The Mayfield Clinic began its long partnership with the Think First National Injury Prevention Foundation www.thinkfirst.org through the efforts of Mayfield neurosurgeon Thomas Saul, MD. In 1986 Dr. Saul helped establish the National Brain and Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Foundation, which in 1990 changed its name to the ThinkFirst National Injury Prevention Foundation. Dr. Saul introduced Think First in Cincinnati at Good Samaritan Hospital and helped promote the slogan "Feet first, first time," which exhorts swimmers to check water levels before diving in.

In the early 1990s Mayfield and Think First teamed up for "Helmet Cincinnati", a head injury prevention program that included the distribution of more than 2,500 helmets to children, teens, and adults. Since that time, Mayfield has supported several of Think First’s prevention programs, including the annual "Jam, Don’t Slam" seatbelt promotion and the "Think First Mocktail" event, which seeks to deter alcohol abuse and driving under the influence.

In May 2007 Think First participated in The Neuroscience Institute’s first Neurotrauma Prevention Day at University Hospital. Among the safety tips distributed:

• Always wear a seatbelt.
• Seat children under 12 in the back seat of a motor vehicle with age-appropriate restraints.
• Obey traffic laws and speed limits.
• Always wear a helmet when cycling or rollerblading.
• Arrange for a designated driver if you are out and plan to consume alcohol.
• Instruct children never to touch or play with guns.
• Never dive into water less than 10- to 12-feet deep.
• Never dive into an above-ground swimming pool.
• Always check the water depth before diving into a body of water; the depth of a river or lake can change because of drought or debris.
• Never leave children alone in or near a swimming pool.
• If something doesn’t feel right, then stop and think first.