The Estell Lenita Johnson Memorial Award
The inaugural Estell Lenita Johnson Memorial Award goes to a program that reflects the work Lenita cared about most—bringing practical, life-saving education to families and caregivers who are often overlooked.
The winning program, “Scaling Pediatric Injury Prevention Education in NYC,” is led by Gia Ramsey from Maimonides Medical Center and Julia Glauboch from Staten Island University Hospital. Together, they have built a strong partnership to reach preteens, young adolescents, and non-traditional caregivers with clear, hands-on safety training. Through Safe Sitter®, Safe@Home, and the new Grandparents: Getting Started course, they have created a model that fits the needs of real families in diverse New York City neighborhoods.
Their collaboration has already helped more than 300 young people and caregivers gain the confidence to respond to emergencies, stay safe at home, and care for younger children. And their leadership has sparked something larger: new hospitals across the city are now joining the effort, supported by a regional grant that will bring this training to every borough.
Gia and Julia's work shows what thoughtful, community-minded injury prevention can look like when people are committed to reaching those who need it most. Their program honors Lenita's legacy by expanding opportunity, strengthening local partnerships, and giving families the tools to protect their children.
About the Award
The Estell Lenita Johnson Memorial Award honors the enduring legacy of Estell Lenita Johnson, who served as the Communications Director for the Injury Free Coalition for Kids from 2000 until her retirement in 2023. Lenita was a passionate advocate for injury prevention, particularly in underprivileged communities, and was instrumental in establishing National Injury Prevention Day in 2020.
This award recognizes a program presented at the annual Injury Free Coalition for Kids National Conference that exemplifies Lenita's commitment to promoting injury prevention in underserved populations. Eligible programs should demonstrate innovative approaches to reducing injuries and fostering safety in communities facing socioeconomic challenges.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria:
- Programs must be submitted as abstracts for presentation at the Injury Free Coalition for Kids National Conference.
- Submissions should highlight efforts that address injury prevention in underprivileged or underserved communities.
- Programs will be evaluated based on their impact, innovation, and alignment with Lenita Johnson's vision of equitable injury prevention.
The recipient of the Estell Lenita Johnson Memorial Award will be announced during the National Conference in December, celebrating a program that continues Lenita's mission to create safer environments for all children and families.
About Estell Lenita Johnson
Estell Lenita Johnson served as the Communications Director for the Injury Free Coalition for Kids from 2000 until her retirement in 2023. Lenita founded National Injury Prevention Day, an initiative that would unite partners across numerous organizations to create meaningful change in injury prevention for children and adults nationwide.
Upon her retirement, Lenita was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Injury Free Coalition for Kids, recognizing her invaluable contributions to the Coalition and the field of injury prevention. Tragically, Lenita passed away in 2024 due to a preventable medical accident, adding even greater significance and urgency to her life's work of reducing the severity and occurrence of injuries.