ThinkFirst SIU School of Medicine

SIU School of Medicine's ThinkFirst program emphasizes the life-changing impact of brain and spinal cord injuries and how to prevent them. Through an grant from Illinois Department of Transportation, we raise injury awareness by stressing traffic safety and preventing car crashes, most specifically in teens and tweens. ThinkFirst health pro­fessionals and an injured speaker present to high school students about driving under the influence, speeding, distracted driving and brain and spinal cord injury prevention. Presentations for middle school and elementary students are interactive, specifically addressing seat belt usage, bike helmets, pedestrian and bike safety, with a focus on brain and spinal cord anatomy. We also function as nationally certified child passenger safety technicians.