Nearly 200 officials from hospitals across the state are expected to attend a daylong conference to address workplace violence in the health care setting May 2 at Turning Stone Casino in Verona, N.Y.

The conference is part of Upstate University Hospital’s Respect and Heal initiative, which aims to ensure the safe and respectful treatment of health care workers.

Respect and Heal was launched in the fall of 2023 and includes support from the, Auburn Community Hospital; Carthage Area Hospital, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, Crouse Health, Guthrie Clinic, Mohawk Valley Health System, Oneida Health, Oswego Health, Rome Health, St. Joseph's Health, Samaritan Medical Center, UHS System.

"We are proud to bring together nearly 200 healthcare leaders from across the state in united support of creating safer hospitals for everyone—patients, families, and staff alike,” said Upstate University Hospital CEO Robert Corona, DO, MBA. “The widespread commitment to the Respect and Heal initiative reflects how seriously our hospitals take the issue of workplace violence. This conference is not only about addressing critical challenges, but also about learning from each other and strengthening the safety and respect we owe to those who provide and receive care every day."

Since the campaign began last fall, hospital officials have gathered to discuss violence prevention strategies and ways to create safe environments for patients and those caring and supporting them. At a safety summit held last year, officials shared best practices and covered various topics including sociological trends and data; new and available safety technologies; risk assessment tools; de-escalation techniques; and resourcing and building a K-9 security program.

Upstate Medical University President Mantosh Dewan, MD, will join Corona in making opening remarks at the conference at 9 a.m.

Paul Sarnese, owner and founder of Secured and Prepared Consulting, will deliver the keynote address, Leading Practices to Mitigate Violence in Healthcare, at the May conference. Sarnese is past president of the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety, and has been leader in shaping industry standards and best practices for workplace security and safety.

Among the featured presentations are sessions on managing behavioral health crises, the impact of workplace violence in healthcare, the role of workplace violence coordinators, the impact of education and technology in protecting healthcare workers and legislative solutions to workplace violence in healthcare

A special presentation will focus on K-9 security teams in healthcare facilities, which is growing in popularity.  A special appearance will be made by Bassett Healthcare Network first K-9 security member Hudson and his handler.  Hudson joined the Bassett security team in 2019. Guthrie, based in Sayre, Penn., announced its first-ever K9 security team earlier this month.

Event sponsors include ACHE, Axon, Cen Trak, Davin Healthcare and Petrone Risk.

Caption: Onondaga County District Attorney William Fitzpatrick speaks during the announcement of Respect and Heal in 2023. Listening on are Upstate University Hospital CEO Robert Corona, DO, MBA, left, and Crouse Health CEO Seth Kronenberg, MD.