Every year, the small town of Martinsburg comes alive with the spirit of Christmas as the annual Santa with a Badge tradition takes center stage. Active duty officers and retirees from various law enforcement agencies gather to make the holiday dreams of children come true. This year, they returned to the familiar walls of WalMart at Spring Mills, where they have been shopping for the past four years.

The Power of Community Partnerships

Ben Holben, the secretary of the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 83, couldn't be more grateful for the partnerships that make this event possible. Spring Mills Walmart has been a steadfast partner for three years now, providing a space for the children to shop and select their gifts. The Spring Mills' McDonald's also joined in, offering a delicious breakfast to each child, while Hagerstown's Krispy Kreme added a sweet touch by providing donuts. Project Linus, a long-time partner, returned for a third year, presenting a blanket to each child on the list. These partnerships truly bring the community together during the holiday season.

Law Enforcement's Heartwarming Role

Officers from both Berkeley and Jefferson County sheriff's departments, along with those from Ranson Police Department, Charles Town Police Department, Martinsburg City Police, the West Virginia State Police, and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Reserves and court bailiffs, all came out in full force. Jay Longerbeam, the current president of the FOP, was amazed by the great representation of departments. He shared, "We had a great representation of departments, and it was wonderful to see Berkeley County out this year as Sheriff Rob Blair joined us for his first time shopping. The number of Jefferson County Reserve officers who arrive each year to escort the children is truly amazing." Robbie Roberts, the Ranson Police Chief, who has participated in the program for approximately 36 years, also enjoyed escorting two families during the shopping hours. As the children tried to decide what they wanted and how far their $100 would go, it was a heartwarming sight to see the officers interacting with them.

Making Holiday Dreams Come True

Through established criteria and referrals from schools, churches, and other entities, 100 children were selected to take part in the Santa with a Badge project. These children ranged in age from infants to teens, including some siblings and single-child families. Each child was paired with an officer who helped them keep track of their spending. Of the 100 scheduled to participate, 97 arrived, ready to make their Christmas wishes come true. As the children shopped, they were filled with excitement and anticipation, knowing that they were about to receive gifts that would bring joy to their holiday season.

Funding the Holiday Magic

Longerbeam and Holben emphasized the importance of funding to continue this beloved program. They work hard to raise approximately $10,000 each year to select 100 children. Their main fundraising method is through telephone solicitation, but they are also open to direct donations. Donors can visit the FOP website at FOP83.org and click on the link to donate via Paypal. Checks can also be mailed to FOP Lodge 83 at P.O. Box 2694, Martinsburg, WV 25402. While they hope to one day have a Lodge home for trainings and other meetings, the Santa with a Badge program remains their top priority.

Cybersecurity in healthcare is of utmost importance as it directly impacts the safety of patients. Hospitals face significant challenges when it comes to data breaches, which can have severe consequences on life-saving treatments and vital care. In this article, we will explore the various aspects of cybersecurity in healthcare and the need for targeted legislation and government support.

Empowering Healthcare with Robust Cybersecurity

Why Cybersecurity is Essential in Healthcare

Electronic health records, medical imaging tools, and other digital systems in healthcare create a vast digital landscape. However, the cybersecurity measures to protect this infrastructure have not kept pace with its rapid growth. Healthcare data is a valuable target for attackers, as medical records contain sensitive protected health information. Cyberattacks can lead to diagnosis delays, stalled prescriptions, and financial crises for hospitals. The infamous Change Healthcare breach is a prime example of how a single point of failure can impact multiple facilities and patient care.

Healthcare's sprawling infrastructure makes it an attractive target for cybercriminals. The need for comprehensive protection is a persistent challenge, especially for smaller providers in rural or underserved regions with limited budgets and outdated infrastructure.

Healthcare Challenges Posed by Cyber Inequity

Larger healthcare systems in densely populated areas have more resources to invest in cybersecurity. However, most healthcare organizations, including the largest ones, are understaffed and lagging behind in digital transformation. Smaller hospitals often have to prioritize immediate patient care over cybersecurity due to budget constraints. Staffing IT talent is also a challenge, as many hospitals cannot afford specialized cybersecurity professionals.

A cyberattack on a rural hospital can have a magnified impact, leaving patients with no other options for immediate care. The shortage of cybersecurity resources in rural hospitals is not just a logistical issue but a matter of equity, which can lead to disparities in patient safety and care quality.

The Case for More Government Support

The healthcare industry cannot handle cybersecurity alone. Unfunded mandates can overwhelm small providers. A cybersecurity framework tailored to healthcare, such as the one by the Health Sector Coordinating Council, is needed. Government support in the form of incentives and access to cybersecurity insurance can help hospitals invest in their security infrastructure without financial strain.

Smart cyber policy is crucial, including implementing passwordless authentication to reduce credential theft and managing vendor access securely. Collaboration between healthcare leaders and vendors is also essential in developing innovative solutions.

Dr. Sean Kelly is the Chief Medical Officer and Sr. VP of Customer Strategy for Healthcare at Imprivata. He leads the Clinical Workflow team and advises on healthcare IT security. Trained at Harvard College, University of Massachusetts Medical School, and Vanderbilt University, he is board certified in Emergency Medicine and a Fellow in the American College of Emergency Physicians.This post appears through the MedCity Influencers program. Anyone can publish their perspective on business and innovation in healthcare on MedCity News through MedCity Influencers. Click here to find out how.