News Releases

Forum Sheds Light on Violence Against Healthcare Workers

Violence against healthcare workers was the topic of a forum coordinated by The Center for Health Affairs’ Behavioral Health RoundTable on Friday, May 22 at Lutheran Medical Center. The event, entitled Mary Ann Jerse-O’Connor Community Forum: Healthcare Workers Protecting Each Other, featured 16 experts from the behavioral health and law communities and was named in honor of Mary Ann Jerse-O’Connor, a Cleveland native who was shot and killed during her residency by one of her patients.

Speakers covered a variety of topics including descriptions of real-life experiences of violence against healthcare workers, predictors of violence and models of community collaboration that have been successful. The event included two panel sessions, one on crimes in the healthcare environment and another on best practices.

“Unfortunately, violence against healthcare workers is a growing concern, both in Ohio and nationally,” explained Pam Waite, director of healthcare workforce and NEONI operations at The Center. “Our care providers are knowledgeable, skilled and compassionate and serve people who are in many different circumstances; but increasingly, their own safety is at risk. We need to create a culture of safety within our organizations and among all caregivers, and send the message that violence will not be tolerated in any healthcare environment in order to protect the patient, family and staff."

Nearly 100 people attended the event, which also drew the attention of the press. Newsnet5’s Chief Investigative Reporter Ron Regan covered the event and interviewed two of the speakers beforehand. WCPN journalist Sarah Jane Tribble will feature the topic as part of her Be Well series.

For more information about what can be done to minimize violence against healthcare workers or to be a part of this conversation in the future, contact Pam Waite at 216.255.3650 or via email.