FIRESIDE CHAT | Violence as a Public Health Crisis: What Healthcare Leaders Must Do Now

Gun violence, immigration raids, rising incivility, and escalating violence within healthcare settings are issues no community—or health system—is immune to. As more individuals present in acute crisis or severe emotional dysregulation, hospitals and clinics are increasingly becoming sites of harm not only for patients, but for the care teams who serve them.

Join Michael Dowling, CEO Emeritus of Northwell Health, and Lisa Shannon, CEO of Allina Health, for a candid conversation about the realities of violence and social unrest as critical public health crises that demand decisive, values‑driven leadership. Moderated by John Glaser, Chair of the Scottsdale Institute’s Board, this timely discussion is essential for healthcare executives navigating an environment where the safety of caregivers is under growing threat.

As the social fabric continues to fray, healthcare leaders face a dual—and often competing—responsibility: delivering compassionate care to people in profound distress while ensuring a safe environment for staff who are increasingly exposed to verbal abuse, physical assaults, and moral injury. This fireside chat will explore how violence inside and outside healthcare facilities intersects with broader societal instability, and what leaders must do now to respond.

This discussion will delve into critical questions, including:

• How do health systems effectively prevent, prepare for, and respond to violence across the continuum—from gun trauma and immigration enforcement disruptions to patient‑initiated harm within care settings?
• What is the role of leadership when patients, staff, and communities are experiencing heightened crisis, fear, and loss of regulation?
• How can we meaningfully protect care team members from harm while upholding our mission, values, and commitment to equitable, compassionate care in an era of rising incivility and violence?

Center for Gun Violence Prevention