Center for Pediatric Trauma Research
Established in 2013, the Center for Pediatric Trauma Research at Nationwide Children’s Hospital conducts research to achieve best outcomes for pediatric trauma patients.
Using a multidisciplinary approach, researchers in the center lead innovative projects to assess pre-hospital emergency medical service, acute medical and surgical management, rehabilitation, and family and community services that impact the short and long-term outcomes of injured patients.
The center is a leader in translating cutting-edge research findings to help patients, families, policy makers and clinicians make informed decisions.
The Abigail Wexner Research Institute is ranked among the top 10 for NIH funding among free-standing children's hospitals.
Center for Pediatric Trauma Research Vision and Mission
Our Vision
To lead evidence-based trauma care and policy research to achieve the best outcomes for pediatric trauma patients.
Our Mission
Research: Conduct high quality research to address significant problems at every stage of pediatric trauma care from pre-hospital emergency medical services through acute care, rehabilitation, and reintegration into the community.
Policy: Contribute to state and national efforts to assess and improve regional trauma care systems.
Workforce Development: Provide trauma-related research training and mentoring for nurses, researchers, medical and graduate students, residents and fellows, and junior faculty members.
Partnership: Collaborate with pediatric trauma care professionals, researchers, and educators around the world to promote excellence in pediatric trauma research, trauma care, and education.
Research Grants
Ongoing Research Projects
| Investigator | Title | Sponsor | Award Years |
| Julie Leonard, MD, MPH | Development and Testing of a Pediatric Cervical Spine Injury Risk Assessment Tool | NIH | 2018 - 2023 |
| Ginger Yang, PhD, MPH | Intervention to Improve Driving Practices Among High-Risk Teen Drivers | NIH/NICHD | 2019 - 2025 |
| Ginger Yang, PhD, MPH | Longitudinal Assessment of Driving After Mild TBI in Teens | NIH/NICHD | 2020 - 2025 |
| Ginger Yang, PhD, MPH | Adopting and Implementation of an Evidence-based Safe Driving Program for High Risk Teen Drivers | NIH/NICHD | 2020 - 2025 |
| Julie Leonard, MD, MPH |
Pediatric Dose Optimization for Seizures in EMS |
NIH |
2021 - 2026 |
| Henry Xiang, MD, MPH, PhD, MBA | A Randomized Clinical Trial of Smartphone Virtual Reality for Pain Management During Burn Care Transition | Agency for HealthCare Research and Quality | 2022 - 2027 |
| Jeffrey Bridge, PhD | The Center for Accelerating Suicide Prevention in Real-world Settings (ASPIRES) | NIH/National Institute of Mental Health | 2022 - 2027 |
| Eric Sribnick, MD, PhD | Reversal of Immunoparalysis Following Traumatic Brain Injury and Systemic Hemorrhage in a Juvenile Rat Model | National Institutes of Health (NINDS) | 2022 - 2027 |
| Esteban Faith, MD; Henry Xiang, MD, MPH, PhD, MBA | Virtual Reality for Pain Management During Repeated Pediatric Laser Procedures | NCH's Intramural Grant | 2023 - 2025 |
| Ginger Yang, PhD, MPH | Collaborative Research: Cognitive Workload Classification in Dynamic Real-World Environments: A MagnetoCardioGraphy Approach | NSF | 2023 - 2026 |
| Jonathan Groner, MD; Bo Lu, PhD; Henry Xiang, MD, MPH, PhD, MBA | Poly-Matching Causal Inference for Assessing Multiple Acute Medical Managements of Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injuries | NIH/NICHD | 2023 - 2027 |
| Julie Leonard, MD, MPH | Great Lakes-Atlantic Children’s Emergency Research Network | HRSA | 2023 - 2027 |
| Julie Leonard, MD, MPH | Ohio Emergency Medical Services for Children Partnership Grant | HRSA | 2023 - 2027 |
| Julie Leonard, MD, MPH | Preventing Adverse Childhood Events through Community Interventions with EMS | CDC | 2023 - 2028 |
| Johnson J, Gerhardt C (mPI) | The OSU Clinical and Translational Science | NIH/National Center for Advancing Translation Science | 2023 - 2030 |
| Henry Xiang, MD, MPH, PhD, MBA | Artificial Intelligence Risk Prediction to Guide Patient-Centered Support Discussion Following Elderly TBI | Ohio Department of Public Safety/EMS Research Grant | 2024 - 2025 |
