Evangelical Community Hospital’s Employee and Public Safety Deemed Program of Distinction

The Employee and Public Safety Department of Evangelical Community Hospital received a special honor on Thursday, June 27, 2024. The International Association for Healthcare Security & Safety (IAHSS) officials presented the team with a Program of Distinction Certification. The honor was presented during the IAHSS Pennsylvania/Susquehanna Chapter quarterly meeting which was hosted at Evangelical.

There are only four Hospitals in the state of Pennsylvania and 66 in the world that have earned this designation.

“We are exceptionally proud of the work accomplished by our Employee and Public Safety team to receive this honor,” said Matthew Exley, CHPA, Director, Employee and Public Safety at Evangelical Community Hospital. “The entire department is committed to making the Hospital a safe space in which to work and receive care.”

Initiated in June 2006, the IAHSS Program of Distinction recognizes healthcare security and safety departments within healthcare facilities that have achieved and certified over 70 percent of their security personnel through the IAHSS training certification programs.

To maintain this recognition, it must be renewed every two years and certified personnel must maintain their certifications. Directors must maintain an active Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA) status by continually seeking to enhance their competence both through continuing education and research leading to publication of significant materials to enhance the learning of others.