Dear UMB Community,

Violence impacts communities across the United States — and we've seen far too much violence here in Baltimore. The mission of the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) calls on us to improve the human condition and serve the public good — and working to prevent violence is an important part of that mission.

To that end, I’m proud to announce that UMB is launching a center to address violence prevention and intervention efforts, thanks to a $2 million gift from Betsy Sherman and the Sherman Family Foundation. The Center for Violence Prevention, housed in the Office of the Provost, will be a multidisciplinary initiative led by Thomas M. Scalea, MD, the Honorable Francis X. Kelly Distinguished Professor of Trauma Surgery at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and in collaboration with the schools of medicine, social work, and law.

This interdisciplinary center seeks to bridge the activities of those across the University and in the community in a collaborative fashion to conduct community-based participatory research, provide creative and impactful education, and inform and advocate for policies that strengthen our communities to prevent violence and trauma. Its mission is to build resilient and equitable communities for all through the prevention and intervention of all forms of violence and trauma.

We are launching a national search for executive director of the new center. The search committee will be chaired by Judy L. Postmus, PhD, ACSW, dean, University of Maryland School of Social Work. The executive director will be charged with engaging researchers, practitioners, and community members and seeking additional funding to support initiatives. Learn more here.

Reflecting on his 25 years at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, Dr. Scalea has called gun violence a “completely preventable disease” and said that gunshot deaths “are an unnecessary injury in a civilized society.” We know that violence — in any form — causes injury not only to those directly involved, but also to communities. Preventing violence is necessary so that all individuals can thrive in a safe and equitable environment. This Center for Violence Prevention will provide UMB with additional focus on preventing violence and trauma to ensure that our communities are strong and healthy.

I look forward to the work of this new center and know that you all will join me in supporting its mission and goals.

Sincerely,

Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS

President