2024 So. Cal. Hospital Security Officers of the Year

Officer Fernando Coria, CHOC Children’s Hospital (left)

“On Thursday, September 12, 2024, CHOC Security was notified by our construction team that Orange PD had been contacted due to threats written in two different areas. These threats included specific dates and antisemitic graphics. Shortly after this discovery was reported to Administration, our team was tasked with proposing a mitigation plan, out of an abundance of caution, to screen everyone coming onto the property through the weekend.

Our Security Leadership developed a plan that involved locking all exterior doors and directing all traffic through designated entry points. To implement this successfully, additional security officers were required to screen and search everyone entering the hospital, while badge access was restricted to certain areas. In less than 12 hours, Security managed to staff an additional 24 officers each day over the following four days. Hundreds of people were searched and screened daily to ensure the safety of all on campus. During this period, Security successfully prevented any threats, weapons, or drugs from entering the premises.

To recognize the entire security department, we nominate Fernando Coria, Account Manager, to represent this team effort in executing the heightened security measures so promptly. The CHOC security team did not hesitate to take on additional shifts and implement new processes to protect everyone on our premises. All officers demonstrated a high standard of customer service and professionalism throughout this incident.”