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Robert Sege      

Director at the Center for Community-Engaged Medicine at Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute; Former Board Member of Prevent Child Abuse America

Dr. Robert Sege is nationally known for his research on effective health systems approaches that directly address the needs of children, who are the poorest and most diverse segment of the US population. His academic work incorporates community engagement at all stages of design, implementation, dissemination, and improvement.

Dr. Sege directs the development and dissemination of HOPE – Healthy Outcomes from Positive Experiences, an early childhood development framework that has led to changes in care in many settings across the country. He co-directs the community and stakeholder engagement component of the Tufts Clinical and Translational Science Institute and is a professor of medicine and pediatrics at Tufts University School of Medicine. He is also a senior fellow at the Center for the Study of Social Policy in Washington, serves on the board of the Massachusetts Children’s Trust, and served for many years on the Board of Prevent Child Abuse America and on the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committees on Child Abuse and Neglect and Injury, Violence, and Poisoning Prevention.

He is a graduate of Yale College, and received his PhD in biology from MIT and his MD from Harvard Medical School.

Speech Topics


Suspected Child Abuse & Neglect

Professionals in every state are required to report suspected child abuse and neglect to state agencies. Dr. Sege takes audiences through the many questions that arise surrounding this issue, including: When should you suspect? Where is the line between economic troubles and neglect? What should you do when you suspect? How certain do you need to be? Do you tell the parents? After you file, what will state Child Protective Services do? How can you best communicate your concerns when you call?

Expect Respect: Teen Dating Violence Prevention

Teenagers are just beginning to form adult relationships and, in so doing, begin to establish their own lifetime patterns. By demanding mutual respect, teens can avoid the unhealthy power dynamics that form the basis for intimate partner violence. Teens can learn simple ways to make sure that their relationships are healthy and parents can learn effective approaches to guiding their children by listening, reflecting, and reminding them that they deserve to be loved and respected.

Bullying: It's Not OK!

Bullying prevention begins with the understanding that there are three broad groups of children involved: the bullies, their targets, and those children who are bystanders. Dan Olweus, a Scandinavian psychologist, pioneered the development of effective bullying prevention programs. Dr. Sege explores the concepts and resources available to parents, schools, and professionals to address this challenging problem.

The 3 R's of Violence Prevention: Resilience, Responsibility & Respect

Violence prevention begins during infancy and continues through adolescence. Key concepts include: understanding why babies cry and how to respond, teaching good behavior to toddlers, addressing and preventing bullying at school and online, and addressing teen dating and peer violence.

Joyful Parenting

Too much modern advice makes parents nervous and implies that simple “mistakes” can lead to lifelong problems. Based on the realization that parents who find joy in parenting raise resilient children, Dr. Sege weaves together his and his wife’s experiences raising three children, recent studies of children and their parents, and stories he has heard from his patients.

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