Jack Hickey is a big proponent of integration.
As administrative director of safety and corporate risk at suburban Chicago’s Edward Hospital and Health Services, Hickey’s staff is trained to integrate themselves into the campus community so that they are viewed as an important part of the hospital’s team. The 20-plus-year security veteran is also a big believer in integration of technology, recently installing a fully integrated video and alarm monitoring system.
With officers bought in to the concept that they must collaborate with the staff and patients that they serve, combined with technology that complements and maximizes the effort of security personnel, Hickey and his staff continued to provide a safe medical environment even as the main campus underwent a major expansion during the past several years. Campus Safety recently caught up with Hickey to find out more about how his integrated approach keeps the Edward campus safe and secure.
CS: How much of an issue is security at a medical campus such as Edward, which is located in an upscale community?
Hickey: This is a well-regarded hospital in a community that Money magazine recently ranked as the third best place to live in the United States, but we need to be eternally vigilant with regard to safety. The hospital continues to grow to serve the community, and with that growth comes new safety and security challenges.
