Ascension St. John supports victims of human trafficking

Posted on: 10/24/25

At Ascension St. John Medical Center, Tulsa, the St. John Human Trafficking Education and Response program actively works with first responders, educators, social services and tribal nations with the goal of improving the community’s ability to identify, respond and support victims of human trafficking. The program has helped more than 350 victims in the past six years. 

By training all hospital staff to recognize signs of trafficking, they connect survivors with essential long-term care and resources, helping them safely exit dangerous situations and begin rebuilding their lives. Everyone in the hospital, from janitors to doctors, receives training. 

"Ascension's main goal is to bring compassionate care to those who are vulnerable in our community," said Sara Gadd, the human trafficking program manager at Ascension St. John. "Human trafficking victims are the most vulnerable people I think we have ever met."

Ascension St. John’s human trafficking education and response program serves as a model for other hospitals and earlier this year was honored by the Tulsa Police Department.

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