LTU hosts initial meeting of Healthcare Violence Reduction Center board

SOUTHFIELD—Lawrence Technological University’s Healthcare Violence Reduction Center (HVRC) held its inaugural board meeting on Monday, Oct 28.

This initial meeting brought together industry leaders and healthcare experts to tackle workplace violence with actionable, research-backed solutions. Through close collaboration, the HVRC will provide healthcare partners with real-world interventions aiming to turn innovative strategies into best practices that ensure safer environments for caregivers and patients.

“Our collective goal is to address healthcare-related violence by leveraging shared expertise and insights directly from those facing such challenges,” said HVRC Director Stacey Frankovich.

Board members contribute to the HVRC’s strategic direction, ensuring that its research remains highly practical and impactful. Partners include leaders from the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Keystone Center, University of Michigan Health-West, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, and additional members from McKenzie Health, Eaton Rapids Medical Center, Munson Healthcare, Trinity Health Michigan, and Henry Ford Health System. All these organizations will serve as active partners and sites for research implementation, press events, and policy advocacy.

The initial board meeting began with greetings from Frankovich; Richard Heist, LTU provost and chief academic officer; and Nabil Grace, LTU senior vice president for research and economic development. Members reviewed the HVRC website and initial marketing plans, and discussed initial research objectives with Eric Meyer, LTU associate professor of biomedical engineering and director of LTU’s Experimental Biomechanics Laboratory, who will lead the HVRC’s research efforts.

HVRC board members  are:

• John Bolde, system director safety, security and emergency management at Traverse City-based Munson Healthcare
• Shawn Bolen, clinical coordinator at Wyoming-based University of Michigan Health-West
• Amy Brown, chief nursing officer at the Michigan Health and Hospital Association Keystone Center
• Margy Dayton, executive director of quality, safety, risk, accreditation, and experience at Livonia-based Trinity Health Michigan
• Jerry Dumond, director of public safety, emergency management, and chief of police authority and K9 at Lansing-based University of Michigan Health-Sparrow
• Ben Huckins, system director of employee health and safety at Henry Ford Health System
• Jenifer Monzo, director of quality and risk management at Sandusky-based McKenzie Health System
• Heather Schragg, director of quality, risk management, and medical staff services at Eaton Rapids Medical Center

Lawrence Technological University is one of only 13 independent, technological, comprehensive doctoral universities in the United States. Located in Southfield, Mich., LTU was founded in 1932, and offers more than 100 programs through its Colleges of Architecture and Design, Arts and Sciences, Business and Information Technology, Engineering, and Health Sciences, as well as Specs@LTU as part of its growing Center for Professional Development. PayScale lists Lawrence Tech among the nation’s top 11% of universities for alumni salaries. Forbes and The Wall Street Journal rank LTU among the nation’s top 10%. U.S. News and World Report lists it in the top tier of best Midwest colleges. LTU is also listed in the Princeton Review’s “America’s Best 390 Colleges 2025,” which includes the nation’s top 15% of colleges and universities. Students benefit from small class sizes and a real-world, hands-on, “theory and practice” education with an emphasis on leadership. Activities on Lawrence Tech’s 107-acre campus include more than 60 student organizations and NAIA varsity sports.