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Joseph V. Sakran is an American trauma surgeon, public health researcher, gun violence prevention advocate and activist. His career in medicine and trauma surgery was sparked after nearly being killed at the age of 17 when he was shot in the throat. He is currently an associate professor of surgery at the Johns Hopkins University, director of Emergency General Surgery at Johns Hopkins Hospital, and vice chair of Clinical Operations. He also serves as the Associate Chief for the Division of Acute Care Surgery.

Early life, education, and career

Sakran was born in Falls Church, Virginia to immigrant parents. He attended high school in Burke, Virginia. As a high school senior, at a local playground after attending a football game at Lake Braddock Secondary School, he was struck in the neck from a stray bullet fired into a crowd. With his windpipe ruptured and carotid artery severed, he was saved by trauma surgeon Dr. Robert Ahmed and vascular surgeon Dr. Dipankar Mukherjee at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Dedicating himself to become a surgeon while still in recovery, he attended George Mason University and gained experience as a medic and firefighter at the City of Fairfax Fire & Rescue Department.

Sakran earned an undergraduate degree in biology and minor in chemistry from George Mason University in 1999. He graduated with a Doctor of Medicine from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Medical School for International Health in 2005, and earned a Master of Public health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in 2003. He also holds a Master of Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government. He completed his general surgery residency training at Inova Fairfax Hospital, and then fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania in Traumatology, Surgical Critical Care, and Emergency General Surgery.

Sakran was elected to the National Academy of Medicine in 2023.

Advocacy

In 2016, Sakran's activism first achieved national recognition when he founded Doctors for Hillary, supporting the candidacy of Hillary Clinton, who had made reduction of gun violence in America a central tenet of her campaign. He was recognized by Secretary Clinton for his work in fighting to end gun violence.

His research in public health and specifically firearm injury prevention has been recognized by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and Academy Health. A recent study published in Health Affairs, Emergency Department Visits for Firearm-Related Injuries in the United States, 2006-14 was given an honorable mention as one of the 2017 Outstanding Article of the Year Award by Health Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP).

On November 7, 2018 the National Rifle Association of America's comment telling doctors to "stay in their lane" resulted in Sakran responding on Twitter, telling them that "As a Trauma Surgeon and survivor of #GunViolence I cannot believe the audacity of the @NRA to make such a divisive statement. We take care of these patients every day. Where are you when I’m having to tell all those families their loved one has died". The tweet went viral and resulted in a robust response from healthcare professionals. A few days later Sakran established the Twitter account @ThisIsOurLane as a way to unite the medical community who care for gun violence victims.

Sakran has also written numerous opinion pieces for The Atlantic and CNN. He was also interviewed on NPR by Terry Gross, the host and co-executive producer of Fresh Air, on November 28, 2018.

In February 2019, Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA), Chairman of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force invited Sakran as his guest to the State of the Union, recognizing his commitment to ending gun violence as both a survivor and now trauma surgeon.

On February 6, 2019, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) and Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee invited Sakran to testify at the hearing on Preventing Gun Violence.

In 2019, Sakran was also selected for the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, where his project focused on safe storage of firearms. In the same year, Sakran was selected as one of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows by the National Academy of Medicine. He is currently working on health-related legislative and regulatory issues.

In early 2020, Sakran tweeted a photo of a flyer showing a clipart style hand holding a gun, which was a flyer left under his windshield wiper.

Media

• 2018: Featured in CNN, "Victim of gun violence returns to the E.R., this time as the surgeon"
• 2018: Featured in MSNBC, "Dr. Joseph Sakran On Gun Violence: We Are Facing A Public Health Crisis"
• 2018: Featured in CNN Town Hall with Chris Cuomo, "Armas de fuego: ¿Enfrenta Estados Unidos una crisis de salud pública?"
• 2018: "CNN Interview Dr. Joseph Sakran; Gun violence victim responses to NRA"
• 2019: House Judiciary Testimony
• 2019: Story in the Public Square
• 2019: Featured in The Atlantic, "Why Doctors Are Taking on the NRA"

