Mission
Our mission is to reduce the incidence of brain, spinal cord, and other traumatic injuries and fatalities by providing education to youth, parents, and community members throughout Oregon.
Founded in 1986 at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU), ThinkFirst Oregon is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating our state's young in the prevention of brain and spinal cord injuries. ThinkFirst Oregon's medical director is Edward A. Neuwelt, MD, a neurosurgeon and professor at OHSU.
Through innovative classroom presentations and course work, ThinkFirst's programs are designed to help young children and teens develop lifelong safety habits to minimize their risk of sustaining brain, spinal cord or other traumatic injures.
Most importantly, ThinkFirst teaches young people ways to avoid behaviors and situations that put them at risk. Our message is that you can enjoy a fun, exciting life and be safe if you "think first" and use your mind to protect your body.
Since it's inception, ThinkFirst Oregon has reached more than 300,000 young people. Through a network of more than 250 local, statewide, and international chapters, 9.4 million children, teens and adults have participated in ThinkFirst programs worldwide.
The ThinkFirst programs were identified as an example of best practice in the Comprehensive Community-Based Prevention Strategies category by LifeSpan Adaptation Projects, University of Toronto, in July 2000.
Our goal is to help students develop safety habits that will minimize their risk of sustaining a brain or spinal cord injury. Our intent is to make the learning experience fun, yet meaningful and to involve not only teachers, but also parents and the community.
