Two officers also recognized with award for valor
The University of Texas Medical Branch Police Department has been named the 2025 Security Program of the Year by the Houston-area chapter of the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety.
In addition, UTMB Police officers Sgt. Mark Moreno and Public Safety Officer John Nelson received the 2025 IAHSS award for valor in recognition for their courageous actions in taking a patient into custody, uninjured, after the suspect allegedly assaulted and threatened staff.
“The UTMB Police Department is committed to keeping our campus community safe, and we are honored to have been recognized as this year’s outstanding hospital security program for the Greater Houston region,” UTMB Police Chief Ken Adcox said. “We could not be prouder of our team and all our institutional partners that play a critical role in campus safety.
“We are also proud of Sgt. Mark Moreno and Public Safety Officer John Nelson for their dedication and bravery, which was individually recognized by the IAHSS this year with an award for valor,” Adcox said. “We are very blessed to have so many committed professionals serving and protecting here at UTMB.”
IAHSS is an international organization dedicated to the advancement of security, safety and emergency management within the health care industry. The Houston-area chapter covers 125 hospitals.
The award was presented by IAHSS President Rachel Nolan to Adcox and other members of the UTMB Police Department on Nov. 12 at the IAHSS Texas Medical Center summit in Houston.