Losefsky takes action to improve Hershey campus safety

He worked security detail when former U.S. President George H.W. Bush flew out of Pease National Air Guard Base in New Hampshire. He earned a Lindberg Bell Award for implementing an outstanding health care security program at the New Hampshire Veterans Home. Now, Bill Losefsky is enhancing workplace safety as the director of security on the Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine campus.

Although he’s been in the position for just four months (he joined Penn State Health in November 2019 from LRGHealthcare), he’s already made a big impact.

“With a background in law enforcement and hospital security, Bill is the right person for the job,” said Jane Mannon, vice president of human resources at Penn State Health. “He’s charged with making our entire campus as safe as possible.”

Losefsky has hired six new security officers and implemented a career ladder program, giving his officers clear advancement pathways that include certification. He also started a mentoring program. “These programs immediately enhance the longevity and retainability of our security officers,” Losefsky said.

To protect staff, patients and visitors from workplace violence, Losefsky is investing heavily in training. He and three of his staff members recently became certified active shooter instructor trainers through a national program by the ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter and Evacuate) Training Institute. Losefsky also purchased a Taser training simulator to help train his staff’s armed officers consistent with the way law enforcement professionals receive firearms instruction.

Losefsky is working to implement recommendations made by IXP after its 2019 review of Hershey campus security protocols and reports his team’s progress at Hershey Medical Center’s senior leadership meetings. IXP also performed a comprehensive security assessment of both Penn State Health St. Joseph campuses and key outpatient locations recently and presented its high-level findings to the St. Joseph leadership team on Jan. 29.

As Penn State Health continues to grow, Losefsky will also have additional responsibility for security across the health system. He seeks to standardize security practices at Penn State Heath outpatient facilities and the new Penn State Health Hampden Medical Center and Penn State Health Lancaster Medical Center.

At the expanding Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, he’s working with Michelle Del Pizzo, a vice president of operations at Hershey Medical Center, and April Adley, vice president of nursing, to develop a master security plan that will include the Hugs infant protection system. Hugs uses radio frequency identification tags to prevent infant abductions.

“At my previous health care system, we pinpointed a baby’s location within six to 10 feet and intercepted the abductor rather quickly,” Losefsky said.

Losefsky reminds employees that the first step to preventing workplace violence is to report it:

Hershey Medical Center/College of Medicine Campus

Emergencies

Hershey Medical Center and College of Medicine: Dial 8888
East Health Campus: 8888
Outpatient facilities: 911

Non-emergencies:

Hershey Campus Security Department: 717-531-8711

Penn State Health St. Joseph

Emergencies:

Bern Campus: Dial x7777, except for areas that have panic alarms
Downtown Campus: 8888, except for areas that have panic alarms
Outpatient facilities: 911

Non-emergencies:

Bern Campus Security Department: 610-378-2500
Downtown Campus Security Department: 610-378-2600

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