Loma Linda University Health (LLUH) received a $5.1 million grant from the state of California to expand its Hospital Violence Intervention Program (HVIP). The program focuses on reducing violent trauma injuries by combining medical care with community-based support services. It addresses the root causes of repeat trauma injuries, such as gang-related activity, substance abuse, and unemployment. The program collaborates with partners like SAC Health, Inland Congregations United for Change, Hope Culture, and Young Visionaries Youth Leadership Academy.

Why we did it

The project was initiated in response to rising rates of violent trauma injuries in San Bernardino, which saw an increase during the pandemic. The goal was to break the cycle of violent injuries by not only treating them but also addressing underlying factors. San Bernardino has long struggled with high poverty and crime rates, making this program critical for improving public health and safety.


Topics: Behavioral Health|Community Care|Health Equity and Access to Care|Substance Use Disorder (SUDs)|Workforce Development

Community Voice

“To have a trauma patient come back and you recognize them as being one of your previous patients is really unfortunate. These increasing rates of violence have really highlighted the need for us to expand our approach to taking care of our trauma population, to not just be the provider of care within the hospital but trying to address why those injuries happened to begin with.”
Sigrid Burruss
Trauma Surgeon and Director of Trauma Prevention, LLUH Department of Surgery.