Medical students learn much about treating gunshot wounds, trauma and shock, but little about preventing gun violence or even talking to patients about the problem. To correct that situation, the University of Illinois Student Chapter of Physicians for Social Responsibility is holding an all-day conference entitled Medical Students Unite to End Gun Violence to educate fellow students in the health professions and motivate them to take action.

Saturday, Sept. 23
8:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.

Rush University Medical School
600 S. Paulina St., room 976

The conference has been organized to encourage student health professionals to join in fighting the epidemic of gun violence.

The event includes keynote speaker Richard Withers, from the Firearm Injury Center at the Medical College of Wisconsin; a testimonial on the consequences of gun violence from Herman, a life-long resident of the Cabrini Green housing project; a role-playing exercise teaching physicians how to counsel patients who are the victims or perpetrators of gun violence; information on programs available in the city, like the Chicago Project for Violence Prevention, and a discussion of policy options.

Other featured speakers include:

• Dr. Katherine Christoffel, a pediatrician at Children's Memorial Hospital and director of the Handgun Epidemic Lowering Plan (HELP) Network;
• Dr. Michelle Gittler, director of the Spinal Cord Injury Program at Schwab Rehabilitation Hospital;
• Dr. Mitra Kalelkar, Cook County deputy medical examiner; and
• Dr. Joe DiCara, director of the Chicago Youth Programs.

The conference is being held in conjunction with the First Monday 2000 Campaign. The First Monday Campaign (named for the first Monday in October, when the Supreme Court opens its session) is an annual project of the Alliance for Justice, which encourages law students to become more active in social justice issues. This year, the Alliance chose the theme of gun violence prevention and joined forces with Physicians for Social Responsibility.