First International Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma
The First International Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome was held at the Little America Hotel & Towers in Salt Lake City, Utah. The leadership committee included co-directors Marilyn Sandberg, SSW, Executive Director, Child Abuse Prevention Center, Jacy Showers, EdD, Director, SBS Prevention Plus and sixteen other national experts in the field of child abuse.
Conference Highlights
The First International Conference on Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma drew over 750 attendees from a variety of disciplines, including medical, legal, investigative, prevention and parents. This conference included 89 of the leading experts on shaken baby syndrome.
Many agencies, both local and national, supported this landmark event including: National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect, Independent Order of Foresters, Intermountain Health Care, National Network on Shaken Baby Syndrome Prevention, Child Abuse Prevention Center, Utah.
The intent of the conference was to bring together leading experts on SBS/AHT, interested professionals and family members or children who have been shaken, in order to share information about the medical, legal and prevention challenges associated with SBS/AHT.
Workshops
Child Maltreatment Fatalities: Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat Richard D. Krugman, MD, Dean, University of Colorado School of Medicine
Dr. Krugman focused on lessons learned from decades of multi-disciplinary approaches to the problem of child abuse fatalities. He suggested how to institutionalized what has been learned to make it available throughout the country.
Working Together to Effectively Address Shaken Baby Syndrome Cases: A Combined Response Carolyn J. Levitt, MD, Rob Parrish, JD, Robert Kirschner, MD, Jacy Showers, EdD, Lt. Bill Walsh
Nationally recognized experts presented state-of-the-art overviews of the major pitfalls encountered in identifying, investigating, prosecuting and preventing shaken baby syndrome. This comprehensive summary of medical, forensic, investigative, legal and preventative aspects of SBS/AHT focused on the role of multi-disciplinary professionals in responding to SBS/AHT cases and the importance of communication and coordination.
Those Affected Most by Shaken Baby Syndrome: The Families Elisa Case, Cheri Robertson, Mary Rodenberg-Roberts, JD, LSW, Elizabeth Kenly
A panel of family members who have had firsthand experience with shaken baby syndrome shared passionate and valuable information about implications for system changes. The trauma inherent in their stories provides important understanding for physicians, law enforcement officers, psychologist, social workers, judges, attorneys, prevention specialists and family members.
Where Do We Go From Here? Working Together to Respond to and Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome Carole Jenny, MD, MBA, Ryan Rainey, JD, Jacy Showers, EdD
Leading experts describe a new beginning for comprehensively addressing the problem of abusive head trauma. Drawing on conference findings as well as their own expertise, speakers set a research agenda for shaken baby syndrome and shared a vision for coordinated approaches to SBS/AHT as we continue to look towards the diagnosis and prevention of SBS/AHT.