Gun violence touches people and communities across the country. PCOM research is focused
on understanding the prevalence of gun violence, improving clinician-patient communications
and increasing awareness of community resources.
PCOM Holistic Approach to Address Gun Violence
The Holistic Approach to Address Gun Violence (HAAGV) special interest group at PCOM
focuses on four areas:
Community outreach: The families and communities served by our urban, suburban and rural campuses in
Philadelphia, PA; Suwanee, GA; and Moultrie, GA, respectively, are all exposed to gun violence in various forms.
Advocacy: PCOM students are passionate. Using their energy, PCOM is well-positioned to advocate
for anti-gun violence legislation and practices.
Healthcare delivery: Processes would be established to screen and refer patients and families from our
healthcare centers affected by gun violence to PCOM’s behavioral and mental health practitioners.
Research: PCOM is positioned to conduct meaningful research, on its own and in collaboration
with other organizations.
PCOM is well-suited to address the devastating impact of gun impact through its healthcare
centers, behavioral and mental health services, educators, researchers, students,
and a deeply rooted commitment to supporting families and communities.
Gun Violence Research at PCOM
Causes of death by gun violence included suicides by gun injury, homicides, mass shootings,
law enforcement confrontations, and accidental shootings. PCOM is conducting research
to mitigate the impact of this public health crisis through a holistic and multifaceted
approach. Specific initiatives include:
Feasibility Study: Gun Violence Education Program
Researchers in this quality improvement study at two urban healthcare centers in Philadelphia—Lancaster Avenue and Cambria Division—investigated an educational program designed to help clinicians confer with their
patients about gun violence, prevention, and available resources for support and treatment.
Titled: "Preliminary Investigation: Clinician-directed educational program on gun
violence, prevention and available community resources in two community health centers
in North and West Philadelphia"
Presenter: Alexa Kaminsky (OMS2)
Community-Based Research Faculty Fellowship:
Evaluated the effectiveness of a physician-directed training program on patient reports
of gun violence discussions
Completed on May 1, 2024
Poster Presentation #2:
Presented at PCOM Annual Research Day on April 30, 2025
Titled: "Gun Violence Communication Training in Two Philadelphia Urban Healthcare
Centers"
Presenter: Alexa Kaminsky, Langenau E, Kaminsky AM, Roberts MB
Publication:
Langenau E, Kaminsky AM, Roberts MB. “Impact of a clinician-directed educational program
on communicating with patients regarding gun violence at two community urban healthcare
centers.” J Osteopath Med. 2025 Jan 29. doi: 10.1515/jom-2024-0245. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 39873560. https://www.degruyterbrill.com/document/doi/10.1515/jom-2024-0245/html
Promotional Video:
Current Status
This feasibility study is now complete. It provides the justification and foundation
for future projects to support individuals and families affected by gun violence.
The SHELTER Program—or Support and Healing through Empowerment, Learning and Trauma
Education in Recovery after gun violence—was developed by Erik Langenau, DO, MS, MAPP, professor and chief academic technology officer, and Michelle Lent, PhD, professor of clinical psychology, who serve as co-project directors for the program.
The project team also includes clinical psychologists, Alexa Bonacquisti, PhD, Robert DiTomasso, PhD, and Megan Amatrudo, PsyD, with expertise in cognitive behavioral therapy and trauma-informed care.
Together, they aim to equip healthcare professionals with tools to address gun violence
as a public health crisis while broadening access to mental health services for affected
patients and community members.
Through the SHELTER program, PCOM will be increasing the support we provide patients
and families who have been affected by gun violence. This includes (1) educating our
healthcare center staff clinicians and students about communicating with patients
and learning about community-based resources and (2) treating our patients who have
psychological symptoms after gun violence exposure with trauma-informed cognitive-behavioral
therapy (CBT).
PCOM aims to develop innovative approaches to promoting health through basic, translational,
clinical, behavioral, education and community research projects.