June Workplace Violence Prevention Forum
IHA’s second Workplace Violence Forum of 2026 was held on June 2, bringing together healthcare leaders from across New York to exchange insights, discuss emerging trends, and explore strategies to strengthen workplace violence prevention efforts. The forum featured expert presentations on the sociological drivers of workplace violence, updates on state budget and legislative developments, and a collaborative discussion of recent incidents, response approaches, and ongoing challenges facing hospitals and health systems.
Highlights from the forum included:
- Sociological Perspective on Hospital Workplace Violence: Dr. Christopher Morley from Upstate Medical University delivered a comprehensive presentation to the group on the prevalence, causes, and impacts of workplace violence in healthcare, emphasizing the need for multi-level, proactive prevention strategies and legislative responses.
- State Budget and Legislative Updates for Healthcare: Lauren Ford, with support from Grace Rust, provided the group with a detailed update on the New York State budget, highlighting significant investments in hospital and health system funding, new legislative provisions affecting workplace violence prevention, and ongoing advocacy efforts.
- Discussion of Workplace Violence Incidents and Response Strategies: Participants engaged in a discussion about recent workplace violence incidents at their facilities, sharing practical experiences and strategies for prevention and response, with a focus on behavioral emergency response teams, de-escalation training, and the challenges of managing behavioral health crises in medical settings.
If you are interested in the meeting materials or have any questions related to the Workplace Violence Prevention Forum series, please contact Andrew Nault at [email protected].
Hospital Mutual Aid Agreement Update
The Hospital Mutual Aid Agreement Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Capital Region and Central Region HEPCs has been in effect since 2014 and remains unchanged. However, given the significant changes in hospital organizations and leadership across the region over the past decade, HEPC members recognized the importance of updating the signatory list and raising awareness of the agreement, particularly among CEOs and organizational leaders who have joined since its original execution.
During the first quarter of 2026, HEPC members conducted a thorough review of the MOU and determined that no revisions to the agreement’s content were necessary.
A refreshed version of the Hospital Mutual Aid Agreement MOU is currently being finalized, with execution and signatures expected by the end of the third quarter of 2026. Once completed, the finalized agreement will be distributed to all member organizations.
Please reach out to Andrew Nault at [email protected] or (518) 348-7433 with any questions.