The Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute and the Division of Trauma Surgery at Tufts Medical Center host a number of events throughout the year. Please view our events and recent news coverage below.
COVID-19 Safety Tips
The COVID-19 crisis has caused many families to be forced to stay at home. As a parent, it is imperative to maintain a safe environment for your child at home. Here are some helpful articles in preparing to do so:
Delivery of Key Clubby Bears
Robert E. (Bob) Tandy, of the Georgetown (MA) Kiwanis Club distributes our Key Clubby Bears to the Fire Department, Emergency Medical Services, and Police Department. These cuddly bears are distributed throughout the community to provide comfort to those receiving them
KPTI Patient Speaks at Convention
We are so grateful to KPTI patient Raymond Kallely and his family for being guest speakers at the Kiwanis District of New England & Bermuda 2019 Mid-Winter Convention in Sturbridge, MA. The Kallely family is pictured at the Convention with Kiwanis Foundation of New England President Jack Brown.
Marshfield Key Club Blankets Donation
Marshfield, MA Key Club donates blankets to Tufts Medical Center Emergency Room pediatric patients. Pictured: Pedi ED Nurse Jolie O’Mara, Charlie Simpson, Hailey Kelley, Child Life Specialist Jen Griffin, Jake Willner, Megan Willner and Lizzie Keyes.
KPTI at Lowell General Hospital Bike Rodeo
Nurses from Lowell General Hospital, Leslie Rideout, Trauma Nurse Coordinator, Tufts Medical Center, and Key Club students from Chelmsford High School, Alexa Schaefer and Sumana Sithalam.
Circle K Students Help Prepare Child Safety Educational Materials
College students from the Northeastern University and Bridgewater State Circle K clubs spent a recent Saturday morning at Tufts Medical Center, helping Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute (KPTI) staff prepare child safety educational materials for new parents in the Mother Infant Unit and the NICU. They also delivered hand-made fleece blankets to the Pediatric Emergency Room to keep our pediatric patients warm and comfortable. A huge thanks to all of the students who volunteered their time on a cold winter morning to help keep kids safe from traumatic injury.
Key Club Students Learn about Concussion Prevention at KPTI Open House 
Nearly 400 high school and college students from across New England attended the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute (KPTI) Open House on December 3. In addition to generously donating toys and blankets for pediatric patients, the students learned about concussion prevention and toured many areas of the hospital including the Emergency Room, Pediatric Intensive Care unit and the Helipad. KPTI thanks the many Key Club, Circle K and Kiwanis members who worked so hard to make this event a success. Thanks also to our fantastic guest speakers Esther Lovett and Barbara Piette.
KPTI Supports Hospital at Country Heals
Al Paul, Kiwanis Club of Rutland, VT, led a stellar fundraising drive to raise money for the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute (KPTI) through Tufts Medical Center’s Country Heals 2016 event. Al is one of the 4 top fundraisers for the event, bringing in over $3,000 as of late October, with more funds on the way. Pictured in the photo at the event are (from left): Pamela Anderson, Secretary, Revere Kiwanis Club; Leslie Rideout, FNP, PhD, Tufts Medical Center/KPTI; Al Paul; and Lauren Rice, MD, Tufts Medical Center Emergency Department.
Thank you for helping families stay safe!
Huge thanks to the Boston University, Northeastern University and Bridgewater State Circle K Clubs for their generous contribution of time, energy and effort to the Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute. Fifteen members of these college clubs donated their free time on Saturday Feb 6 to come together in the KPTI office at Tufts Medical Center where they prepared kits of early childhood injury prevention materials for new parents throughout New England, and brought donated toys to the Pediatric Emergency Room to calm and comfort children while they receive treatment. High fives to these students for their dedication and caring!
The Hazards of Button Batteries
Ingestion of button batteries by children is a serious health threat. According to the American Academy of Pediartics, incidents of injury and death from battery ingestion is rising.
Read a report from the AAP here >
Learn about button battery safety >
Helpful information on selecting and installing a car seat
Kiwanis Pediatric Trauma Institute (KPTI) offers the following videos from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Public Safety and Security on how to select and install a car seat that keeps your child safe:
English: https://youtu.be/nVMSGdthmyU
Spanish: https://youtu.be/zZjEQEGEW7M
KPTI 2015 Open House Draws Nearly 400 Students
Hundreds of Key Club (high school) and Circle K (college) students from across New England came together on December 5 to learn more about patient care for pediatric trauma survivors of violence and terrorism. Guest speakers David Yepez and Sydney Corcoran, teenage survivors of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings, described their ongoing journeys of recovery and healing from the physical and emotional injuries they sustained. In addition, the parents of David and Sydney shared their experience of supporting and caring for their children during their healing process. Students traveled from as far away as Northern Maine and New Hampshire and as close by as Boston to join their peers for this day of learning and connection.
