Congratulations to Dex Tuttle, injury prevention program manager at Children’s Minnesota, for being named the 2023 Program Coordinator of the Year by the Injury Free Coalition for Kids!
The Injury Free Coalition for Kids is a national injury prevention program comprised of hospital-based, community-oriented programs whose efforts are anchored in research, education and advocacy. Currently the Coalition includes over 42 sites, each housed in the participating institution’s trauma center.
Each year, the Injury Free Coalition for Kids recognizes an injury prevention program coordinator who has developed and implemented local or statewide injury free program and/or policy initiatives that have resulted in improved outcomes. Dex was honored with the award at the 28th Annual Injury Free Coalition for Kids Conference in December 2023.
As an injury prevention program manager at Children’s Minnesota, Dex creates meaningful partnerships in the community by connecting with families in hopes of preventing serious injury. His work includes education on proper car seat use, the importance of helmets, home safety, caregiver wellbeing and many other topics.
Dex’s enthusiasm for injury prevention education and passion for reaching families and caregivers who are otherwise left out of the national conversations about safety are inspiring. He is the only child passenger safety technician (CPST) instructor in Minnesota to be certified to teach the Safe Travel for All Children course and regularly teaches the national CPST training course and the Safe Native American Passengers courses. He collaborated with the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board – which serves 18 tribes in four states – to develop a child passenger safety program, including leading CPST courses and mentoring new CPSTs and their first CPST instructor. This collaboration speaks volumes of his dedication to improving the health of all children, and thoughtfully embracing the cultures and life experiences of the communities and caregivers he serves.
Additionally, in collaboration with a digital animation company, Dex has helped create and share illustrative injury prevention messaging to families with limited English proficiency. The incorporation of images and positive messaging has allowed safety information to be shared across cultures and language groups. The resources can be found on our website.
Dex also serves on multiple committees and partners with community organizations, including the Trauma Centers Association of America Injury Prevention Committee, Midwest Injury Prevention Alliance and Safe Kids Minnesota. His partnership with over 30 organizations allows injury prevention messaging to reach families throughout the Twin Cities metro.
Read more about Dex’s award here.