About the Level One Trauma Center at University of Chicago

2026 PBS Coverage and Interview with Dr. Selwyn Rogers, my sponsoring leadership. Dr. Rogers and Dr. Wilson are building something special on Chicago's South Side.

My Story and Project

I'm supporting the Level One Trauma Center at the University of Chicago, the only trauma center in Chicago's South Side, as it faces an exceedingly large number of patients yearly. It's a desert of emergency care need and the work has only just begun. They need OUR support during these challenging times, as they support a community in need.

I am planning to do survey research on four (4) candidate topics that are being discussed with Dr. Wilson and Dr. Rogers, and are subject to change, at the University of Chicago over the summer of 2026 and onward. The most promising findings will lead to follow up research in 2027.

Funding

When looking for funding, there wasn't enough funding at the University of Chicago to support my work, so I have decided to secure funding myself in pursuit of this organization and I am here on GoFundMe looking for people to help provide some assistance with my research.

My Research Program

I am looking to perform research on a holistic look at the trauma center, from the admission and care of the patients to the discharge and assistance to those who came into the unit.

1. Emergency Medical Services(EMS) evaluation vs trauma bay evaluation

Trauma handoff from EMS to the trauma team occurs in chaotic and time-sensitive matters where communication issues can affect fast-paced decision-making and survival rates. Prior work on this topic shows that EMS to trauma teams during handoff is often suboptimal and that structured handoff processes may reduce omissions and errors. If there is a consistent increase in trauma level shortly after being admitted into the trauma bay is a consistent understanding that this could improve trauma bay communication and accelerate critical interventions.

2. Clinical Activity of Trauma Surgeons and Identification of Possible AI Support

Acute care and trauma surgery services operate in a demanding environment characterized by unique patient situations and large procedure volume that comes with a high patient load. Although recent studies have identified a strain on staff care and surgeons, there is a potential for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to improve trauma systems through volume forecasting and documentation assistance; however, there remains a scarcity of center-specific data. Specifically, an analysis of a one-year time frame of trauma surgeon activities would be used to determine which routine tasks are most suitable for AI-driven solutions.

3. Predictors of Nonlinear Projectile Trajectory in Gunshot Wounds

Gunshot wounds often produce injury patterns that are not obvious from external entry and exit wounds alone. Modern CT can be used to identify the trajectory. Much of the recent literature is review-based/imaging-focused, as there is limited trauma-center data quantifying how often apparent trajectory deviation occurs and which anatomic factors associated with patients affect the path of bullets.

4. Violence Recovery Program Support and Needs

UChicago has been promoting and sharing the violence recovery program across the nation, but looking into specific care that has been provided the most, along with the frequency, could help with preliminary suggestions for patients who enroll in the violence recovery program. If there is an increased understanding of these patterns, it could improve resource allocation, patient engagement, and post injury outcomes.

In appreciation of all who help with my research, I will share the results from my research as thanks to all who support these important projects.

Clinical research studies typically need around $14,000 of funding. I am currently asking for the minimum to make it through this project, but I would appreciate anything extra people could lend so that we can thoroughly cover all of the projects above.