BUFFALO, N.Y. — From June 6 to 8, 2025, the University at Buffalo’s Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences hosted the third annual Remembrance Conference, a national gathering focused on addressing gun violence through a public health lens. The event brought together medical students, educators, health professionals, community leaders, and advocates to honor victims of gun violence and explore strategies for prevention and healing.
A Partnership Rooted in Shared Tragedy
The conference originated from a partnership between the University at Buffalo (UB) and Michigan State University (MSU), both of which experienced mass shootings near their campuses in recent years. In May 2022, a racially motivated attack at a Tops supermarket in Buffalo claimed ten lives, while in February 2023, a gunman killed three students and injured five others on MSU’s campus. In response, UB’s Vice President for Health Sciences and Jacobs School Dean Dr. Allison Brashear and MSU’s College of Human Medicine Dean Dr. Aron Sousa established the annual Remembrance Conference to foster collaboration and advocacy among medical communities nationwide.
“The core mission of academic medicine is to improve the health and well-being of our communities,” said Dr. Brashear. “The Jacobs School and the MSU College of Human Medicine are resolute in their mission to educate and advocate against the scourge of gun violence.”
Conference Highlights and Keynote Speakers
Held at UB’s downtown Buffalo campus, the conference featured a series of plenary sessions, workshops, and community engagement activities. Keynote speakers included Dr. Megan Ranney, Dean of the Yale School of Public Health and co-founder of the American Foundation for Firearm Injury Reduction in Medicine (AFFIRM), and Dr. Robert Gore, founder of the Kings Against Violence Initiative (KAVI) and a UB alumnus. Both speakers emphasized the importance of viewing gun violence as a public health issue and the role of medical professionals in prevention efforts.
Dr. Patricia Logan-Greene, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at UB’s School of Social Work and co-leader of the national Grand Challenge to Prevent Gun Violence, also addressed attendees. She advocated for a trauma-informed approach to violence prevention, highlighting the need for systemic change and community-based interventions.
Community Engagement and Advocacy
A significant component of the conference was its focus on community involvement. On June 7, the event opened its doors to the public for a Community Day, featuring a keynote address by Zeneta Everhart, Buffalo Common Council member and mother of a survivor of the 2022 Tops shooting. Everhart shared her personal experiences and called for collective action to address the root causes of gun violence.
Attendees participated in various activities, including painting pavers for a Remembrance Garden, creating luminaries in memory of victims, and engaging with local organizations at a community fair. Workshops covered topics such as Extreme Risk Protection Orders (ERPOs), mental health, and advocacy training, equipping participants with tools to effect change in their communities.
Addressing Gun Violence as a Public Health Issue
Throughout the conference, speakers and participants emphasized the need to approach gun violence as a public health crisis. Dr. Brashear highlighted the importance of incorporating discussions about firearm safety into routine medical care, stating, “Gun storage is a big issue, particularly for pediatricians. That one simple question—’Do you have a gun at home, and is it locked?’—can save lives.”
Medical students played an active role in the conference, leading sessions and sharing perspectives on integrating gun violence prevention into medical education. Third-year students Anna Fretz and Mikaela Hastings emphasized the importance of addressing gun violence beyond clinical settings, advocating for systemic changes to reduce firearm-related injuries and deaths.
A Call to Action
The Remembrance Conference concluded with a renewed commitment to collaborative efforts in combating gun violence. Organizers and participants pledged to continue advocating for policy changes, community engagement, and education to address the epidemic. Plans are already underway for the next conference, with the goal of expanding its reach and impact.
For more information about the Remembrance Conference and ongoing initiatives, visit the University at Buffalo’s official news release:
