Photos: UMMC honors police, security, emergency responders with ‘Blessing of the Badges’
Published on Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Every day, UMMC’s police, security officers and emergency response staffers put their lives on the line to keep patients, visitors, employees and students safe. On Sept. 1, the Medical Center sponsored a Blessing of the Badges ceremony to honor all of the first responders for their dedication when they wear the badge. It exemplifies the department’s core values of integrity, professionalism, respect, accountability, transparency and empathy.

UMMC Security Officer Teresa Williams places her badge atop a table in the University Hospital chapel so that it can be blessed.

UMMC Chaplain Mark Gilbert, center, blesses the badge of Officer Cameron Smith, who represented the rest of the UMMC Police and Public Safety Department.

Mary Paradis, chief of the UMMC Police and Public Safety Department, thanks officers and emergency responders for running into harm's way, not away from it.

The badges belonging to the Medical Center's police and security officers were blessed Sept. 1 during a ceremony in the University Hospital chapel.

Chief Mary Paradis, second from left, listens as chaplain Mark Gilbert speaks during the Blessing of the Badges.

Sgt. Antione Golden, Sgt. Shaun Hiley and Officer Garry Lee listen to speakers at the Blessing of the Badges.

The Medical Center's law officers are charged with keeping patients and their families, employees and students safe.

UMMC Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Jonathan Wilson expresses his appreciation for those who keep the campus out of harm's way.

UMMC Police and Public Safety Department Chief Mary Paradis, left, and Deputy Chief Josh Bromen accept thanks from Dr. LouAnn Woodward, vice chancellor for health affairs and dean of the School of Medicine, and Chief Administrative Officer Dr. Jonathan Wilson.

From left, Dr. LouAnn Woodward, Police and Public Safety Chief Mary Paradis and Joshua Bromen, and Dr. Jonathan Wilson.