ANTHC security officer receives 2018 Front-Line Staff Outstanding Performance Award
October 4, 2018
Last week, Karl Andersen, ANTHC Lead Security Officer (above right, with Jim Freeman, ANTHC Chief of Security at left), was selected for the 2018 Front-Line Staff Outstanding Performance Award by the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association (ASHNHA). This award recognizes an individual or team at an Alaska hospital or nursing home that has demonstrated above and beyond safety-related performance in the workplace.
Andersen was presented with his award during the ASHNHA Awards Luncheon on Sept. 27, during their Annual Conference in Girdwood.
“I am proud to receive this award as a recognition of my hard work and teamwork,” said Andersen. “What has kept me working at ANTHC so long is not only do I enjoy my job and receive a lot of support to do my job, but I feel like I belong here — it’s like a second home.”
Andersen has worked at ANTHC for 18 years; he currently serves as a Lead Security Officer during the evening shift. Andersen also serves as a Crisis Prevention Intervention trainer in an effort to prepare his colleagues to reduce workplace violence incidents. One of Andersen’s most important roles is his leadership in training staff in American Heart Association Heartsaver and Basic Life Support (BLS) education. To date, Andersen has led 56 security officers in Heartsaver training; 27 security officers in BLS training; 25 Nurses in BLS training; and has certified one BLS instructor.
“The Alaska Native Medical Center is fortunate to have an employee as committed to patient safety and saving lives as Karl Andersen,” said LeeAnn Garrick, Vice President of ANMC Administrative Services.
In addition to his commitment to staff education on patient safety tools, Andersen has led many first responder teams that begin chest compressions on patients or visitors who need assistance. Anchorage Fire Department response to the Alaska Native Health Campus is approximately 12 minutes. In most cases, Andersen or his team are already responding within two minutes. Andersen’s role modeling established the importance of the ANMC Security team’s role on the Code Blue (adult medical emergency) team at ANMC.
Please join us in congratulating Karl Andersen on this award and thanking him for his constant vigilance and dedication to patient, staff and visitor safety on the Alaska Native Health Campus.