Unintentional injuries are the leading cause of death in our nation for persons aged 1 to 44 years. In 1997, as a first year fellow in pediatric emergency medicine (PEM), this statement paved the way for Dr. Gittelman's future academic and advocacy career. At that time, published articles described how pediatric residents received little information about injury prevention (IP) and advocacy; thus, pediatricians infrequently provided families with IP information. In response, he worked with others at his institution to initiate a mandatory two-week course for all pediatric residents about IP and advocacy. After fifteen years, this successful course has produced pediatric residents with more experience in discussing anticipatory guidance with families, a stronger background in the principles of IP, and pediatricians that are more involved with the communities they service.

In 2000, Dr. Gittelman worked with another PEM physician at his hospital to start the Injury Free Coalition for Kids in Greater Cincinnati (IFCK-C). Their theory to reduce Cincinnati injuries was to provide youth with safe play places and engage them in supervised, coordinated activities during high injury times. They built more than 12 playgrounds, a football stadium, a safety resource center within their emergency department, and spearheaded construction of speed bumps in high pedestrian-injury areas. Supervised activities to engage youth during out-of-school hours included: after-school programs, summer classes, a Friday night basketball league, and a football league. Their efforts resulted in a 42% reduction in the rate of childhood injuries over their 5 year intervention period in Avondale, OH. In addition, Dr. Gittelman has become more involved with state and national advocacy efforts to promote IP. These efforts included: a city-wide bike helmet law, a state booster seat law, and helping to establish many policies through the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Section on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention.