In June, as part of National Safety Month, medical school leaders provided faculty, residents, students, and staff with important information about workplace, campus, patient care, and personal safety.
With the initiative, ² (WMed) joined other organizations from across the country in raising awareness about safety with the campaign “Safety starts with WMed”, which included the sharing of information, safety tips, and reminders through various internal communication channels.
“We are committed to providing a safe and secure campus and workplace for the entire medical school community. National Safety Month is an opportunity to increase awareness about the important topic of safety,” said Drake Olson, Chief Safety and Security Officer.
Communication is a priority at WMed. The medical school uses an emergency notification system, which sends both text and email messages, to inform all in the campus community of an emergency including severe weather conditions. In 2023, a new application, the Rave Panic Button, was implemented as an enhancement. While on any of the medical school campus locations, an individual who has the app on their mobile phone can send an alert to notify the campus community of an active assailant such as an active shooter. Panic buttons have also been installed at each WMed campus site that, when pushed, alert law enforcement of a potential problem.
Everyone at the medical school is required to complete annual online training modules related to safety. Campus Safety Authorities (CSAs) receive additional training as they are tasked with reporting any allegations of crimes to Olson should they occur. WMed holds fire and tornado drills regularly during the year at all campus locations and conducts a test of its emergency notification system in June.
“Safety is a shared responsibility. We ask everyone at the medical school to commit to safety and take personal responsibility for their own safety at school, work, and at home,” said Olson.