UMMC Launched Pilot for Firearm Injury Survivors

The medical center program supports shooting survivors with cash assistance, therapy, and integrated medical care.

Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Violence

UMMC Launched Pilot for Firearm Injury Survivors

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The University of Mississippi Medical Center has launched a pilot program to support firearm injury survivors. The initiative aims to aid long-term recovery and prevent retaliation by providing medical care, mental health therapy, and cash assistance.

Why it matters

The program addresses the aftermath of shootings as more than just a medical issue, focusing on holistic recovery and support for victims. It seeks to prove the effectiveness of these interventions to secure sustainable long-term funding.

Adonis Brooks, who was shot twice on July 31, 2025, received emergency open-heart surgery at the facility. Participants must actively opt in to the support program while receiving treatment for their injuries.

The players

University of Mississippi Medical Center

This is the primary medical facility in Jackson where survivors receive emergency trauma care and initial program enrollment.

Adonis Brooks

He is a survivor of a firearm injury who underwent emergency open-heart surgery following a shooting.

People's Advocacy Institute

This organization facilitates cash assistance for participants shortly after their injury and again after six months.

Operation Good

This group provides specialized violence intervention services to survivors of firearm incidents.

Mississippi Public Health Institute

This organization is a partner in the collaborative effort to treat the aftermath of violence as a public health issue.

The details

Emergency room doctors and trauma teams stabilize patients upon arrival before hospital staff offer the program participation option. The partnership involves the People's Advocacy Institute, Operation Good, and the Mississippi Public Health Institute.

July 31, 2025: Adonis Brooks sustained gunshot wounds.
September 24, 2026: The initiative was formally reported.

Legal Context

This initiative follows the standard practice of Hospital-Based Violence Intervention Programs which have gained national attention. Researchers aim to move this specific approach to a standardized protocol both in Jackson and across the country.

The program provides a direct support system for shooting survivors, including financial aid and mental health resources to assist in their recovery. These measures are intended to decrease the likelihood of retaliation and improve local public health outcomes.

The takeaway

Holistic support programs aim to stabilize the lives of violence survivors beyond initial surgical intervention. Implementing such pathways may significantly improve recovery trajectories for patients affected by firearm injuries.