#United States #National Harbor #Safe Kids #Joseph L. Wright #C. Everett Koop

Dr. Joseph L. Wright Receives C. Everett Koop Medal

Dr. Joseph L. Wright, M.D., M.P.H., the Senior Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), recently received the prestigious C. Everett Koop Medal of Distinction. This honor was bestowed upon him at the Safe Kids Worldwide Childhood Injury Prevention Convention, also known as PrevCon, the largest global gathering aimed specifically at preventing injuries among children.

At this three-day event held in National Harbor, Maryland, pediatric experts, advocates, and policymakers gathered to exchange ideas and strategies focused on improving child safety. The C. Everett Koop Award is named in honor of the former U.S. Surgeon General and founding chairman of Safe Kids Worldwide, who made significant contributions to child safety initiatives.

Michelle Riley-Brown, president and CEO of Children's National Hospital, presented the medal to Dr. Wright. She stated, "For almost four decades, Dr. Wright has been one of the most influential voices for promoting advocacy, access, and research in the pediatric and injury prevention communities. His efforts embody Dr. Koop's legacy of fighting for all children across diverse communities."

Torine Creppy, president of Safe Kids Worldwide, also praised Dr. Wright for his visionary leadership and dedicated service to improving child safety. Since taking up his role at AAP in 2023, he has spearheaded a national strategy designed to advance health equity for children.

Before joining AAP, Dr. Wright held significant positions, including Chief Medical Officer at the University of Maryland Medical System and Chair of Pediatrics at the Howard University College of Medicine. His leadership roles at Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., which spanned over twenty years, saw him establish the Child Health Advocacy Institute—the first such unit located in an academic medical center.

Dr. Wright's illustrious career includes serving as the inaugural State EMS Medical Director for Pediatrics at the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems for seventeen years. As an adjunct professor at George Washington University, he plays a vital role in training new leaders in both emergency medicine and health policy. His academic contributions are notable, with more than 120 publications to his name.

Additionally, he has held esteemed positions on committees such as the National EMS Advisory Council and the Pediatric Advisory Committee of the FDA, where he advocated for children's health and safety. His expertise has led him to testify before Congress and several legislative bodies on matters related to child safety and well-being.

Acknowledged multiple times by AAP for his career achievements in injury prevention, Dr. Wright has also been recognized by his peers at the University of Maryland School of Public Health and George Washington University for his outstanding professional contributions. He earned his Bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University, followed by a Doctor of Medicine from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, and a Master of Public Health from George Washington University.

Reflecting on his honor, Dr. Wright stated, "I am honored to receive this recognition from Safe Kids Worldwide, which is doing remarkable work to reduce preventable injuries and deaths among children. Around the globe, nearly one million children die from injuries each year, and almost all of these tragedies are preventable. Only through sustained efforts and meaningful collaboration can we reduce disparities in child safety and guarantee optimal care for all children and families everywhere."

About Safe Kids Worldwide: This nonprofit organization strives to minimize preventable injuries among children aged 0-19, fostering systems that support injury prevention initiatives. Since its inception in 1988, Safe Kids and its partners have successfully reduced childhood fatalities due to injuries by over 60% in the U.S. Visit safekids.org for more information on their mission and efforts.