2025 CONFERENCE
Spokane
FIREARM VIOLENCE PREVENTION
CONFERENCE INFORMATION
General Conference Inquiries: Andrew Ogwang
Public Health Systems Administrator andrew.ogwang@excelsiorwellness.org
Photo/Video Statement
Attendees grant the 2025 Firearm Violence Prevention Conference the right and permission to use photographs and/or video recordings on Conference and other websites and in publications, promotional flyers, educational materials, or for any other similar purpose without compensation to attendees.
Attendees understand and agree that such photographs and/or video recordings may be placed on the Internet. Attendees also understand and agree that they may be identified by name and/or title in printed, Internet, or broadcast information that might accompany the photographs and/or video recordings.
If attendees do not wish to be included in published materials, please request a sticker upon registration check-in at the event.
Committee Members
Demetrius Palmer, Vice President of Community Outreach & Engagement
Kitara Johnson-Jones, MAM, Chief People Officer
Shereese Mortis, Public Relations and Engagement
Srija Poudel, Master of Public Health Intern-Eastern Washington University
Anastacia Lee, MPH, Clinical Research Coordinator
Yunhee Bae, PhD, Senior Data Scientist
Malecka Nachtsheim, EdM, CHW, AAC, Research Assistant, Office of Research & Evaluation
Information and Technology Team, Excelsior Wellness
On behalf of the Office of Research and Evaluation, it is an honor and a privilege to extend a warm welcome to all attending the Firearm Violence Prevention Conference 2025. This conference represents an invaluable opportunity for collective engagement, knowledge sharing, and interdisciplinary collaboration focusing on the critical mission of building safer communities. Today, we celebrate our shared achievements and learn from one another's expertise and experiences as we jointly chart the path toward future breakthroughs in firearm violence prevention.
This year's conference theme, "Strengthening Community Resilience: Collaborative Strategies for Firearm Violence Prevention for a Safer Spokane," encapsulates our unwavering commitment to advancing innovative, evidence-based strategies to reduce firearm-related injuries and fatalities within our community. It is a call to action for all of us to leverage our collective expertise and resources while remaining open to new ideas, perspectives, and partnerships that will drive meaningful change.
As we engage in discussions throughout this event, I encourage you to embrace the spirit of collaboration, curiosity, and innovation that characterizes our work. Let us use this moment to forge new professional connections and ignite a shared sense of purpose that will propel us toward sustainable solutions in the months and years ahead
I extend my deepest gratitude to our esteemed community partners, whose steadfast dedication and tireless engagement serve as the foundation of our collective efforts. Your invaluable grassroots involvement and outreach across diverse Spokane neighborhoods are critical to amplifying our impact and ensuring that our work reflects the needs and aspirations of those we serve.
We offer our heartfelt appreciation to our generous sponsors, whose unwavering support makes this gathering possible. Your commitment to advancing the work of this conference and its attendees is a testament to your belief in the power of collaboration and shared responsibility.
Once again, welcome to the Firearm Violence Prevention Conference 2025. I trust this event will foster insightful discussions, meaningful collaborations, and lasting partnerships that will continue to resonate far beyond this gathering.
Best Regards,
Anna Tresidder, Ph.D Vice President, Office of Research and Evaluation
Excelsior Wellness
509.559.3100
EXCELSIOR WELLNESS
OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND EVALUATION (O.R.E.) TEAM
ANDREW OGWANG PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATOR
LAUREN DODIER RESEARCH ASSISTANT
ANNA TRESIDDER VICE PRESIDENT, OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND EVALUATION
MALECKA NACHTSHEIM
RESEARCH ASSISTANT
ANASTACIA LEE CLINICAL RESEARCH COORDINATOR
YUNHEE BAE
SENIOR DATA SCIENTIST
SUPPORTING EXCELSIOR
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Wednesday, May 21, 2025
Location: Event Space
9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
9:30 AM – 9:35 AM
5 mins
9:40 AM - 9:45 AM
5 mins 9:50 AM – 10:10 AM
5 mins 10:15 AM - 10:20 AM
5 mins 10:25 AM – 10:55 AM
5 mins 11:00 AM – 11:30 AM
5 mins 11:35 AM – 12:05 PM
12:05 PM - 12:45 PM
Poster Session
Registration and Welcome Breakfast
Message from Excelsior Wellness CEO
Transition/Introductions
Message from VP of the Office of Research and Evaluation
Transition/Introductions
Community Needs Assessment and Strategic Action
Plan Overview
Transition/Introductions
Guest Speaker
Transition/Introductions
Firearm Violence as a Public Health Crisis: DataDriven Prevention Strategies
Transition/Introductions
The Impact of Firearm Injuries on Youth: A Medical Perspective
Transition/Introductions
Building Community-Based Crisis Response: Suicide
Prevention and Firearm Safety
Lunch and Networking
Location: Classroom Space (12:30 PM – 01:15 PM)
Madison Ediger
Julie A. Richards
Belén Sánchez, Laura
Johnson
Nara Shin, LaVitta
Joelle Williams
Extreme Risk Protection Orders: A Community Firearm Violence Prevention Tool
Implementing a Firearm Lock Distribution Program in a Large Pacific Northwest Healthcare System
Harborview Medical Center Violence Intervention and Prevention Team Serving the Spokane Region's Victims of Firearm Injuries
Intersecting Crises: Preventing Intimate Partner Violence and Firearm Risks Among Women of Color Through Trauma-Informed, Community-Based Interventions
Demetrius Palmer-MC
Andrew Hill
Demetrius Palmer - MC
Anna Tresidder, PhD
Demetrius Palmer - MC
Andrew Ogwang and Lauren Dodier
Demetrius Palmer - MC
TBD
Demetrius Palmer - MC
Bob Lutz, MD, MPH
Demetrius Palmer - MC
Mike Van Dyke, D. O
Demetrius Palmer - MC
Sabrina Votava, MA, LMHC
Studio Room
Spokane Regional Health District
Kaiser Permanente WA Health Research Institute
Harborview Medical Center Eastern Washington University
SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE (cont’d)
Location: Event Space
01:20 PM – 01:50 PM 9:30 AM – 9:35 AM
5 mins
1:55 PM – 2:25 PM
5 mins
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM
5 mins 3:05 PM – 3:35 PM
5 mins
3:40 PM – 4:00 PM 4:00 PM
Breaking the Link: Domestic Violence and Firearm Safety
Transition/Introductions
Safe Storage Saves Lives: Effective Community
Education Programs
Transition/Introductions
Threat Assessment and Prevention: A Coordinated
Community Approach
Transition/Introductions
Local Policy Solutions: How City-Level Actions Can Reduce Firearm Violence in Spokane
Refreshments Break
Panel Discussion Featuring all Keynote Speakers
Networking
TaffyHunter,MSHS, HS-BCP
DemetriusPalmer-MC MiaParker,B,S
DemetriusPalmer-MC SalliejoEvers
DemetriusPalmer-MC PaulDillon
DemetriusPalmer-MC AnnaTresidder,PhD
Excelsior Wellness’ mission aligns people, institutions, and resources to restore and preserve our community's mental health, emotional health, physical health and their well-being.
