The ATSPA has come a long way since applying for its charter in 1972. Working with its member hospitals, the organization now reaches all corners of the state with trauma prevention programs and resources. The ATSPA reached a turning point in 1980 when Dr. William Host, from Tyler Memorial Hospital, became president of the board of directors and aggressively sought support for the growing organization.

 

After receiving a charter in 1973, the ATSPA embarked on an incredible journey of trauma prevention in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

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Presenting data from the National Head Injury Foundation, they showed how the state could save between $3 to $5 million in life-time costs if just one person was saved from living life as a quadriplegic. This resulted in the ATSPA receiving its first state appropriation, which opened new doors for the organization.

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Over the course of its 50 years, ATSPA has accepted the challenge to safeguard the Commonwealth and prevent injuries across the state. In partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and several foundations, we have been able to offer farm safety equipment to rural communities, bike helmets across the state, tourniquet kits to accompany Stop the Bleed trainings, and much more.
 
In 1989, the ATSPA joined forces with the office of the Cumberland County Coroner to obtain funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation for the creation of South Central PA Highway Safety. This department of the ATSPA focuses on transportation safety, including preventing distracted driving, teen driver safety and many other topics. 

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In 2021, ATSPA obtained the contract for Safe Kids Pennsylvania (SKPA). SKPA is dedicated to keeping kids safe from preventable childhood injury, which is the number one cause of death among children ages 1 to 19. SKPA promotes and supports childhood injury prevention activities through education, collaboration, and advocacy throughout Pennsylvania. Safe Kids Pennsylvania is one of many statewide coalitions under Safe Kids Worldwide, and is led by the American Trauma Society, PA Division. 

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Today, the ATSPA strives to provide injury prevention education throughout the Commonwealth via its partnerships with PA trauma centers, EMS agencies, and community groups. Serving all 67 Pennsylvania counties, the ATSPA proudly serves 47 hospital and trauma center members and 31 EMS agency members.