2025 Firearm Violence Prevention Conference
Spokane, Washington State
May 21, 2025
“Strengthening Community Resilience: Collaborative Strategies for Firearm Violence Prevention for a Safer Spokane”
About the Conference
Excelsior Wellness’s Office of Research and Evaluation will present local data on firearm violence and intervention programs. Learn from top experts and community leaders how to create a safer Spokane.
Background
Excelsior Wellness received funding from the Washington State Dept. of Commerce’s Office of Firearm Safety and Violence Prevention to reduce firearm violence in Spokane County. The goal is to inspire and empower Spokane County organizations to implement evidence-based firearm violence reduction strategies guided by the Community Needs Assessment and Community Violence Strategic Action Plan.
Venue
The Conference will be a one-day event located at Spokane Public Library – Shadle Park, 2111 W Wellesley Ave, Spokane, WA 99205
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Session Overview (Coming soon!)
Agenda (Coming soon!)
Speakers
Bob Lutz, MD, MPH
Bob was the Health Officer for Spokane County, WA from 2017-2020 and Asotin County from 2018-present. He joined the Washington Department of Health in 2020 as its COVID 19 Medical Advisor through August 2022. Subsequently, He served as one of DOH’s four Regional Medical Officers through April 2024, when he returned to local public health. His recognition of societal factors contributing to health inequities underlies his commitment to improving the lives of everyone, especially those challenged to do so for themselves.
Sabrina Votava, MA, LMHC
Founder and Executive Director, FailSafe for Life
Sabrina Votava (She/Her) is an educator on suicide prevention and intervention who has worked with hundreds of individuals and organizations around the country to help them recognize the signs of suicide and to give them the tools and resources to keep a person in a mental health emergency safe. Having worked in this field for over two decades, Sabrina’s passion is evident in her trainings. She is the founder and Executive Director of a Spokane based suicide prevention non-profit named FailSafe for Life and is also a licensed mental health counselor, certified as a QPR Master Trainer and ASIST trainer, and is the creator of FailSafe for Life’s various trainings.
Paul Dillon
City Council Member, City of Spokane
As past Vice President of Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood Greater Washington and North Idaho, Paul led and managed grassroots efforts to organize, empower, and mobilize communities to take action for exceptional healthcare services, honest education, and fearless advocacy. In 2009, Paul began working with former District 2 Council Member Jon Snyder. Paul was instrumental in developing the Complete Streets ordinance which made sure the city built, operated, and maintained streets that enabled safe access for all, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities. In 2011, Paul headed to Olympia to work with then Representative Andy Billig. Together, they championed voter access, protecting the Spokane River, and creating a balanced budget to support working families before Representative Billig headed to the Senate. Paul currently serves as the City Councilmember for District 2.
Mia Parker, B.S
Fatality Review and Prevention Coordinator, Spokane Regional Health District
Mia (she/her) coordinates Spokane Regional Health District’s Child Fatality Review (CFR) and implements childhood injury and violence prevention projects in collaboration with community partners. CFR is confidential public health process involving the review of individual child deaths by a multidisciplinary team to enhance understanding of why
children die and develop recommendations to prevent future, similar deaths. Mia completed her Bachelor of Science in Child Psychology at the University of Minnesota, the highest ranked developmental psychology in the U.S. She is currently completing her Master of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Mia has received awards for leadership and scholarly excellence in equity and diversity. In2024, she was inducted into Delta Omega, a lifelong national public health honorary society started at Johns Hopkins University.
Michael Van Dyke, D.O.
Pediatric Intensivist, Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital and Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
As a pediatric critical care physician, I have taken care of children hospitalized with severe injuries from firearms. Additionally, I have advocated at the state level for common sense firearm safety. I envision and strive for a future where we eliminate firearm deaths and injuries for all children.
Taffy Hunter, MSHS, HS-BCP
Interim Executive Director, Spokane Regional Domestic Violence Coalition
Taffy Hunter (She/Her) is an Interim Executive Director and Board-Certified Human Services Practitioner, dedicated to advancing Justice, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Access, and Opportunity through impactful community initiatives. With a passion for advocacy, Hunter began her career as a Domestic Violence Legal and Family Advocate in 2015, earning Washington State certification in 2021. In addition to her advocacy work, she provides education and training to empower others. She also contributes to the field with published articles in the National Organization for Human Services, Burman University, and Cornerstone of Hope.
Conference Chair
Anna Foucek Tresidder, PhD, MPH
Vice President, Office of Research and Evaluation, Excelsior Wellness
Conference Co-Chairs
Andrew Ogwang, MPH, FRSPH
Public Health Systems Administrator, Office of Research and Evaluation, Excelsior Wellness
Lauren Dodier, B.A
Research Assistant, Office of Research and Evaluation, Excelsior
Wellness Sponsor
Washington Department of Commerce, Office of Firearm Safety and Violence
Prevention Partners
Spokane Public Library
City of Spokane
Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital
Washington Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
Registration
Opens in March!
This event is open to the public and sponsored Breakfast, Lunch and Evening coffee will be provided. Free registration is required to help us plan for meals.
Questions?
Email us at [email protected] with any questions about the 2025 Firearm Violence Conference.