| Jonathan Chang, MD; Henry Xiang, MD, MPH, PhD, MBA | Augmented Reality for Managing Pediatric Anxiety and Pain During Disasters – A Randomized Pilot Feasibility Study | HRSA | 2024 - 2026 |
Research Projects Completed in the Last 5 Years
| Investigator | Title | Sponsor | Award Years |
| Gary Smith, MD, DrPH | Injury Control Research Center (ICRC) | CDC/National Center for Injury Prevention and Control | 2012 - 2024 |
| Rajan Thakkar, MD | Burn Immune Study | The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital – Internal Start Up | 2015 - 2021 |
| Rajan Thakkar, MD | Systemic and Local Immune Function after Pediatric Thermal Injury | National Institute of Health (NIH) - NICHD 5K12HD047349-14 Subaward # 10034012-NWCH University of Utah | 2018 - 2022 |
| Rajan Thakkar, MD | Systemic and Local Immune Function after Pediatric Thermal Injury | National Institute of Health (NIH) – NIGMS 1K08GM124499-01A1 | 2018 - 2022 |
| Rebecca Jackson, MD | The OSU Center for Clinical and Translational Science: Advancing Today's Discoveries to Improve Health | NIH/National Center for Advancing Translation Science | 2018 - 2023 |
| Rajan Thakkar, MD | Systemic and Local Immune Function after Pediatric Thermal Injury | National Institute of Health (NIH) – NIGMS- Loan Repayment Program (Renewal) | 2019 - 2021 |
| Henry Xiang, MD, MPH, PhD, MBA | Mobile Phone Virtual Reality Game for Pediatric Home Burn Dressing Pain Management | Ohio Department of Public Safety | 2019 - 2020 |
| Jennifer Cooper, PhD | Medicaid Expansion on Disparities in Trauma Care and Outcomes in Young Adults | NIH/National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities | 2019 - 2021 |
| Julie Leonard, MD, MPH | PsySTART Rapid Triage of PTSD Risk in Pediatric Injury Patients | NIH | 2019 - 2021 |
| Julie Leonard, MD, MPH |
The Effect of Emergency Department and After-Emergency Department Analgesic Treatment on Pediatric Long Bone Fracture Outcomes |
NIH |
2020 - 2021 |
| Henry Xiang, MD, MPH, PhD, MBA |
The Impact of Ohio's Opioid Prescriptions Law on Opioid Use and Outcomes in Pediatric Patients |
Ohio Department of Public Safety – Emergency Medical Services |
2020 - 2021 |
| Jonathan Groner, MD | Machine Intelligence Evaluation of Trauma Team Activation Criteria in Emergency Medical Services Care of Injured Children | NCH Clinical and Translational Intramural Funding | 2020 - 2022 |
| Jennifer Lundine, PhD, CCC-SLP, BC-ANCDS; Julie Leonard, MD, MPH | Pilot Study to Develop a Functional Status Score for Children with Acute Neurologic Illness and Injuries | NICHD | 2020 - 2022 |
| Eric Sribnick, MD, PhD | Immunoparalysis After Hemorrhage and Traumatic Brain Injury: Mechanism and Therapy | Pediatric Trauma Society | 2021 - 2022 |
| Ginger Yang, PhD, MPH | Assessing Readiness to Transition to Physical Activity Post-Concussion in Youth | Discovery, Theme Initiative, OSU | 2021 - 2022 |
We Provide Support for All Stages of Trauma-related Research
Examples of Services Provided
- Consultation in design of research
- Selection of appropriate techniques and instruments
- Assistance in preparing grant applications
- Assistance in collecting and analyzing data
- Statistical Support
- Assistance in preparation/editing of manuscripts
- Access to large datasets
Datasets Available
- Kids' Inpatient Database (KID): 1997, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2012, 2016, 2019
- National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample (NIS): 1988-1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS): 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- Nationwide Readmissions Database (NRD): 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
- National Trauma Data Bank Research Dataset (NTDB): 2007-2014
Inside the Center for Pediatric Trauma Research
Using Virtual Reality to Manage Pediatric Pain
Dr. Henry Xiang visits the studio as we explore the use of virtual reality games in the management of pediatric pain. This approach has shown promise for reducing stress during painful procedures, such as burn dressing changes. We hope you can join us!