Mutual Respect

The Workplace Violence Prevention team plays a key role in UHN's efforts to understand, monitor, and reduce workplace violence. Through operational oversight and quality improvement initiatives, the team works collaboratively across the organization, including with frontline staff and organizational leadership, to support a comprehensive systems-level response. Guided by evidence-based practices and a shared commitment to safety and mutual respect, the team's work helps lay the foundation for a safer, more supportive environment for everyone at UHN.

Meet the Workplace Violence Prevention Team

• Dr. Christian Schulz-Quach
  Medical Director of Workplace Violence Prevention
• Brendan Lyver
  Administrative Quality Lead of Workplace Violence Prevention
• Robert Whiteside
  Director of Security Operations
• Jennifer Haines
  Project Manager of Security Operations
• Joseph Nimako
  Research Analyst of Workplace Violence Prevention
• Sarah Taylor
  Administrative Partner

UHN Security Operations plays a vital role in ensuring a safe and secure environment for patients, visitor, learners, and TeamUHN staff across all UHN sites. Beyond responding to emergency codes and managing access, the health care security team is committed to safeguarding staff, patients and visitors while protecting the reputation of the organization and mitigating liability. Also, this includes comprehensive and ongoing training programs for security personnel, emphasizing de-escalation techniques, crisis intervention, and trauma-informed approaches. Leveraging their frontline presence and unique insights, Security Services collaborates with other teams to identify risks and contribute to the development of effective policies and procedures.

UHN Security's commitment extends to fostering a culture of safety through visible patrols, a dedicated Walk-Safe program to escort individuals to and from UHN sites, and active participation in debriefing processes to learn from incidents and continuously improve protocols. The UHN Security team is an integral part of the organization's commitment to providing a safe and healing environment for everyone.

Meet the UHN Security Operations Team

• Robert Whiteside
  Director of Security Operations
• Dr. Christian Schulz-Quach
  Medical Co-Lead of Security Operations
• Jennifer Haines
  Project Manager of Security Operations
• Martin Phung
  Manager of Security Operations
• Stephen Duncan
  Manager of Security Operations
• Dennis Virtue
  Manager of Security Systems
• Kathleen McColl
  Supervisor of Security Operations
• Sarah Taylor
  Administrative Partner

For further information on the Life Cycle of a Code White, please see the following article: The Life Cycle of a Code White: A Framework for Managing Workplace Violence

The Code White Governance Committee (CWGC) was established at UHN to strengthen organizational processes and improve Code White responses, particularly in light of challenges that intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic. Comprised of clinical and administrative experts in workplace violence (WPV) from across UHN sites, the CWGC was initiated by leadership following a sentinel event and now provides consistent oversight of Code White activities and performance.

The committee plays a key role in addressing incidents of physical and verbal violence, including harassment, with the aim of supporting TeamUHN and enhancing the care experience for patients and families. The CWGC formally connects to the Workplace Violence Prevention Advisory Committee (WPVPAC) and works in close partnership with Safety Services and Security Operations. This collaboration has led to the creation of the Workplace Violence Education Collaboration (WPVEC) and active involvement in Security's quality improvement efforts.

One of the committee's key contributions has been the development of the Life Cycle of a Code White — a systems-based framework to identify gaps and guide improvements in Code White management. As a result, several impactful changes have been implemented, including enhanced staff training, the introduction of hot and cold debriefs, improved data tracking, and more efficient reporting and decision-making processes.

Want to Know More?

• Code White Governance Committee Annual Report 2023

Meet the Code White Governance Committee

• Charlene Reynolds
  Co-lead of the Code White Governance Committee
• Dr. Christian Schulz-Quach
  Medical Co-lead of the Code White Governance Committee
• Vera Raposo
  Administrative Partner

UHN's Trauma-Informed De-Escalation Education for Safety and Self-Protection (TIDES) program provides staff with practical, health care-specific training in violence prevention, verbal de-escalation, workplace violence response, physical intervention, and self-protection. The program was originally developed by the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) as a tailored initiative for health care settings to help keep people safe, ensure patients receive trauma-informed care and staff are prepared for challenging situations.

Recognizing the need for specialized training within our own health care environment, UHN has collaborated with CAMH to tailor their TIDES program to meet the needs of TeamUHN staff and our diverse patient populations. To support ongoing learning and practical application, the program will also include point-of-care education materials and team-based Code White simulations delivered at the unit level. A dedicated group of clinicians and security personnel became trainers through our train-the-trainer course in late 2023 and began training TeamUHN staff in December 2023. As of March 2025, more than 2,500 TeamUHN members have completed at least one day of TIDES training, with satisfaction ratings consistently above 90%.

Want to know more about CAMH's TIDES program? Visit the CAMH's TIDES program's website.

Meet the UHN TIDES Team

• John Shannon
  Director of Safety Services
• Dr. Christian Schulz-Quach
  Medical Director of UHN TIDES
• Alize Chandler
  Workplace Violence Prevention Education Specialist
• Torrie Vaughan
  Workplace Violence Prevention Education Specialist
• Golnaz Tavakoli
  UHN TIDES Coordinator
• Brendan Lyver
  Administrative Quality Lead of Workplace Violence Prevention
• Joseph Nimako
  Research Analyst of Workplace Violence Prevention

UHN Safety Services plays a vital role in fostering a safe and healthy work environment for all members of the UHN community. Rooted in a strong commitment to the Occupational Health and Safety Act and related legislation, the team develops, implements, and monitors comprehensive programs that proactively identify, assess, and manage workplace hazards—including the critical issue of workplace violence. Through close collaboration across departments, Safety Services provides the tools, training, and support needed to ensure every team member has the resources to work safely and confidently.

Meet the Safety Services Team

• John Shannon
  Director of Safety Services
• Golnaz Tavakoli
  Coordinator
• Alexis Santo Domingo
  Administrative Partner