The program’s two-year anniversary comes amid continued evidence of the need for intervention and support. Data collected across reporting hospitals from October 2025 through September 2026 documented 413 firearm injuries. Of those cases, 243 patients met the program’s eligibility criteria, and 101 chose to enroll in the program. The previous year, 145 patients enrolled in the program.
“Two years ago, we recognized the need to extend our care beyond treating the immediate injuries caused by violence. As trauma providers, we see firsthand how a violent injury can affect every aspect of a person’s life, long after they leave the hospital. Through our Hospital Violence Intervention Program, we have an opportunity to connect eligible patients with resources and support during a critical point in their recovery. As we mark this two-year milestone, we remain committed to supporting our patients and families beyond the hospital walls and working with our community to address the ongoing impact of violence,” said Amy Makley, MD, Trauma Director at UC Medical Center.
Addressing the needs beyond the injury
Through the Hope and Shield Network, UC Health and Cincinnati Children's, in partnership with the City of Cincinnati and many community organizations, work to help individuals and families recover from violence, build stability and reduce the risk of future harm. The program recognizes that recovery from a violent injury involves more than physical healing. Survivors and their families often face challenges related to trauma, housing, education, employment, food insecurity and personal safety.
The Hope and Shield Network connects participants with personalized, wraparound support tailored to their strengths, goals and circumstances. Since the program’s inception, Violence Prevention Professionals, trusted community members with lived experience, provided bedside support and helped connect nearly 250 patients to services including mental health resources, housing assistance, access to fresh foods, education and employment opportunities, family support programs and violence prevention services.
“By bridging the gap between hospital-based treatment and long-term community support, the program seeks to interrupt cycles of violence, promote healing, strengthen family and community connections and help survivors move forward after a crisis. Many in our city have been doing this work for years; Hope and Shield provides an opportunity for us to serve as a link – connecting organizations to patients and vice versa – to help address the complex social needs at the root of violence,” said Meera Kotagal, MD, MPH, Director of Trauma Services at Cincinnati Children’s.
Two years of continued commitment
The two-year milestone offers an opportunity to recognize the importance of sustained investment in support for people impacted by violence and to consider how hospitals and community organizations can continue working together to meet community needs.
As UC Health and Cincinnati Children’s mark the anniversary, the program remains focused on connecting eligible patients with resources that can support their recovery and helping build a more coordinated response to the challenges that follow a violent injury.
“The heart of this program is building trust with patients and helping them navigate the challenges they face after experiencing violence. Every person’s circumstances are different, and connecting them with the right resources can be an important step in their recovery. As we celebrate two years, we’re proud of the partnerships that make this work possible and remain focused on reaching and supporting those who need us,” said Amy Duwell, Hospital Violence Intervention Program Manager.
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UC Health is Greater Cincinnati's only adult academic and essential health system serving our region for more than 200 years. We bring together world-class care, groundbreaking research and the next generation of medicine to transform health, improve life and help people live for what matters most.
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Cincinnati Children’s ranks among the best pediatric health systems in the nation by U.S. News & World Report and is a global destination for children with serious, rare or complex conditions. Established in 1883, Cincinnati Children’s is a nonprofit academic health system that leads the way in healthcare education and pediatric research, where discoveries become innovative treatments and cures that change the outcome for children. All of this is backed by an extraordinary culture with over 19,600 team members. Cincinnati Children’s ranks No. 1 in Ohio and No. 7 in the nation on the Forbes list of America’s Best Employers for Healthcare Professionals. More information: CincinnatiChildrens.org
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