Ep. 132: The Law Enforcement Lens on Healthcare Safety and Prevention

Cultivating a nourished environment free from violence.  In this episode, Dr. John Voight, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Hermann Woodlands Medical Center, talks about shifting from infrastructure-based security to clinical prevention strategies. He discusses implementing diagnosis-specific training and using early identification tools such as STAMP to anticipate aggression. He also highlights the importance of leadership engagement through "listening tours" and town halls to build staff trust. This episode focuses on creating a culture of safety by moving from reactive security to proactive, compassionate clinical care and leadership accountability.  Tune in to cultivate a safe, nourishing environment for your team! About Dr. John Voight: Dr. John Voight is an Army veteran and former law enforcement officer who transitioned into healthcare as an emergency department nurse. He currently serves as the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Memorial Hermann Woodlands Medical Center. He co-chairs the System Workplace Violence Committee and is a national speaker on workplace violence prevention strategies, leveraging his unique background in combat training and policing to improve healthcare safety.  What You’ll Learn In This Episode: The difference between Workplace Violence 1.0, which focuses on infrastructure, and 2.0, which prioritizes clinical interventions. How early identification tools like STAMP allow nurses to recognize signs of aggression before they escalate. Why treating behavioral health crises as medical emergencies, similar to strokes or heart attacks, leads to faster stabilization. The necessity of hands-on, role-based de-escalation training to build muscle memory in high-risk scenarios. How leadership "listening tours" and rounding provide more valuable safety feedback than standard surveys. Strategies for modifying the clinical environment, such as using LED lights, to reduce triggers for neurodivergent populations. Links & Resources: Connect with and follow Dr. John Voight on LinkedIn or e-mail him! Follow Memorial Hermann on LinkedIn and explore their Website! Check out the 33 Scripts Guide to Address Disruptive Behaviour here! Buy Renee Thompson’s book Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility here! Grab a copy of Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! here. Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here! Have a question for Renee? Email us at [email protected] to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode! Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases. Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share with your colleagues. Your support helps us reach more healthcare leaders working to create better work environments.