History of ATSPA

ATSPA has come a long way since applying for its charter in 1972.  It has grown greatly in the number and types of programs and resources available to all Pennsylvanians.  ATSPA reached a turning point around 1980 when Dr. William Host from Tyler Memorial Hospital became president of the board of directors and aggressively sought support for the growing organization.
       

In 1987, Dr. John M. Templeton, pediatric surgeon and Director of Trauma of the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, became the new board president, and Julia Cox was named the new executive director.  They continued the efforts Dr. Host on behalf of ATSPA when they visited the PA legislature to request state funding.  Presenting data from the National Head Injury Foundation, they showed how the state could save between $3 to $5 million dollars in life-time costs if just one person was saved from living a life as a quadriplegic.  This resulted in ATSPA receiving its first state appropriation, which opened new doors for the organization.  Hospitals were recruited as members and ATSPA developed trauma prevention education programs for member hospitals.  ATSPA has been very fortunate to receive state appropriations every year since their initial request in 1987.  The organization has striven to be loyal stewards of the money, providing the Senate with an accounting of their trauma prevention efforts.
 

With progression came expansion, and in 1989, ATSPA joined forces with the office of the Cumberland County Coroner to obtain funds from PennDOT.  South Central PA Highway Safety was created and began operating from the ATSPA offices.  Other changes included the restructuring of the board to reflect a wider geographical and occupational representation.
 

In April 2005, ATSPA relocated to a new office building at 2 Flowers Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA.  The new office building was designed to fit the present and future needs of ATSPA.