Reflections from the Workplace Violence Prevention Summit
The recent Workplace Violence Prevention Summit brought together healthcare leaders, nurse educators, local law enforcement, and frontline professionals to tackle one of the most pressing issues in healthcare today — workplace violence. With 50 participants from across KentuckianaWorks’ region, the event served as both a call to action and a space for genuine collaboration and shared learning.
“Workplace violence, regardless if you’re in healthcare or another industry, it is prevalent, it is important. We want to be able to equip our employees with how best to manage it when it does happen, and also what to do after the fact.”
Real Conversations, Real Change
One of the summit’s most impactful moments came during a panel discussion highlighting that 75% of workplace violence incidents occur in healthcare settings. This sobering statistic grounded the conversations that followed — and fueled a shared commitment to change.
Managers across multiple health systems shared best practices and engaged in open dialogue about prevention strategies, response protocols, and staff support. Nurse educators took part in direct conversations with employers to explore how to better prepare students to meet real-world challenges related to workplace violence. The collaborative spirit enabled managers and educators to address this issue within the larger context of the nursing shortage and crisis - from a systems level approach. KentuckianaWorks proudly provided this platform as the organizing entity behind the Healthcare Collaborative of Greater Louisville (HCCGL) which routinely brings together employers, educators, and other stakeholders in the healthcare space.
Lifelong Learning and Professional Impact
Twenty-nine participating nurses earned four hours of learning credit, reflecting the summit’s role as both an educational and professional development opportunity. But the true impact goes far beyond attendance numbers or credits earned. The ripple effect—as nurses and healthcare leaders take best practices back to their colleagues—will continue to improve both workplace culture and patient care.
A Model Worth Replicating
The Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA) expressed strong interest in taking this important work statewide, recognizing the summit’s value in fostering connection and progress. KHA also signaled enthusiasm for partnering on future events, ensuring this dialogue continues to grow and reach more healthcare institutions across Kentucky. Participants echoed this excitement, asking a common question: “When’s the next one?” The energy in the room made it clear that this conversation was just the beginning.
One especially powerful example came from UofL Health, which has integrated a social worker dedicated to supporting employees as part of its workplace violence prevention efforts. This presenter’s perspective resonated deeply, and other hospitals expressed interest in adopting similar resources to better support their teams.
“KHA hopes to do more of these. I’m hoping to replicate this throughout the state.”
Looking Ahead
From candid conversations to actionable ideas, the summit underscored one essential truth: safety and empathy go hand in hand. As this initiative grows, the hope is that every healthcare worker—no matter where they serve—feels safe, supported, and valued.
Changing Lives
KentuckianaWorks is focused on changing lives through our workforce programming. This work comes in many forms, from helping workers find jobs and training, to making sure young adults have a support system as they start their careers. Through the Workplace Violence Prevention Summit and other resources focused on improving job quality, we believe the lives of workers and those they serve are being changed for the better. Learn more about our resources for employers here: kentuckianaworks.org/employers.