Selected publications

• Sakran JV, Ezzeddine H, Schwab CW, Bonne S, Brasel KJ, Burd RS, Cuschieri J, Ficke J, Gaines BA, Giacino JT, Gibran NS, Haider A, Hall EC, Herrera-Escobar JP, Joseph B, Kao L, Kurowski BG, Livingston D, Mandell SP, Nehra D, Sarani B, Seamon M, Yonclas P, Zarzaur B, Stewart R, Bulger E, Nathens AB (May 2020). "Proceedings from the Consensus Conference on Trauma Patient-Reported Outcome Measures". Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 230 (5): 819–835. doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2020.01.032. PMID 32201197. S2CID 214617266.
• Campbell BT, Thaker S, Fallat ME, Foley DS, McClure E, Sakran JV, Nasr IW, Ziegfeld S, Ehrlich PF, Snodgrass M, Levy M, Naik-Mathuria BJ, Johnson B, Demello AS, Jones S, Watters JM, Burke P, Allee L, Kozyckyj T, Letton RW, Kuhls DA, Bulger EM, Stewart RM (January 2020). "A Multicenter Evaluation of a Firearm Safety Intervention in the Pediatric Outpatient Setting". Journal of Pediatric Surgery. 55 (1): 140–145. doi:10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2019.09.044. PMID 31753607.
• Choron RL, Spitzer S, Sakran JV (September 2019). "Firearm Violence in America: Is There a Solution?". Advances in Surgery. 53: 195–208. doi:10.1016/j.yasu.2019.04.019. PMID 31327446. S2CID 181758756.
• Bulger EM, Kuhls DA, Campbell BT, Bonne S, Cunningham RM, Betz M, Dicker R, Ranney ML, Barsotti C, Hargarten S, Sakran JV, Rivara FP, James T, Lamis D, Timmerman G, Rogers SO, Choucair B, Stewart RM (October 2019). "Proceedings from the Medical Summit on Firearm Injury Prevention: A Public Health Approach to Reduce Death and Disability in the US". Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 229 (4): 415–430.e12. doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2019.05.018. PMID 31108194.
• Hink AB, Bonne S, Levy M, Kuhls DA, Allee L, Burke PA, Sakran JV, Bulger EM, Stewart RM (September 2019). "Firearm injury research and epidemiology: A review of the data, their limitations, and how trauma centers can improve firearm injury research". The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 87 (3): 678–689. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000002330. PMID 31033891. S2CID 139104723.
• Joseph B, Zeeshan M, Sakran JV, Hamidi M, Kulvatunyou N, Khan M, O'Keeffe T, Rhee P (June 2019). "Nationwide Analysis of Resuscitative Endovascular Balloon Occlusion of the Aorta in Civilian Trauma". JAMA Surgery. 154 (6): 500–508. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2019.0096. PMC 6584250. PMID 30892574.
• Lunardi N, Mehta A, Ezzeddine H, Canner JK, Hamidi M, Jehan F, Joseph BA, Nathens AB, Efron DT, Diaz J, Sakran JV (March 2019). "Recurring emergency general surgery: Characterizing a vulnerable population". The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 86 (3): 464–470. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000002151. PMID 30605140. S2CID 58607216.
• He K, Sakran JV (March 2019). "Elimination of the Moratorium on Gun Research Is Not Enough: The Need for the CDC to Set a Budgetary Agenda". JAMA Surgery. 154 (3): 195–196. doi:10.1001/jamasurg.2018.4211. PMID 30484819. S2CID 53780883.
• Mehta A, Varma S, Efron DT, Joseph BA, Lunardi N, Haut ER, Cooper Z, Sakran JV (February 2019). "Emergency general surgery in geriatric patients: How should we evaluate hospital experience?". The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 86 (2): 189–195. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000002142. PMID 30444855. S2CID 53569243.
• Sakran JV, Mehta A, Fransman R, Nathens AB, Joseph B, Kent A, Haut ER, Efron DT (July 2018). "Nationwide trends in mortality following penetrating trauma: Are we up for the challenge?". The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 85 (1): 160–166. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000001907. PMID 29613947. S2CID 4590686.
• Mehta A, Efron DT, Stevens K, Manukyan MC, Joseph B, Sakran JV (May 2018). "Hospital variation in mortality after emergent bowel resections: The role of failure-to-rescue". The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 84 (5): 702–710. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000001827. PMID 29401188. S2CID 24331895.
• Mehta A, Dultz LA, Joseph B, Canner JK, Stevens K, Jones C, Haut ER, Efron DT, Sakran JV (June 2018). "Emergency general surgery in geriatric patients: A statewide analysis of surgeon and hospital volume with outcomes". The Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery. 84 (6): 864–875. doi:10.1097/TA.0000000000001829. PMID 29389841. S2CID 24542358.
• Gani F, Sakran JV, Canner JK (October 2017). "Emergency Department Visits For Firearm-Related Injuries In The United States, 2006-14". Health Affairs. 36 (10): 1729–1738. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2017.0625. PMID 28971917.
• Mehta A, Efron DT, Canner JK, Dultz L, Xu T, Jones C, Haut ER, Higgins RS, Sakran JV (November 2017). "Effect of Surgeon and Hospital Volume on Emergency General Surgery Outcomes". Journal of the American College of Surgeons. 225 (5): 666–675.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jamcollsurg.2017.08.009. PMID 28838870.

