Stepping Strong

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Stepping Strong

We transform the lives of trauma patients worldwide through prevention, treatment, and recovery.

The mission of The Gillian Reny Stepping Strong Center for Trauma Innovation is to catalyze trauma innovation for injured civilians and military heroes, through multidisciplinary collaborations across the continuum of trauma care, from prevention to treatment and recovery.

08/25/2026

One in ten trauma patients face catastrophic health bills that exceed 20% of their household income. Healing shouldn’t mean choosing between basic life needs and healthy recovery.

The Stepping Strong Trauma Survivor Fund temporarily eases the financial burdens that patients experience after an injury, covering housing, food, transportation, and utility costs for survivors who need it most.

Learn more at https://steppingstrong.bwh.harvard.edu/trauma-survivor-fund/

08/24/2026

Can you control a prosthetic limb with your thoughts?

Shriya Srinivasan, PhD, is advancing prosthetic technology by rewiring neural pathways so people with limb loss can control their assistive devices more naturally.

Her team's approach uses small muscle grafts connected to nerve endings to prevent painful nerve growth while amplifying control signals from the brain. In early studies, patients have learned to independently activate different muscle groups, creating distinct signals that could control prosthetics more intuitively.

With support from the Stepping Strong Innovator Award, this research could mean improved mobility, greater independence, and life-changing outcomes for patients with limb loss after a traumatic injury.

Learn more: https://steppingstrong.bwh.harvard.edu/2025-stepping-strong-innovator-award-recipients/

08/20/2026

Within the first hour of injury, treatment at a trauma center can save lives.

Stepping Strong Breakthrough Award recipients Zain Hashmi, MD, and Carlos Camargo, MD, DrPH, evaluated existing teletrauma programs and found that they were not widely used, even if the capability for these structures existed. Their team is the first to study whether teletrauma improves injury care and outcomes, while identifying program features that support success.

These insights could guide future policy, funding, and program design to ensure that injured patients receive the right care at the right time.

Learn more at https://steppingstrong.bwh.harvard.edu/2025-breakthrough-award-recipients/

08/17/2026

Minutes matter in bleeding emergencies. Walking blood banks offer an innovative solution that can mean the difference between life and death, especially in resource-limited settings. 🩸

In Kenya, Stepping Strong Breakthrough Award recipient Nakul Raykar, MD, has implemented an Emergency Transfusion Protocol that's already changing outcomes for people who suffer a traumatic injury. The model calls on pre-screened volunteer donors to give blood that can be rapidly tested and transfused to trauma patients, helping save lives.

Within the first two weeks, the protocol was activated six times, with preliminary results indicating that the time to transfusion was reduced by one to two days per patient.

Several countries have already expressed interest in adopting similar models, and the work is now the subject of an upcoming documentary from award-winning filmmaker Franco Sacchi, spotlighting the global fight against blood deserts.

This is what research funding can bring to life, and the Stepping Strong Center is proud to support early-stage projects that can have transformative results.

Learn more at: https://steppingstrong.bwh.harvard.edu/research-project/civilian-walking-blood-banks-save-lives-from-traumatic-injury/

08/14/2026

Caring about traumatic injury is ~very~ chic 💅

08/13/2026

Saving lives in Boston and beyond 💪

Building on our Train the Trainer model piloted with Harvard Medical School students, the Stepping Strong Center has partnered with volunteer EMS providers in New Jersey. To date, the program has trained 17 squad members, who have gone on to train 93 people in their communities in naloxone administration and opioid overdose response.

Thank you Scotch Plains Rescue Squad for stepping up to train your community in lifesaving skills. 🚑

08/12/2026

Technically, we do this ➡️

Our work is simple. Transform care for trauma survivors, from prevention to treatment to recovery.

Learn more at steppingstrong.bwh.harvard.edu

08/11/2026

Summer safety is essential to enjoy a happy and healthy season.

See what safety tip you chose and add it to your routine:
🚗 - Place your phone and other distracting items in safe area of your car, tucked away from accessible use

☀️ - Layer up with lightweight, breathable clothing to protect skin from the sun while staying cool and comfortable

🚤 - Always wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket while riding on a boat

🚲 - On bikes, scooters, skateboards, and other micro mobility devices, ensure you are wearing an appropriately fitting helmet and safety gear

🏊‍♀️ - Never swim alone. Bring a buddy with you when you’re cooling off in the water

🔥 - Store flammable items away from heat sources, never leave cooking unattended, and charge electronic devices responsibly to prevent a fire

🚨 - Check your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors every 6 months, aligned with Daylight Saving Time changes

07/30/2026

How does traumatic brain injury contribute to heart disease?

Limin Wu, MD, PhD, is investigating how traumatic brain injury (TBI) affects the heart. After injury, immune cells in the brain release extracellular vesicles that carry inflammatory signals through the bloodstream, where they may reach the heart and contribute to the buildup of fatty deposits that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The Stepping Strong Innovator Award is supporting this research, which could determine whether extracellular vesicles are key drivers of inflammation and heart disease after TBI.

Learn more at BWHSteppingStrong.org.

07/23/2026

How can a robot personalize at-home care for spinal cord injury patients?

Tess Meier, PhD, and Randy Trumbower, PT, PhD, have developed a mobile robotic arm that measures a person's safe range of motion and places objects at challenging distances, reducing the need for in-person evaluation by a clinician.

For the hundreds of thousands of Americans living with spinal cord injury-related arm and hand limitations, this could mean recovering independently and strengthening everyday tasks like eating and personal care without needing constant caregiver support.

The Stepping Strong Innovator Award is supporting this research, which could support personalized recovery at home.

Learn more at BWHSteppingStrong.org

Address

60 Fenwood Road
Boston, MA
02115

Telephone

(617) 525-8919

Website

https://steppingstrong.bwh.harvard.edu/

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