An international trauma expert, known for her work in helping communities work together to address
treatment and healing for those in need, is coming to Bowling Green on April 7.
Dr. Sandra Bloom, a board-certified psychiatrist, international trauma expert, author, associate
professor of Public Health at Drexel University, and co-founder of the Sanctuary Institute, will present
a workshop on April 7 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Bowen-Thompson Student Union’s Grand Ballroom at
BGSU. The workshop has already drawn 500 registrations.
"Traumatic experiences are devastating to individuals and families and negatively impacts mental and
physical health. It is associated with increases in interpersonal violence, addictions, mental illness
and crime. Trauma is much more common that we want to acknowledge," said Tom Clemons executive
director of the Wood County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board.
"Dr. Bloom is an international trauma expert and her work offers our community a very effective
approach to treatment and healing, if we work together across agencies and systems of care,"
Clemons said.
The ADAMHS Board is sponsoring Bloom’s presentation along with several other county agencies and various
BGSU departments. The majority of its costs are being paid by grant funding.
During her presentation, Bloom with speak on the latest research knowledge about trauma and how it
disrupts functioning for individuals, families and communities. She will also discuss the effects of how
trauma can be genetically passed on to children, recovery from trauma, and her work with the Sanctuary
Model.
The Sanctuary Model, according to the Sanctuary Institute website, is a "blueprint for clinical and
organizational change which, at its core, promotes safety and recovery from adversity through the active
creation of a trauma-informed community."
The model focuses not only on the people who seek treatment, but also on the people and systems which
provide that treatment, according to the website.
The model originated in the Philadelphia area in the early 1980s and was created by a team of clinicians,
led by Bloom.
"Dr. Bloom’s stature will command widespread attention and help us become more aware of the serious
problems associated with trauma. The first step in solving problems is to become fully aware of the
problem. The next step is to know that there are ways to successfully deal with the problem,"
Clemons said.
While hundreds have already registered for the presentation, additional registrations are being accepted.

"We hope many leaders and professionals from many areas in our community will attend," Clemons
said.
Members of the clergy, educators, advocates for youth, families and the disabled, BGSU representatives,
law enforcement officials, probation officers, attorneys and health care professionals are among those
who have already registered. The public is invited.
The event is free, but registration is required.
To register, go to www.bgsu.edu/colleges/hhs/page85753.html. For more information, e-mail
[email protected].
In addition to Dr. Bloom’s presentation, Bloom, along with other Sanctuary Institute faculty, will
facilitate a training and workshop for Wood County organizations over the course of two days.
Organizations will learn more in-depth about trauma and how to effectively address it, Clemons said.
Wood County also plans to create a Trauma Informed Community Coalition with representatives from all over
the county.