Hi John,

My name is Dr. Joe Sakran. I’m a trauma surgeon at Johns Hopkins, and I serve as Board Chair and Chief Medical Officer at Brady.

I love being a trauma surgeon. But I didn’t come to this work by passion alone. I was brought here by personal tragedy.

That second chance shaped the course of my life. I went on to study under the very surgeons who saved me. Now, I stand on the front lines — treating gunshot victims every day in Baltimore, and working nationally to end gun violence before it ever reaches the Trauma Center.

Let me be clear: No matter how skilled a surgeon may be, the best treatment for gunshot wounds is prevention.

That’s why I’m asking you to stand with me and add your name to Brady’s urgent petition demanding that Congress take action to address gun violence in America.

We’ve made huge strides in this movement, but with Donald Trump threatening a return to policies that fueled a rise in gun violence, we have to fight harder than ever to protect the progress we’ve made.

The NRA once told doctors like me to “stay in our lane.” What they fail to understand is this is our lane. I’ve held the hands of parents whose children didn’t make it home. I’ve seen the trauma that ripples through families, communities, schools, and economies.

Gun violence isn’t just a crime issue — it’s a public health crisis. And we need multi-faceted solutions: stronger laws, safer communities, better data, and relentless advocacy.

This work cannot wait. Please, join me in calling on Congress to take action and save lives.

I was lucky to survive. Far too many others aren’t. Let’s do everything we can, together, to end this epidemic.

With gratitude,

Dr. Joe Sakran

Gun Violence Survivor

Brady Board Chair and Chief Medical Officer

Trauma Surgeon