Here are the security measures Memphis hospitals are taking after Campbell Clinic shooting

In the aftermath of the Campbell Clinic shooting that killed surgeon Benjamin Mauck, hospitals around the area are looking for ways to improve their security. Many said they had been looking to do so even before the recent tragedy.

Larry Pickens was in one of the examination rooms inside Campbell Clinic's Collierville location on July 11 when police said he fatally shot Mauck. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, healthcare workers face a higher risk of workplace violence than many other professions.

"From 2016 to 2020 there were 207 deaths due to violence in the workplace in the health care and social assistance industry within the private sector," according to the federal agency.

The Memphis Medical Society issued a statement Friday afternoon condemning violence against healthcare workers, saying the local community "is in mourning" after learning of Mauck's death and called for laws to address gun violence.

"One topic that we can universally condemn and call for more action to address is violence against healthcare workers," said Memphis Medical Society CEO Clint Cummins. "This encompasses all forms of violence, including gun violence. These situations have become all too common in our hospitals and clinical practices. Our colleagues in trauma and emergency departments know this all too well. As we learned this week, violence against healthcare workers is not exclusive to them."

In addition to asking for laws that could curb gun violence, the Memphis Medical Society also called for laws that would enact stricter penalties for violence against healthcare workers.

"Our hope is that the Tennessee General Assembly special session on public safety can be an important first step towards creating a safer environment for our entire state, including our healthcare facilities," Cummins said. "It is imperative for all of us to work with our elected officials to take meaningful measures to save lives. The time to act is now. We are prepared to work with our patients and community leadership for a safer Shelby County."

Read more: Dr. Benjamin Mauck remembered as brilliant surgeon, 'beloved colleague'

Mid-South healthcare systems acknowledged that they were not alone in figuring out how to combat violence against healthcare workers. Local hospitals and healthcare institutions have all been ramping up security measures and will continue to do so, using techniques ranging from active shooter training to installing license plate readers to enhance security.

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare

Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, which has multiple hospitals and outpatient locations around the Memphis area, expressed condolences for Mauck's family and those who worked with him, as well as reiterating a commitment to patient and employee safety.

"Our condolences are with the family, friends and colleagues of Dr. Ben Mauck as our community reels from this latest senseless act of gun violence. On any Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare campus, the safety of our patients, employees, providers, physicians and visitors is a top priority," the hospital system said. "We appreciate the efforts of local law enforcement to make our community safer and stand ready to partner to find a solution to curb this unacceptable behavior in our region."

Methodist said it has also offered employees additional training in workplace violence and active shooter training and installed Flock Safety License Plate Reader cameras at its campuses.

Other plans for future safety enhancements at Methodist locations include limiting entry points and "beefing up" the presence of trained security personnel at facilities.

Regional One Health

Regional One Health said the provider will continue to maintain a presence of "skilled security officers" on location along with regular training for its staff.

"Workplace violence in the health care setting is, unfortunately, a reality that weighs heavily on those who work in the industry," strategic communications director Angie Golding said in an email statement. "Like all health systems, Regional One Health has long had protocols in place to detect and deter violence against team members. Some of these efforts include having a strong presence of skilled security officers, offering regular employee training and fostering an environment that encourages situational awareness and a focus on 'if you see something, say something.'"

The security staff at regional one, both those seen around the building and not seen, are trained to identify suspicious behavior and act when they see it, Golding said.

Golding said Regional One employees go through annual training on recognizing and diffusing workplace violence, along with specialized active shooter training.

"We actually have situational awareness and de-escalation training scheduled for interested staff beginning next month," Golding said. "We had these sessions scheduled prior to the tragic events of this week, but this is one example of our added security efforts."

Saint Francis Healthcare

Saint Francis has invested in additional security measures prior to the shooting at Campbell Clinic and said they plan to continue to implement those upgrades to their campuses in Shelby County.

"Our hearts are with the family of Dr. Benjamin Mauck during this difficult time," the hospital system said in an email statement. "Prior to this incident, we made a significant investment to enhance our security on our campuses and upgrades will continue to be implemented. Saint Francis Healthcare takes the security and safety of our employees, patients, physicians and visitors very seriously."

Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation

Baptist Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Services public information officer Kim Alexander said they were saddened to hear about the shooting at Campbell Clinic, noting that violence against any healthcare professional impacts the whole community.

"We are saddened by the tragic incident that occurred at Campbell Clinic," an email statement from Baptist read. "While it did not directly involve any of our employees, our hearts go out to Dr. Benjamin Mauck's family, the office staff and others who were nearby. Any violence against a healthcare professional affects all of us in the medical community."

Baptist also said there is concern over "increasing violence" across the county, adding that the medical provider will be increasing security investments at their facilities. Baptist is also reaching out to community leaders and organizers to help combat rising violence around Memphis.

Statistics from the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission have pointed to an increase in violent crime, including murders, compared to last year.

Baptist has already added security measures to protect medical staff, patients and visitors prior to the shooting by hiring a system director of security, giving annual safety training that includes active shooter training, having security officers patrol campuses regularly, adding better lighting to parking lots, installing security cameras, using "advanced technology" like Flock Safety License Plate Reader cameras, offering escorts to vehicles for employees and visitors, and collaborating with Shelby County's various law enforcement agencies on staffing and responses.

Brooke Muckerman covers county government for The Commercial Appeal. She can be reached via email at Brooke.Muckerman@CommercialAppeal.com and followed on Twitter @BrookeMuckerman.

Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com and followed on Twitter @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Campbell Clinic shooting: Memphis healthcare facilities talk security