MHA Accountable Leaders Convening Highlights Leadership, Collaboration In Workplace Violence Prevention And Intervention

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Health care leaders from across Missouri convened Sept. 23 in Columbia, Mo., for “Accountable Leaders for Worker and Environmental Safety,” a multidisciplinary program focused on advancing workplace violence prevention, workforce well-being and organizational safety. Participants represented operations, nursing, security, emergency management, human resources, risk management, quality and executive leadership.

The convening generated strong engagement and networking, with one participant noting that the quality of the presentations, discussions and peer-to-peer learning opportunities could have easily supported a two-day program.

Throughout the day, presenters emphasized that workplace violence prevention is not the responsibility of a single department, but a shared organizational commitment requiring leadership engagement, cross-functional collaboration and accountability.

Keynote speaker Lynn M. Van Male explored comprehensive approaches to workplace violence prevention and behavioral threat assessment, helping set the foundation for discussions that followed. Additional sessions highlighted integrated prevention and response programs, caregiver support and recovery initiatives, trauma-informed care principles, workforce safety innovations, and strategies for building sustainable multidisciplinary workplace violence prevention programs.

Representatives from BJC Health System, SSM Health, Mosaic Life Care, and University Health shared practical lessons learned, implementation strategies, and innovations related to leadership support, training, peer support, technology, security, advocacy, and organizational culture.

A recurring theme throughout the convening was the need to move beyond reacting to incidents and instead building systems that support prevention, preparedness, reporting, recovery and continuous improvement while maintaining a focus on workforce well-being.

Participants were encouraged to identify one action they would take within their own organizations and to continue engaging in statewide collaboration efforts focused on health care workplace violence prevention.

Violence should never be accepted as part of the job. Building safer health care environments is a shared responsibility, and everyone has a role to play.