Violent individuals leave warning signs that, when taken seriously, can help stop issues from escalating.
The key, said threat assessment expert Mario Scalora, PhD, is to report such concerns.
On Thursday, Dr. Scalora shared insights into how to reduce workplace violence during UNMC’s All-Campus Forum. Dr. Scalora is director of the Public Policy Center and professor of psychology with the Clinical Training and Law-Psychology Programs at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Individuals who have been violent do not snap, he said. "They put out warning signs and intention in their communication — both in terms of escalating intensity of their communications toward folks as well as showing more of an angry or violent tone."
Nationally, "the temperature in the room is very hot," Dr. Scalora said. "There’s a lot going on and when targeted violence happens in one sector it tends to happen in other sectors," citing recent violence from supermarkets and schools to health care facilities and, most recently, an Independence Day parade.
Anger or a difference of opinion alone is not concerning, he said; "we worry about the folks who push that and show a lot of energy and effort behind their grievance."
Bottom line: Trust your judgment; trust your gut. If anything raises suspicion or concern — or is an escalation of anger with a more violent tone — reach out to UNMC Public Safety or discuss your concerns with a supervisor, who can help process the information. "The earlier we hear about it, the easier it is to mitigate that behavior and address it before more challenging situations arise," Dr. Scalora said.
Charlotte Evans, chief of police and associate vice chancellor for the UNMC Department of Public Safety, agreed. Individuals should be both aware of their surroundings and vigilant toward precursors of threats or violence, she said, reiterating a phrase she’s said before: "It’s not a matter of if, but when, where and how."
Members of the medical center community can view the forum.
On Thursday, Chief Evans shared a new online option for individuals who prefer to stay anonymous when reporting suspicious or threatening behavior. The "Report a Concern" button can be accessed via Public Safety’s Internet page, the safety pages of UNMC’s intranet and, soon, via the footer of the UNMC website.
The tool is for non-emergent safety concerns such as threats, theft and other concerning behavior and belated incidents. For immediate or emergency assistance, individuals should call 911 or the med center’s Public Safety Office at 402-559-5555. Read more about the reporting tool.
Chief Evans also encouraged campus units to contact the UNMC Department of Public Safety and UNMC Office of Emergency Management to request walkthrough assessments of their workplaces, which will help individual departments review their emergency plans.
In other matters, Jane Meza, PhD, interim executive director for health security for UNMC and UNO, and Dr. Gold noted:
- Changes to the weekly testing requirement for faculty, staff and students who have been exempted from UNMC’s COVID-19 vaccination requirement, which was implemented last year. Beginning July 11, individuals will no longer be required to test weekly.
- Continued vigilance with COVID-19, as cases have risen on both UNMC’s campuses and across the state (test numbers likely do not include results of home tests). Boosters are encouraged for all individuals, and vaccines are now available for children six months to five years. The predominate subvariant in the U.S. and Nebraska is now BA.5, Dr. Gold said.
- The Douglas County Health Department recently reported a second probable case of monkeypox. "We need an awareness in our communities….and (because numbers are doubling in the U.S. and may be underreported) we need to be super vigilant with a disease whose prodrome looks like fevers and chills and congestion – much like influenza, much like the early stages of COVID – but typically ends up with a much longer incubation period and the characteristic pox rash."
In other news, Dr. Gold also referenced:
- Ongoing leadership searches, noting that finalists are being interviewed for the vice chancellor for research position and the search committees for both the College of Nursing and College of Dentistry dean positions are selecting search firms before sourcing candidates.
- Construction along Saddle Creek, noting that the program statement for the innovation hub soon will go to the business and finance committee of the NU Board of Regents.
- Demolition continues on the former Munroe-Meyer Institute complex on the main UNMC campus as does planning for Project NExT, which likely would sit on the former MMI site.
- The importance of energy curtailment efforts across campus, especially on days of high heat and humidity. Dr. Gold reminded the audience to take simple steps – closing curtains, turning off lights in empty areas and shutting fume hoods – to help reduce energy.
- Campus celebrations for Juneteenth and Pride Month, including the upcoming July 16 Pride Parade in downtown Omaha. "There’s no question we are better, and our institution stronger, when we recognize and celebrate the talents and contributions of all individuals," Dr. Gold said.
- How June 2022 marked five years since the opening of the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center. Since that time, more than 17,500 people have been cared for in the CL Werner Cancer Hospital; more than $215 million in new grant funding has been awarded to cancer researchers in the Suzanne and Walter Scott Research Tower and 76 new physicians and scientists have joined or will soon join the cancer center.
In closing, Dr. Gold thanked the faculty, staff and students for their excellence and dedication to UNMC’s mission. He again reinforced the spectrum of services that are available to support the resiliency and mental health of the med center family and wished everyone a safe and enjoyable summer.