New Report About Keeping Children Safe in Homes
The SafeKids organization recently released a new report on how to keep children safe in homes. Check it out here >
Thank You Camille and Michael!
On December 23,2013, University of Maine students Camille Cramer and Michael Kelley delivered donated toys, books, CDs, DVDs, art supplies, and other activities including a portable DVD player to help our pediatric patients while they are treated and recover at the Tufts Medical Center. Many thanks for your thoughtful efforts on behalf of our patients and their families.
Thank You Meriden CT Kiwanis Club!
The Kiwanis Club of Meriden Connecticut donated handmade hospital dolls on August 24,2013 for our patients. These dolls help children understand and become comfortable with their injuries and treatments. Many thanks to the Meriden CT Kiwanis Club for their generosity.
The Hazards of Button Batteries
Ingestion of button batteries by children is a serious health threat. According to the American Academy of Pediartics, incidents of injury and death from battery ingestion is rising. Read a report from the AAP here.
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission A Call to Action:
Parents and children need to "Pool Safely" in pools and spas over the July 4th holiday. 26 children drown in pools and spas during the week of July 4th, on average.
Course in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS)
KTPI and the adult trauma service at Tufts Medical Center will be offering the ATLS course from the American Colege of Surgeons on October 3 & 4, 2013 at Tufts Medical Center. To register for this course call Leslie Rideout at 617-636-1380 or email lrideout@tuftsmedicalcenter.org
Boston Marathon Bombing Aftermath
In light of the horrific events at the Boston Marathon on April 15, we would like to offer our deepest sympathies to the victims and our most heartfelt wishes for recovery of those injured.
For children who witnessed these events or those who are frightened by hearing about them and are feeling anxious, the following links may help parents and caregivers reassure their children.
AACAP - Disaster and Resource Center
AACAP - Helping Children After a Disaster
AACAP - Children and the News
AACAP - Children and Grief
AACAP - PTSD
AACAP - Talking to Children About Terrorism and War
NCTSN - After the Injury
Donations for our Patients
On April 30, 2013, the Bentley College Circle K delivered beautiful, hand-made fleece blankets for our patients.
On October 4, 2012 the Kiwanis Club of Chelsea, MA donated toys, books, games, art supplies, videos and other gifts for the playroom.
On May 1. 2012, Bentley College Circle K visited with lovely fleece blankets they made for the patients of Tufts Medical Center. Leslie Rideout, Pediatric Trauma Nurse Coordinator accepts the blankets.
On January 2, 2012, members of the Haverhill, MA Key Club visited with a large bag of beautiful fleece blankets. Accepting the blankets is Sharon Rothwell (PICU Nurse and representative of the Pieces of Home Backpack Project) and Vicky Guerina (KPTI).
On the same day, Taylor Levesque, college freshman and founder of Project Share-A-Smile, arrived with 80 tote bags filled with toys and activities. She had carefully sorted everything so that each bag was specific for gender and age. Accepting her donation is Laurie Corbett (Child Life Specialist), Sharon Rothwell and Vicky Guerina.
THANK YOU to everyone for the very generous and thoughtful gifts for our patients!
Everyone at the table
On November 3, 2011, KPTI partnered with the Emergency Department at Tufts Medical Center and the Massachusetts Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention Center to hold a one day conference addressing the problems of shaken baby syndrome, a form of abusive head trauma. The day was a success with attendees from all around the state who learned about the many aspects of this issue including testimony from parents whose children died from shaking. It was very informative and emotional.
In addition, the Massachusetts Shaken Baby Remembrance Quilt was unveiled. The quilt is composed of squares each commemorating a child lost or injured by shaking. The "traveling quilt" is designed to be rented out for display in malls, city halls, libraries, hospitals, etc. to raise awareness of this problem. Brochures about what to do to prevent shaken baby syndrome will be available for handout at the quilt showings.
This is a great project for Kiwanis Clubs in Massachusetts to provide safety information to their communities. For information about rental of the quilt contact The Shaken Baby Prevention Center, Massachusetts Citizens for Children: phone: 617-742-8555, email: info@masskids.org, website: www.masskids.org
