A Day in the Life at Center for Hope
Welcome to A Day in the Life at Center for Hope, a blog series highlighting the dedicated professionals who support individuals and families affected by trauma, violence and loss. Center for Hope (CFH) serves as a beacon for those facing difficult times, offering essential advocacy, counseling and resources. In this series, we’ll explore the work and perspectives of those who contribute to CFH’s mission daily.
Today, we meet Lamont Whitby, the first hospital responder at Grace Medical Center. In his role, Lamont provides critical support and advocacy for patients who arrive at the emergency department after experiencing violence. In this piece, he shares what led him to Center for Hope and how privileged he feels to be making a difference in the lives of those he serves.
Q1. Who are you, and what do you do at Center for Hope?
A. My name is Lamont Whitby, and I am the first hospital responder at Grace Medical Center. I support patients who come to the emergency department after experiencing violence. My role is to connect with them, help de-escalate the situation and provide the necessary resources to ensure a safe discharge from the hospital.
Q2. What brought you to the Center for Hope?
A. In 2020, while riding my bike, I stopped to catch up with some old high school friends. In an instant, my life changed; I was shot in the head as an innocent bystander and rushed to Johns Hopkins Hospital. While recovering, a hospital responder visited my bedside. We instantly connected, and he introduced me to a program called ROAR. I agreed to join and became part of a gunshot survivor peer recovery group.
During our weekly meetings, the doctors involved saw something in me. They encouraged me to become a hospital responder myself and advocated for my role. That support led me to where I am today—the first hospital responder at Grace Medical Center, a position I’ve proudly held for the last three years.
Q3. What do you enjoy most about your work as a hospital responder?
A. In a city where violence has sadly become normalized, I see it as both an honor and a privilege to help shift that mindset—to show the people of Baltimore that violence is not the answer. Many in our community don’t know what a hospital responder is, so when I approach a patient who has been a victim of violence, they’re often overwhelmed by the fact that someone they’ve never met genuinely cares about their safety and well-being. It’s a powerful moment, and it reinforces why this work is so important.
Q4. What is something interesting about you?
A. I've faced many hardships in life, but I have no regrets. It’s rewarding to know that my experiences—both the trials and the lessons learned—can bring a sense of peace and growth to victims of violence. My voice has become a tool for change, helping to shift the mindsets of both youth and adults toward something more positive and powerful. Outside of my work, I love being active, whether it’s exercising, biking or exploring the outdoors. And after everything I’ve been through, one of my greatest joys is simply making people smile.
Are you inspired by Lamont's story? Join us on this journey to help families find strength in their most difficult times. Learn more about Center for Hope and how you can make a difference.