References

1. Flynn, Meagan (November 14, 2018). "Shot in the neck at 17, this is the trauma surgeon now leading doctors against gun violence and the NRA". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
2. "Joseph Sakran". Johns Hopkins Medicine. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
3. ^ Court, Emma (October 5, 2017). "This trauma surgeon, who was shot as a teenager, wants you to know gun violence happens every day". MarketWatch. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
4. Hobbs, Bonnie (October 15, 2018). "You Must Respect and Honor Human Life". Fairfax Connection. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
5. Pelisek, Christine (September 29, 2017). "Trauma Surgeon Shot in Throat at 17 Now Saves Other Victims' Lives — and Fights Against Gun Violence". People Magazine. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
6. "MSIH Alum, Dr. Joseph Sakran, speaks on the epidemic of Gun Violence in America". msih.bgu.ac.il. November 10, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
7. ^ Gross, Terry (November 28, 2018). "A Trauma Surgeon Who Survived Gun Violence Is Taking On The NRA". National Public Radio. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
8. Flynn, Meagan (November 14, 2018). "Shot in the neck at 17, this is the trauma surgeon now leading doctors against gun violence and the NRA". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 14, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
9. "National Academy of Medicine Elects 100 New Members". National Academy of Medicine. October 9, 2023. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
10. "Hillary Clinton". Twitter. January 3, 2016. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
11. "Archive of Recipients". HCUP Outstanding Article of the Year Awards. Archived from the original on August 2, 2023. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
12. "NRA". Twitter. November 7, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
13. "Joseph Sakran". Twitter. November 7, 2018. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
14. "2014 Resident Volunteer Award: Joseph V. Sakran". facs.org. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
15. George, Justin (November 27, 2016). "Trauma surgeon who survived shooting fights against gun violence". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
16. Haag, Matthew (November 13, 2018). "Doctors Revolt After N.R.A. Tells Them to 'Stay in Their Lane' on Gun Policy". The New York Times. Archived from the original on November 13, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2019.(subscription required)
17. Sakran, Joseph; Sathya, Chethan (August 29, 2017). "Covid-19 is removing crucial voices from patients' bedsides". CNN. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
18. Volsky, Igor; Sakran, Joseph (November 12, 2018). "How to end the scourge of gun violence? Open dialogue". CNN. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
19. Sakran, Joseph (March 18, 2019). "Dear NRA, of course doctors are part of the solution". CNN. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
20. Volsky, Igor; Sakran, Joseph (April 8, 2020). "Unlike US, New Zealand isn't just offering thoughts and prayers". CNN. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
21. Volsky, Igor; Sakran, Joseph (March 19, 2020). "Buying a gun isn't the answer to coronavirus". CNN. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
22. Gross, Terry (November 28, 2018). "A Trauma Surgeon Who Survived Gun Violence Is Taking On The NRA". NPR. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
23. "Chairman Thompson to Bring Gun Violence Survivor and Prevention Advocate to State of the Union". US House of Representatives (Mike Thompson). February 4, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
24. "Preventing Gun Violence: A Call to Action". House Judiciary. February 6, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
25. "2019 Class of Presidential Leadership Scholars Announced". Presidential Leadership Scholars. January 31, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
26. "Joseph Sakran named a Robert Wood Foundation Health Policy Fellow". The Johns Hopkins University. August 29, 2019. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
27. "Joseph Sakran". Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Health Policy Fellows. Retrieved April 25, 2020.
28. Rector, Kevin (January 30, 2020). "Hopkins surgeon, gun violence prevention advocate takes to Twitter to report 'death threat' left on his car". Baltimore Sun.
29. Victim of gun violence returns to the E.R., this time as the surgeon
30. Dr. Joseph Sakran On Gun Violence: We Are Facing A Public Health Crisis
31. Armas de fuego: ¿Enfrenta Estados Unidos una crisis de salud pública?
32. CNN Interview Dr. Joseph Sakran; Gun violence victim responses to NRA
33. House Judiciary Testimony
34. September 23, 2019: Joseph Sakran
35. Why Doctors Are Taking on the NRA

External links

• Official profile
• NPR Fresh Air: interview with Joseph Sakran (print with audio link)

• 1977 births
• Living people
• People from Fairfax, Virginia
• George Mason University alumni
• Ben-Gurion University of the Negev alumni
• Gun control advocates
• Harvard Kennedy School alumni
• Johns Hopkins University alumni
• 21st-century American firefighters
• 21st-century American physicians
• Members of the National Academy of Medicine