MEMBER SPOTLIGHT – POMONA VALLEY HOSPITAL MEDICAL CENTER SECURITY DEPARTMENT
Shela Borr, CALSAGA Ambassador Committee Co-Chair
The CALSAGA Ambassador Committee is honored to feature the Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center (PVHMC) Security Department in this quarter’s Membership Spotlight. With a steadfast mission to safeguard the lives and property of patients, visitors, and associates, PVHMC’s Security team exemplifies integrity, leadership, and collaboration in the specialized world of healthcare security.
The department operates with a holistic approach to hospital safety by grounding themselves in their core values such as integrity, safety, productivity, leadership, ethical patrolling, collaboration, and teamwork. Their vision goes beyond presence and patrols; it’s about cultivating a secure and supportive environment for everyone who walks through their doors.
The department is led by a highly experienced management team including Jon Coleman, Manager of Compliance and Training; Willia Morataya, Manager of Operations; and Michelle Walsh-Fernandez, Director of Security. Together, they bring more than 60 years of combined experience to the organization, ensuring both operational excellence and strategic leadership.
PVHMC joined CALSAGA in 2024, following a recommendation from their external security assessor. That same year, Jon Coleman became an active member of the CALSAGA Ambassador Committee, representing the voice of healthcare security. The team values CALSAGA’s practical resources, training support, and professional networking, which they view as essential tools to support security professionals across all sectors.
Looking to the future, PVHMC recognizes significant industry challenges, especially those unique to hospital environments. Ongoing federal funding cuts paired with rising incidents of workplace violence, and new mandates like CA2975 (which mandates weapon detection and searches at public entrances by 2027), will require hospital security departments to become increasingly resourceful. Through CALSAGA’s training initiatives, advocacy, and shared expertise, PVHMC is better equipped to tackle these obstacles head-on.
What sets PVHMC apart is their consistent pursuit of excellence and innovation. In 2024, a team from their night shift was awarded the IAHSS Officer(s) of the Year Award after heroically saving two lives during a severe vehicle crash and fire on hospital grounds. Their four full-time K9 teams, trained in apprehension and explosive detection, further reflect the department’s advanced capabilities. Additionally, their security operation is frequently cited by external assessors as a regional best practice and benchmark for hospital security.
As one of California’s first nonprofit hospital security PPOs, PVHMC is also focused on raising the professional standard of the field. Their efforts to develop security as a viable and rewarding career path reflect their leadership and commitment to the broader mission of public safety in healthcare.
In every respect, Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center Security Department embodies excellence in healthcare security, serving as a model of professionalism, innovation, and dedication to service.
