Inside Business Health Care Heroes 2024: Riverside’s Hand in Hand
Award: Innovations in Health Care
Riverside Regional Medical Center’s Hand in Hand hospital violence intervention program provides trauma-informed care to violently injured patients and their families.
The program goes beyond health care by collaborating with community partners to provide advocacy, support, safety planning and case management to empower individuals to make positive changes while minimizing risk factors of violence. Confidential services include helping patients navigate the health care system and criminal justice process while creating a safety plan and setting personal goals. The program connects patients to mental health services and other resources while helping coordinate follow-up medical appointments and helping victims and families with the Virginia Victims Fund application.
Clinical violence intervention specialist Felicia Wilson, who was instrumental in starting the program, shared details with Inside Business.
Clinical violence intervention specialist Felicia Wilson (Courtesy photo)
Can you describe how the Riverside’s Hand in Hand Hospital Violence Intervention Program came to be? Riverside Regional Medical Center’s Hand in Hand is a hospital-based violence intervention program that began in July 2019 through a grant-funded initiative by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Riverside is one of seven Virginia hospitals within the collaboration that provides direct services to victims of violence and their families with the highest needs for intervention in the commonwealth.
How do you measure its success? Success is measured by the recidivism rates or the rate at which we have reoccurring visits from the patients and family members who have chosen to enroll in our program. Our goal is to have and maintain a low recidivism rate to reduce victims of gun violence returning to the hospital reinjured or incarcerated into the criminal justice system, and ensure those who need the services receive them and benefit from them to where they can improve their situation.
What are you most proud of? Being able to provide supportive services to each patient’s unique needs within the hospital setting and after the patient has returned to their community. We have seen an increase in positive outcomes and success stories from our patients who have completed the program and continued to utilize our resources for ongoing support. It is gratifying to see individuals improve their lives and become self-sufficient after going through our program. Moreover, we are also proud of the partnerships we have established with local community organizations, government agencies and health care providers. These collaborations allow us to provide a comprehensive approach to addressing the needs of our patients and ensure that they receive the best possible care.
How do you/the team cope with challenges? By being a part of Riverside’s network of specialists and our collaborative partnerships, we have access to a wealth of knowledge and resources that help us overcome challenging situations that may arise. This collaborative approach not only benefits our patients but also strengthens our ability to make a positive impact on the community. One important aspect of our approach is trauma-informed care. We understand that traumatic experiences can have long-lasting effects on individuals, their loved ones and the community at large. By taking into account these broader impacts, we are able to provide more comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of a patient’s well-being. Our team is also constantly seeking new ways to innovate and improve our intervention methods. We continuously evaluate our programs and services to ensure effectiveness and make necessary adjustments to continue to provide high-quality, empathetic care.
Why do you do what you do? I believe that we all have a duty to serve the people in which we are called to work with. As health care professionals, our ultimate goal is to provide the best possible care and support for those in need.
What lessons have you learned? I have learned that being able to connect and assist someone in need goes beyond the clinical setting. One of the most powerful healing tools is human connection. Our impact as health care professionals goes far beyond the medical treatments we provide. It is the way we show compassion, empathy and genuine care that truly makes a difference in someone’s life.
Any advice for those pursuing health care? One of the most rewarding aspects of this work is assisting a victim, their loved ones and their community. We are grateful for the opportunity to guide them through the healing process and journey after an unfortunate traumatic event.
Riverside Regional Medical Center’s Hand in Hand hospital violence intervention program collaborates with community partners to provide advocacy, support, safety planning and case management to empower individuals to make positive changes while minimizing risk factors of violence. (Courtesy photo)
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