Some of the MUSC Health TTVIP standing in front of an MUSC Health ambulance.

Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Program (TTVIP)

Your support can save a life!

Visit Giving and scroll down in the drop-down menu to select "MUSC Violence Prevention Program."

Violence is one of the leading causes of death and injury for youth and young adults in the US and disproportionally impacts vulnerable and minority populations. Physicians know that people who experience violence often need more than medical care to promote recovery and break cycles of violence.

The MUSC Health Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Program (TTVIP) violence intervention patient advocates provide care and wrap around services to violently injured patients treated at MUSC Health. This program is based on a public health model that recognizes the complex interpersonal, social, economic, and environmental root causes of violence. It is a trauma-informed, patient-centered program designed to include healthcare and community resources to improve intervention and support services for victims of violence.

What are our services?

The MUSC Health TTVIP offers assessment, support, wrap around services, referrals, and long-term follow-up to individuals at risk of violence, and victims of violent injuries and their families. The program provides a comprehensive model of care that intersects the nature of trauma, social determinants of health, and violence.

How does it work?

Our trained care team members engage with at-risk and injured patients at their bedside; assesses patients risk factors and goals; establishes a plan that promotes physical, social, and mental health recovery; and connects the patients and their families with MUSC & community resources that may strengthen support networks, improve social, education, and employment outcomes and prevent repeat violence. We focus on patients between the ages of 12 to 30 that are at risk or experience interpersonal and community violence, but we provide support and services to other patients in need of assistance.

We partner with other community groups and law enforcement to promote violence deterrence and intervention strategies to support neighborhoods experiencing high rates of community violence.

Who are our partners?

We partner with both MUSC Health resources and local community agencies. Within MUSC, we network with the MUSC Advocacy Program (MAP), Trauma and Resiliency and Recovery Program (TRRP), MUSC National Crime Victims Center (NCVC), MUSC Level 1 Adult and Pediatric Trauma Center, and other providers that provide care to patients that experience violence and trauma.

Within the community, we partner with a variety of community, governmental, non-profit agencies, and victim service groups including:

  • Criminal justice victim advocates
  • School systems and education programs
  • Employment programs
  • Arts and recreations programs
  • Food and housing non-profits
  • Family counseling services
  • Mental health and substance abuse programs
  • Local law enforcement agencies

What are the areas we serve?

We provide care and support to all patients in need of our services. The primary areas served in the Lowcountry include Charleston, Beaufort, Colleton, Dorchester, and Berkley counties.

What is our expertise and research?

Members of the team have vast experience in the field of violence including nationally published violence prevention research, advocacy, education, non-profit work, injury prevention, and community violence intervention. See Research and In the News for some of our publications and work.

Our program is supported by The Health Alliance for Violence Interventions (HAVI) organization. The HAVI builds and connects a network of hospital-based intervention programs and promotes equity for victims of violence.

Meet The Team

Ashley Hink, MD, MPH is the Medical Director and assistant professor of acute care surgery for MUSC's Turning the Tide program 

Ashley Hink, M.D., MPH

Medical Director
Associate Professor of Acute Care Surgery

Christa Green MPH Turning the Tide program director 

Christa Green, MPH

Program Director

Keith Smalls - Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Advocate 

Keith Smalls

Violence Intervention Advocate

Headshot of Chantelle Mitchell.  

Chantelle Mitchell

Violence Intervention Advocate

Adrianna Bellamy, BSPH - Turning the Tide Adult Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator 

Adrianna Bellamy, BSPH

Adult Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator

Cat Yetman, BS - Turning the Tide Violence Intervention Advocate 

Cat Yetman, BS

Violence Intervention Advocate

Clinical Champions

Chris Streck, M.D.   MUSC Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery  

Chris Streck, M.D.

MUSC Department of Surgery, Division of Pediatric Surgery

 

Morsal Tahouni, M.D.

MUSC Department of Emergency Medicine

 

Elizabeth Oddo, M.D.

MUSC Pediatric Liaison