With more than three decades of experience at the intersection of law enforcement and healthcare, Brian Uridge is known for transforming security cultures. Today he oversees public safety for the University of Michigan’s academic medical center, orchestrating K-9, community-policing, and clinical-training units that safeguard 34,000 employees and welcome roughly three million patient encounters each year. His blueprint emphasizes evidence-based risk assessment, technology integration, and staff empowerment through scenario-based drills.
Uridge’s public-safety journey began with Kalamazoo Public Safety, where he advanced through every rank to Assistant Chief, managed a $34 million budget, and led a SWAT team credited with a 20 percent reduction in major crime. He later served Spectrum Health as Director of Security Services, introducing the system’s first pet-therapy K-9 corps and creating a home-health tactical-safety program.
An alumnus of Ferris State University (BS, Criminal Justice) and Western Michigan University (MPA), Uridge graduated from the elite FBI National Academy—an honor afforded to fewer than two percent of U.S. officers. He holds CPP, CHPA, and CTM credentials and contributes to ASIS International, the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals, and IAHSS. Outside the hospital, he mentors aspiring pilots and supports community wellness charities.
Violence against healthcare workers continues to reach new highs. In response, many healthcare providers have policy guidelines and implemented operational procedures that seek to protect them, including the use of technology to monitor facilities and alert security personnel.
Technology has aided the process, keeping them safe from external aggression. These technologies might range from proactive communication tools to technologies that ensure situational awareness.
Video surveillance and AI-driven monitoring can protect healthcare employees from possible violent attacks. Security cameras with AI capabilities can detect physical altercations, individuals entering restricted areas, and irregular movements and alert security personnel. Some AI-driven security cameras can use behavior analysis and facial recognition to identify and flag people with a history of violent incidents.
In addition, some healthcare facilities use panic buttons and wearable alert systems. They incorporate them into ID badges, wall-mounted buttons, and wearable pendants. Panic button systems allow staff to secretly call for help during emergencies. They immediately notify the security personnel or the designated responder. Panic button systems also help de-escalate violent situations.
Real-time location systems (RTLS) resemble panic buttons and wearable alerts. RTLS helps employers track the real-time location of equipment, employees, and patients, especially in environments with a higher risk of violence. If a staff member, like a nurse, feels unsafe, security personnel or supervisors can track their real-time location, allowing for a quick response. RTLS can also ease tension in crowded areas by identifying where patient flow is backing up and prompting resource adjustments before situations escalate, making it particularly useful in ERs, psychiatric units, and correctional health settings.
Equally important is the ability to report and analyze incidents efficiently. Traditional paper-based systems often discourage timely reporting, but digital platforms have streamlined the process. These tools allow healthcare staff to log incidents quickly and confidentially through mobile apps or computers, often with helpful features like voice-to-text and customizable fields. The real advantage comes from the analytics: leaders can identify patterns, track recurring offenders, and pinpoint specific departments or shifts where violence tends to spike. This data is essential for making informed training, staffing, and security investment decisions.
Access control systems are key to ensuring the safety of healthcare workers. This technology limits access to sensitive areas within the healthcare facility. Some healthcare facilities use electronic access control systems installed in employee badge readers, keypad entries, and biometric scanners. For instance, only surgeons can enter surgical rooms, while administrative personnel are limited to patients’ records and data. Access control systems usually ensure physical security and serve as an audit trail to investigate incidents.
Finally, in fast-paced healthcare settings, where tensions can escalate quickly, effective communication is key to ensuring staff safety. Secure messaging apps and mobile coordination tools allow healthcare workers to send discreet alerts when a threat is developing, like a nurse quietly notifying security without leaving, a patient’s side or alarming the aggressor. These platforms also enable broader communication across departments during serious incidents, such as lockdowns or active threats, helping staff stay informed and respond swiftly without creating panic.