On July 17, 2024, Dr. Barbara Friedes, one of the Chief Residents of the Pediatrics Residency Program at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), was tragically killed while riding her bike home from work. In her time at CHOP, Dr. Friedes graced children and their families with love, courage, and hope. At her residency graduation, she was aptly awarded The Frank M. Trojan IV Resident Courage Award in memory of Carolyn Trojan’s son which is given to the graduating resident who in the opinion of her peers, “has demonstrated extraordinary support for her colleagues and excels in fostering camaraderie within the residency program.” Her research, clinical care, and compassion for others have touched so many and will continue to inspire us all.
As a way to keep her memory alive and to advocate for safer streets, the advocacy coalition, Pediatric Advocates for Transportation Health and Safety (PATHS) was created by CHOP employees, Penn colleagues, and community members. One of the ways that PATHS is committed to creating change includes advocating for child bike safety, including promoting helmet safety and education through policies endorsed by the American Academy of Pediatrics and by distributing helmets in CHOP’s pediatric primary care. As part of PATHS, Helmet Heroes was created by several CHOP residents and faculty to distribute bike helmets to children receiving care at the resident-staffed primary care clinics of CHOP. Along with a brand-new bike helmet, pediatric patients and their families receive counseling around how to properly fit and use their helmets.Helmet Heroes plans to expand this injury prevention program so that Barbara’s memory will continue onward, and this initiative will continue to train clinic staff on this critical anticipatory guidance in hopes that the lives of children will be protected as they experience the joy of playing outside.