Over the past two years, the Hand-in-Hand Hospital-based Violence Intervention Program (HVIP) at Riverside Regional Medical Center has grown significantly to reach more patients at higher risk of reinjury.
Hand in Hand, launched in July 2019, and has added seven HVIP team members to an original three-member team since receiving an annual $1.4 million grant commitment from the City of Newport News in July 2024.
With four new Clinical Intervention Specialists, a Trauma Therapist, a Trauma Liaison Educator and a part-time Peer Support Specialist, the program is now operating during high-volume overnight and weekend hours as well as weekdays.
Team members meet victims of firearm injuries, stabbings or physical assaults at their bedsides in hopes of preventing future attacks and acts of retaliatory violence. They also have expanded work to support Riverside’s SANE/Forensic nurse department with domestic violence cases, including safety planning and crisis hotel housing for patients and families.
“All of these steps we’ve taken are huge,” said January Serda, HVIP Grant Coordinator. “In order to break cycles of violence, it’s critical that we do immediate, face-to-face interventions in real time. Those moments could be our only chance to connect and intervene. People at risk of or recovering from firearm injuries often interact with healthcare teams at pivotal moments, so these encounters are critical opportunities for prevention, care and support.”
A multidisciplinary partnership between RRMC and community organizations, Hand in Hand helps patients navigate the healthcare system, connect with local resources, coordinate follow-up treatments such as mental health services, wound care and physical therapy, and set personal goals such as going back to school, finding safe housing or obtaining skilled training to land a better-paying job.
The Hand in Hand team encounters more than 600 victims of intentional violence each year. Although most don’t officially enroll in HVIP services – which offer free, confidential post-discharge case management for up to a year – all can ask for support or referrals at any time.
Between 10 and 20 patients are actively enrolled at a given point, Serda said. Among that population, the rate of reinjury has been very low: less than 2 percent.
“Going beyond a patient’s immediate medical needs can really make a difference,” she said. “A program embedded in a hospital like ours is vital for taking a true public health approach to reducing violent crime in our communities. Emergency Departments, trauma centers, primary care and behavioral health settings all influence risk, recovery, and long-term safety.”
“It’s a great example of how Riverside partners with community stakeholders to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by intentional violence,” added Dr. Michael Oshiki, RRMC President. “We’re very proud of the contribution this team is making not only in our hospital, but throughout our region.”
Hand in Hand remains 100 percent grant-funded. The program started with money from the Department of Criminal Justice Services through the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Foundation and received two grants totaling $140,000 from the Everytown Community Safety Fund; the Newport News funding partnership is ongoing.
Today’s HVIP team can provide crisis mental health support at bedsides, peer counseling from a fellow survivor of violence, and training for Riverside providers on trauma-informed care, including how biological and emotional changes in patients may trigger behaviors such as aggression or non-compliance. HVIP also offers free trauma education trainings to the public.
“Within our hospital, it gives providers a much better understanding of patients who have been violently injured and probably just went through one of the worst things in their lives,” Serda noted. “Our team also is there to support providers so they can focus on delivering medical care. They can call, request a consult on Epic or knock on our door anytime.”