Mia Parke
Fatality Review and Prevention Coord Spokane Regional Health D
Mia (she/her) coordinates Spokane Regional District's Child Fatality Review (CFR implements childhood injury and v prevention projects in collaboration community partners CFR is a confidentia health process involving the review of ind child deaths by a multidisciplinary team to e understanding of why children die and d recommendations to prevent future, similar Mia completed her Bachelor of Science i Psychology at the University of Minneso highest ranked developmental psychology U.S. She is currently completing her Ma Public Health at the University of Nebraska Center. Mia has received awards for leaders scholarly excellence in equity and diversity.
Bob Lutz, MD, MPH
Bob was the Health Officer for Spokane County, WA from 2017-2020 and Asotin County from 2018-present. He joined the Washington Department of Health in 2020 as its COVID 19 Medical Advisor through August 2022 Subsequently, He served as one of DOH's four Regional Medical Officers through April 2024, when he returned to local public health His recognition of societal factors contributing to health inequities underlies his commitment to improving the lives of everyone, especially those challenged to do so for themselves.
Sabrina Votava, MA, LMHC Founder and Executive Director, FailSafe for Life
Sabrina Votava (She/Her) is an educator on suicide prevention and intervention who has worked with hundreds of individuals and organizations around the country to help them recognize the signs of suicide and to give them the tools and resources to keep a person in a mental health emergency safe. Having worked in this field for over two decades, Sabrina's passion is evident in her trainings. She is the founder and Executive Director of a Spokane based suicide prevention non-profit named FailSafe for Life and is also a licens QPR M creato
Taffy Hunter, MSHS, HS-BCP Executive Director, Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition
Taffy Hunter (She/Her) is an Executive Directo and Board-Certified Human Services Practitioner dedicated to advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity Inclusion, Access, and Opportunity through impactful community initiatives With a passion for advocacy, Hunter began her career as a Domestic Violence Legal and Family Advocate in 2015, earning Washington State certification in 2021 In addition to her advocacy work, she provides education and training to empowe others. She also contributes to the field with published articles in the National Organization for Human Services, Burman University, and Cornerstone of Hope.
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Mike Van Dyke, D.O
Pediatric Intensivist, Sacred Heart Children's Hospital/Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
As a pediatric critical care physician, I have taken care of children hospitalized with severe injuries from firearms. Additionally, I have advocated at the state level for common sense firearm safety. I envision and strive for a future where we eliminate firearm deaths and injuries for all children.
Salliejo Evers,
Regional Prevention Coordinator - WA, ID, AK, Department of Homeland Security - CP3
Salliejo Evers is the Regional Prevention Coordinator for Washington State, Idaho, and Alaska for the Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) within the Department of Homeland Security In this capacity, Evers works to fulfill the mission of CP3: to strengthen our nation's ability to prevent targeted violence and terrorism through funding, training, increased public awareness, and the establishment of partnerships across every level of government, the private sector, and in local communities. Evers previously worked with PreK-12 education leadership, emergency management, and emergency response agencies in Washington State to build safer learning environments and establish relationships in support of more resilient school communities. Evers is a Certified Master Trainer for the Department of Homeland Security, National Threat Evaluation and Reporting Program Office, and is an active member of the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP) Evers' completed graduate work in Homeland Security and Disaster Management She attended Gonzaga University for her undergraduate degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology
Demetrius Palmer
Vice President of Outreach and Engagement, Excelsior Wellness
Demetrius Palmer is a dynamic leader in community engagement, health, and wellness. As Vice President of Community Outreach and Engagement at Excelsior Wellness, he drives initiatives that enhance healthcare access and strategic partnerships A recognized leader, Demetrius has received the 2024 Rising Star Award from the Spokane Journal of Business and was named one of Spokane/CDA Living Magazine’s Top 20 Entrepreneurs Under 40. His expertise in leadership, community engagement, and youth development makes him a powerful voice in the field of social impact.
SHADLE PARK LIBRARY SITE MAP
Address: 2111 W Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205
Please note: We shall use 3-Studio room, 4-Event Space and 10-Classroom
Thank you for attending the Conference Event!
On behalf of Spokane Public Library and Excelsior Wellness, we thank you for joining us today and helping us take steps to ensure a brighter and safer future for our community.
CONFERENCE SpokaneFIREARM VIOLENCE PREVENTION