Podcast Summary: Public Safety, Trust, and Violence Prevention in Healthcare Settings with Brian Uridge

Podcast: Becker’s Healthcare Podcast
Date: February 14, 2026
Host: Scott Becker
Guest: Brian Uridge, Senior Director of Public Safety and Security, University of Michigan Health System

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the growing importance of public safety, trust, and violence prevention within healthcare environments. Scott Becker interviews Brian Uridge, who shares his expertise gleaned from decades in integrated public safety roles. The conversation covers the evolution of violence in healthcare, the human and technological strategies to create safe environments, the importance of trust, and practical leadership lessons for professionals in the field.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Evolution of Public Safety in Healthcare

Timestamps: 02:15 – 05:56

• Statistical Reality of Healthcare Violence

  • Violence in healthcare settings is at an all-time high: 72% of all workplace violence occurs in healthcare ([03:09]).
  • "Two nurses are assaulted every single hour" (Press Ganey), yet this is likely underreported—only 26% of assaulted nurses file a report ([03:16]).

• Changing Societal Factors

  • Incidents of violence in all areas (airlines cited as an example) have increased post-pandemic, reflecting broader societal changes ([03:54]).
  • Crowded waiting rooms and long waits for care are major triggers for violence ([04:15]).

• Parallels between Healthcare and the Community

  • Hospitals operate like communities, with similar issues found throughout neighborhoods—highlighting the need for community-driven safety approaches ([05:13]).

Notable Quote:
"Every hospital system is a community and every floor is a neighborhood. Everything that you see happen out in the community ... it's the same in healthcare." — Brian Uridge [05:23]

Brian Uridge’s Career Pathway

Timestamps: 05:56 – 07:27

• Began career in Kalamazoo, serving in the largest fully integrated police, fire, and EMS department in the U.S.
• Retired as Assistant Chief after 25 years.
• Learned that public trust and relationships are at the heart of effective public safety ([06:31]).

Notable Quote:
"Those same principles of trust ... all of those apply in healthcare." — Brian Uridge [07:08]

Building Trust and “Winning the Crowd”

Timestamps: 07:27 – 08:57

• Safety is partly about perception: staff and visitors must both be objectively safe and feel safe.
• Relationship-based outreach and non-traditional public engagement are critical.
• Drawing on a "win the crowd" philosophy, likening it to a scene from "Gladiator," to inspire positive public engagement ([07:49]).

Notable Quote:
"If they don't feel safe, we've not accomplished our mission." — Brian Uridge [07:43]

Approaches to Public Safety in Health Systems

Timestamps: 09:15 – 10:12

• Most hospitals lack extensive security resources, so situational awareness and mental acuity remain the most effective safety tools ([09:21]).
• Training and engagement across all staff are crucial in promoting safety.

Integrating Technology and Human Connection

Timestamps: 10:12 – 13:21

• Advanced cameras and analytics can detect weapons, loitering, and altercations, but human presence and relationship-building are irreplaceable ([10:26]).

• Practical Strategy: Staff are encouraged daily to make connections both with new coworkers and with patients/visitors. The goal is to reduce anxiety through personal engagement ([10:45]).

• Behavioral Threat Assessment

  • Formation of multidisciplinary teams to detect and manage individuals on a "pathway to intended violence."
  • 54% of active shooters start with domestic violence; pre-incident indicators are often visible if staff are educated and engaged ([12:02]).
  • An anecdote highlights the real-life impact of these indicators—a nurse realized her own domestic situation mirrored the warning signs discussed in training ([12:42]).

Notable Quote:
"Emotion will always trump data. ... So we have to understand that focusing on that relationship-based public safety outreach is the number one key to keeping people safe." — Brian Uridge [08:30]

Intelligence, Data, and Privacy

Timestamps: 13:21 – 15:38

• Data privacy can limit access to crucial behavioral information.
• Building strong relationships with local law enforcement enables rapid, trust-based cooperation in high-risk scenarios ([14:21]).
• Trauma-informed care practices are foundational—understanding individual backgrounds to avoid re-traumatization and escalation ([14:52]).

2026 Priorities at Michigan Medicine

Timestamps: 15:48 – 17:15

1. Expanding Behavioral Threat Assessment Teams: Multi-disciplinary and proactive response to pre-violence indicators.
2. Training & Collaboration: Developing internal programs with nurse educators to lower both risk and anxiety for staff.
3. Technological Solutions: Focus on practical tools like analytic cameras and controlled access zones rather than reliance on metal detectors alone ([16:02]).

Notable Quote:
"You can build it in house. All you need is two things. You need people who care and people who are creative." — Brian Uridge [16:22]

Leadership Lessons and Advice

Timestamps: 18:29 – 20:00

• Story: First day as a sergeant, made a wrong call but was corrected by a more experienced colleague; the experience became a lifelong leadership guide ([18:37]).
• Advice for Emerging Leaders:
  1. Encourage a culture where staff feel free to disagree.
  2. Always solicit help and advice.
  3. Value the fresh perspective of newcomers, as they aren’t hindered by tunnel vision ([19:30]).

Notable Quote:
"Create a culture where your staff feel free to disagree ... always ask for help, always ask for advice ... the next person on scene ... always has a better idea because they don't have tunnel vision." — Brian Uridge [19:30]

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• On Healthcare Security’s Evolution:
  "This is before COVID we saw a 68% increase in violence in health care." — Brian Uridge [05:10]

• On Perception vs. Data:
  "Emotion will always trump data." — Brian Uridge [08:30]

• On Relationship-Building:
  "The most effective tool that you have is what's between your ears. It's your mind." — Brian Uridge [09:21]

• Leadership Wisdom:
  "I was scared to death ... my first decision, my first call. And it was wrong. But ... I learned ... always ask for help." — Brian Uridge [19:02]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 03:03 – Startling violence statistics in healthcare
• 05:10 – Pre-COVID surge in healthcare violence
• 07:43 – The necessity of feeling safe, not just being safe
• 10:45 – Process for daily staff engagement and "Disney" philosophy
• 12:42 – Real-life example of domestic violence warning signs among staff
• 14:21 – Importance of relationships with law enforcement
• 16:22 – In-house training: "people who care and people who are creative"
• 19:30 – Brian’s leadership advice

Tone and Style

The conversation is candid, empathetic, and insightful, blending data-driven observations with human stories and practical advice. Brian Uridge emphasizes humility, creativity, and the foundational importance of relationships and trust—both in security practice and leadership.