For the first time, staff at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute held a moment of silence for #HAVhope Friday on June 6, to raise awareness about hospital and workplace violence.
Violence in hospitals has become a pressing issue across the U.S. in recent years and poses a threat not only to medical staff but also to the welfare of patients. In 2022, there were more than 2.1 million nonfatal incidences and nearly 74,000 fatal violence-related injuries in the U.S., according to a research report released in March 2025 by Harborview Injury Prevention and Research Center at the University of Washington.
Karmanos locations in Dearborn, Farmington Hills, Roseville, KSP Specialty Pharmacy, and Karmanos' research and administrative offices, including the Clinical Trials Office and the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement, also participated in the meaningful day and honored the moment of silence from their respective areas. Among the staff present at Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit was Marie Dittman, RN, an infusion nurse who delivered a profound speech regarding the movement.
“#HAVhope is more than a hashtag — it’s a promise. A promise to foster a culture of safety, to speak up when something isn’t right, and to work together toward a more respectful, peaceful environment where healing can truly happen,” said Dittman, a member of the Incivility Workgroup at Karmanos
The American Hospital Association ™ launched this nationwide campaign nine years ago in 2016. Each year, medical institutions across the country join to spread their mission. The hashtag #HAVhope, which stands for Hospitals Against Violence, serves to mobilize violence prevention within hospitals. Through this initiative, hospitals expand policy and training offered to staff while also making mental health resources available for those in need of assistance.
“Karmanos Cancer Center implemented the Workplace Violence Prevention program in August of 2022. Through this group and the corporate coalition, we have refined our workplace violence policies and pushed out mandatory de-escalation training,” explained Valerie Fred, workplace violence prevention officer and business operations analyst.
Beyond commitment to transformative cancer care, research, and education — driven by courage, dedication, and compassion — Karmanos remains devoted to the safety of everyone in our facilities.