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"Providing public information and safety education applicable to all forms of physical activity, in order to assist children and young adults of this region in the prevention of injury, serious trauma or death." |
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"Providing public information and safety education applicable to all forms of physical activity, in order to assist children and young adults of this region in the prevention of injury, serious trauma or death." |
UPPS was founded in 1995 by Dr. Craig Coccia, a local Marquette, Michigan neurosurgeon, as a response to the number of children and youth dying or left permanently disabled as a result of unintentional injuries. He saw the need for an organization that concentrates solely on injury prevention efforts.
Funding for UPPS comes from Dr. Coccia's own personal funds, as well as from partnerships with local service clubs, private & group donations, grants, and work in cooperation with law enforcement and state agencies, local health departments, school systems, intermediate school districts, area hospitals and universities, and the Office Of Highway Safety & Planning (OHSP).
Karen Teichman was named Executive Director by the group's board of directors in November, 1998, and is responsible for organizing and promoting programs for UPPS. Karen has more than 22 years of experience in the non-profit sector serving on other volunteer boards and organizations.
Karen is a past president of Zonta International of Marquette, a member of Messiah Lutheran Church, an ambassador for the Michigan Senior Olympics, and works as an independent travel and cruise consultant, The UP Traveler. She and her husband Tom have two sons, Jon and Marc.
Michelle Johnson, a Registered Nurse at Marquette General Hospital, is actively involved in the THINKFIRST program in Marquette. She is also an adjunct instructor at Northern Michigan University's Licensed Practical Nurse Program. Michelle helped Dr. Coccia kick off the program in 1994 with the implementation of the THINKFIRST and the THINKFIRST FOR KIDS programs in the Marquette Public School System.
UPPS is advised by a volunteer Board Of Directors.
The rest of the organization consists of volunteers.
| BOARD OF DIRECTORS | |
| President | Craig Coccia, M.D. |
| Executive Director | Karen Teichman |
| Vice President | Darrell Dettmann |
| Secretary | Julie Rochester |
| Board Member | Joe Brzezinski |
| Board Member | Diane Curry |
| Board Member | Michelle Johnson |
| Board Member | Bob Chapman |
| Board Member | John Lindholm |
| Board Member | Don Sarasin |
| Board Member | Bob Sibley |
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"Providing public information and safety education applicable to all forms of physical activity, in order to assist children and young adults of this region in the prevention of injury, serious trauma or death." |
For information on volunteering, presentations, donations or memorials, contact the Upper Peninsula Partnerships For Safety at (906) 228-3038 or via E-Mail.