Scientists in Residence Program Advances Prevention of Firearm Harm in Health Care 

New program will expand research and interventions that reduce and prevent firearm injury and death. 

February 3, 2025

We are thrilled to announce that Julie Angerhofer, PhD, MPH, and Jennifer Boggs, PhD, MSW, were appointed as the first Kaiser Permanente Firearm Harm Prevention Scientists in Residence. Their long-standing research in gun violence prevention efforts will further the center’s mission to decrease firearm injury and death and will expand studies for health-focused interventions to prevent firearm harm.

Dr. Julie Angerhofer (L) and Dr. Jennifer Boggs (R) 
Scientists in Residence, Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education 

Dr. Angerhofer and Dr. Boggs have demonstrated success partnering with Kaiser Permanente researchers and practitioners to build and implement effective clinical practices and interventions that prevent firearm suicide.  

Recently, Dr. Angerhofer and Dr. Boggs published suicide care metrics to track and monitor short- and long-term outcomes of suicide prevention screenings in five Kaiser Permanente regions. Additionally, Dr. Angerhofer led research that showed a 25% reduction in suicide attempts from adding suicide care to primary care in Kaiser Permanente’s Washington region.  

As the center’s Scientists in Residence, Dr. Angerhofer and Dr. Boggs will deepen Kaiser Permanente’s partnership with the Health Alliance for Violence Intervention (HAVI); broaden their focus to include all firearm harm; and improve firearm injury care and prevention for more patients within the Kaiser Permanente health system.  

“With the support of Kaiser Permanente, I am excited to build on our past successes and continue bridging the gap between research and practice,” said Dr. Angerhofer “Building strong relationships between leaders in violence intervention, like the HAVI, and health care systems has great potential to prevent firearm harm with our patients and in their communities.”

“As health care professionals, we have a responsibility to address firearm harm as a public health issue, using the best evidence available to discover new ways to make an impact through research,” said Dr. Boggs. “The center’s partnership with the HAVI presents an incredible opportunity to bring together researchers and community partners, propel the field forward, and design programs that make a lasting impact.” 

 

Over the next year, Dr. Angerhofer and Dr. Boggs will work with the center to expand the use of evidence-based firearm prevention and intervention practices across Kaiser Permanente’s local and regional clinics, as well as advance Kaiser Permanente’s research focused on firearm harm prevention. Their scope of work includes: 

• Establish an advisory group of individuals who have lived and professional experience with firearm harm. The advisory group will help prioritize care delivery initiatives and research agendas. 

• Develop quality metrics for health care systems that include actionable evidence-based practices to prevent firearm harm  

• Promote and spread proven and effective clinical approaches to keep patients safer from firearm injury and programs that improve medical, social, and mental health outcomes of those who experience firearm injuries. 

• Support Kaiser Permanente-led research related to firearm injury prevention. 

“We are so fortunate to have Dr. Angerhofer and Dr. Boggs to deepen our bench of expertise at the center and strengthen the connection between cutting-edge research and routine clinical practice,” said Fatimah Loren Dreier, Executive Director of the Kaiser Permanente Center for Gun Violence Research and Education. “Expanding research and integrating findings into Kaiser Permanente health care settings has immense potential to reduce firearm harm and save lives.”