Rise, Respond and Rebuild: Healing Communities by Ending Gun Violence
Sept. 11-12, 2026 | Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Join health professionals, educators, community leaders, researchers, advocates and learners for a public-health–driven symposium focused on ending gun violence and advancing healing in communities. Rise, Respond and Rebuild will bring together national experts and local voices for two days of shared learning, practical strategies and interdisciplinary dialogue.
Why attend?
- Explore gun violence as a public health issue affecting communities nationwide
- Learn from experts working across medicine, public health, education and community-based practice
- Discover practical tools, models and strategies that support prevention, healing and collaboration
- Connect with colleagues and partners committed to creating safer, healthier communities
With our September 2026 symposium, we aim to engage our participants in conversations, curriculum and programming that employ a public health approach to reduce firearm injuries and fatalities.
Gun violence continues to affect individuals, families, and communities across the nation, leaving lasting impacts on physical, emotional, and social well‑being. As a medical and biomedical institution, the Jacobs School is committed to leading with science, compassion, and public‑health principles to drive meaningful change.
Our Goals
- Facilitate meaningful dialogue on how firearm violence intersects with medical education, professional training, public health practice, and community safety.
- Share practical resources and tools—including programs, curricula, and strategies—that support others in teaching, practicing, and advocating for firearm violence prevention.
- Build new perspectives by fostering connection among diverse professionals, educators, community members, and leaders working to end gun violence.
- Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration to accelerate community‑centered responses and prevention strategies.
This year’s symposium features nationally recognized leaders whose work advances firearm violence prevention, community healing, narrative change and public health action.
Brian Wade, PhD, assistant professor, School of Criminal Justice, University at Albany, State University of New York. Wade’s research focuses on firearm violence, community violence intervention and underground markets, with particular attention to high-risk populations.
His presentation will examine how nonfatal firearm injuries can escalate into fatal violence and what that means for prevention and public health.
Joseph Richardson Jr., PhD, MPower Professor of African American Studies, Medical Anthropology and Epidemiology, University of Maryland. Richardson’s work focuses on community firearm violence, structural violence and community-based intervention strategies for Black boys and men.
His presentation will explore the ethical use of AI and digital storytelling in gun violence research, with an emphasis on equity, community voice and narrative change.
Rise, Respond and Rebuild will feature keynote presentations, breakout sessions, workshops, community dialogue and networking opportunities designed to support learning across disciplines. Sessions will focus on public health strategies, clinical education, trauma-informed care, youth engagement, community partnerships and approaches that strengthen prevention and healing.
A complete schedule will be posted soon.
Registration for Rise, Respond and Rebuild opens July 6, 2026. Attendees will be able to reserve their place for this two-day symposium through the conference registration page.
Venue & Logistics
The symposium will be held at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, 955 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203.
Additional information on parking, accessibility, accommodations and directions will be posted here as details are finalized.
This symposium is intentionally designed for a broad, interdisciplinary audience committed to reducing harm and strengthening communities.
Participants may include:
- Medical and health professionals.
- Biomedical and public health researchers.
- Educators from K-12 through higher education.
- Community advocates and nonprofit leaders.
- Mental and behavioral health professionals.
- Hospital and health-system staff.
- Public-facing workers and community safety partners.
- Students and trainees across related fields.
Join us in advancing solutions to gun violence through a public health lens.
Sponsorship supports a highly inclusive convening—ensuring that community members, students, trainees and frontline professionals are able to participate, contribute and help shape meaningful outcomes.
Our executive committee is composed of community leaders, advocates and partners who believe that gun violence is preventable and that change begins with action. Each member brings a personal commitment to protecting lives and strengthening communities, and their collective voice helps shape our mission, priorities and path forward.
- Zeneta Everhart, Masten District Councilwoman, City of Buffalo
- Heather Gardiner, Director of the Community Health Equity Research Institute, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- Adrienne Garr, Director of the Office of Gun Violence Prevention, City of Buffalo
- Selina Irizarry, Masten District Chief of Staff, City of Buffalo
- Patricia Logan-Greene, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, UB School of Social Work
- David Milling, Senior Associate Dean for Medical Education, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- Eddie Payne, Coordinator of the Erie County Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce
- Rev. Kinzer Pointer, President of Greater Buffalo United Ministries
- Julie Szrama, Director of Student and Academic Affairs, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- Brian Wade, Senior Data Scientist at The University of Pennsylvania
- Kamilah Weems, Director of Strategic Initiatives and Partnerships in Medical Education at AAMC
- Garnell Whitfield, Social Justice Advocate
- Annie Printup, Office of Accreditation and Quality Improvement, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- Dawn Cwierley, Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences and Dean, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
- Linda Christiano, Office of the Vice President for Health Sciences and Dean, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences
Accreditation
The University at Buffalo Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Certification
To be determined.
The Evolution of Our Work
Rise, Respond and Rebuild builds on the Jacobs School’s ongoing commitment to addressing gun violence as a public‑health crisis. This symposium evolved from earlier conferences focused on prevention, education, and community partnership, expanding that work into a broader, more inclusive forum for shared learning and action. Today, the event brings together diverse voices to strengthen our collective ability to promote healing, safety, and well‑being across all communities.