This article, written by Carol McPhail, first appeared in the USA Health Insider. Mentors and family members celebrated seven teens who marked their graduation from Project Inspire, a hospital-based injury prevention program designed to curb violence among youth through intentional programming and mentorship. The event on Dec. 16 at Bishop State Community College featured slideshow remembrances from the semester interlaced with laughter and a few grateful tears.

The USA Health Building Safer Communities Collaborative team attended the Alabama Juvenile Justice Summit in Orange Beach during the first week of December. Caroline Dodson, the team's research assistant also presented a poster on the program. In this article, Caroline and CHW Denise Shaw share about their experiences attending the conference. The Alabama Juvenile Justice Summit’s purpose was to create a statewide forum where the participants and speakers could collaboratively examine the strengths and challenges of their collective works with youth and families involved in the juvenile justice system.

Recently, the journal Surgery published an article describing the development of the Consortium of Southeast Regional Violence Intervention Programs (CoSERV), with the goal of "fostering collaboration, sharing resources, and aligning advocacy efforts across state lines." Dr. Ashley Williams, CHC director, is a contributor to the article and the development of CoSERV. The article abstract is below. "The Southeastern United States is disproportionately impacted by firearm violence.

The fall 2025 cohort held its first in person session October 7th providing students an opportunity to interact with each other, the program staff, and community mentors. The two-hour session provided learning opportunities with a lot of fun included. The session started with dinner and a time for students to meet interact directly with mentors from the community and from the…

The following excerpt comes from a guest column Dr. Ashley Williams Hogue, director of the USA Health Center for Healthy Communities, wrote for AL.com When you work in trauma, you see a lot. But what stays with you is how young some of our patients are, especially those with firearm-related injuries. As a resident rotating through trauma surgery a decade ago, I was struck not just by how common gunshot wounds were, but by the ages of those who were brought to us for care.

The following article originally appeared in the Med School Watercooler. Keegan Musaalo, a third-year medical student at the Whiddon College of Medicine, presented research in September at the American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) annual meeting in Boston. The presentation, titled “The Financial Impact of Firearm-Related Injuries: A One-Year Single-Institution Cost Analysis,” examined the financial impact of firearm-related injuries on both patients and the hospital system.

The STEMM Scholars for Environmental Justice program held an informational session for interested students and their parents on September 17th. During the session, program coordinator Karla McCants and CHC Director Dr. Ashley Williams provided a brief overview of the STEMM Scholars for Environmental Justice program, the structure for the fall cohort, benefits for students, and how families and schools can support students in the program.

HALO: Healing and Life Opportunities, the hospital-based violence intervention program at University Hospital, held its open house to connect with partners and hospital staff. The article below was originally posted by Fox10 News. Click the image to watch the Fox10 video. Dr. Ashley Williams, director of the Center for Healthy Communities Last year, the city announced plan for a hospital-based violence intervention program to help break the cycle of violent crime while helping victims heal.

Denise Shaw, a community health worker at the USA Health Center for Healthy Communities, provided this short reflection on her time in the Community Health Worker Course and becoming a CHW. I was not familiar with the profession of Community Health Workers prior to learning about the training course. I had questions about the job responsibilities, but the more I heard the more I liked it.

The Community Health Workers (CHW) from the USA Health Building Safer Communities Collaborative closed CHW Awareness Week 2025 with a brainstorming breakfast for CHWs from around Mobile County. The 11 CHWs attending the event represented organizations such as the Mobile County Health Department, local clinics, and churches. The discussion focused on serving youth and families caught up in the criminal legal system.

Community Health Workers (CHW) from the USA Health Building Safer Communities Collaborative launched CHW Awareness Week 2025 with a lunch and learn for Mobile Public School System social workers and lead nurses. The event highlighted the work of CHWs and the Building Safer Communities Collaborative’s work with justice involved youth. Ms. Janel Lowman, from USA Health Mitchell Cancer Institute, discussed the role of CHWs and care access in the community.

Recently, the USA Health Center for Healthy Communities partnered with Amity Missionary Baptist Church to host its fifth Medical Townhall. The event, held on a Saturday morning, featured a panel of six health care professionals responding to questions from the 25 attendees. Pastor Jeffey Mackie opened the event and greeted the crowd. Dr. Ashley Williams, director of the USA Health Center for Healthy Communities, introduced the panel and explained the purpose for the day.

Rae Beck, a student in the STEMM Scholars for Environmental Justice Summer 2025 cohort, explored the vulnerability of unhoused persons in extreme heat.

The USA Health Center for Healthy Communities is partnering with Pastor Jeffery Mackie and the congregation at Amity Missionary Baptist Church to host a Medical Town Hall on August 23, 2025 from 10 am to 12 pm. Prior to the town, the church will also hold a clothing giveaway prior to the townhall.

This article originally appeared in the August 5, 2025, USA Health Insider. Step into the powerful world of youth expression and resilience through Project Inspire’s participant-created exhibit, “Arts for Justice: Amplifying Youth Voices.” This vibrant showcase highlights pottery, murals, and photovoice – each piece telling a story of transformation, courage, and hope.     The exhibit, which is free and open to the public, will be on display from Aug.

The community health worker (CHW) team assists individuals and families access to the services and resources they need. Recently, a family impacted by interactions with the criminal legal system contacted the CHW team asking for help getting ready for the new school year. In particular, the children needed the required school uniforms, and the parent didn’t have the resources to purchase them.

Juliahnna Schlosser, a student in the STEMM Scholars for Environmental Justice Summer 2025 cohort, explored the impact of cigarette smoke on plants to understand how second hand smoke affects the environment.