Franciscan Health Olympia Fields Partners with Athena Security

New AI security platform aims to further increase patient and staff safety

AUSTIN, Texas, May 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Athena Security, a leading AI Entryway Security platform and checkpoint security technology innovator, today announced Franciscan Health Olympia Fields hospital in Chicago's South Suburbs is enhancing the protection of staff and patients from outside threats with Athena Security's weapons detection platform.

Health care professionals experience the highest rates of workplace violence of any private industry sector, law enforcement included, with nurses being assaulted at a rate of two per hour nationwide and 80% experiencing workplace violence. 

"As a healthcare staff, we know all too well the violence that happens in our place of work," said Agnes Therady, PhD, senior vice president and chief nursing officer for Franciscan Alliance. "We can all give a collective sigh of relief that Athena Security is always on, always looking out to keep us protected while we care for our beloved community."

Raymond A. Martinez, director of public safety and security at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, said the system effectively detects various types and levels of threats on a regular basis that could not otherwise be detected by security officers alone.

"It was clear that Athena Security's no-frills approach could immediately fortify our campus," said Raymond A. Martinez, director of public safety and security at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields. "Our staff is excited to deploy more of Athena's solutions throughout the campus."

Headquartered in Mishawaka, Ind., Franciscan Alliance is one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest with 12 hospital campuses in Indiana and Illinois, including Franciscan Health Olympia Fields, more than 19,000 employees and a number of nationally recognized Centers of Health Care Excellence.

"Athena Security is very pleased to ensure the safety of patients and staff at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields with the addition of our AI weapons detection platform to support security operations and processes," said Michael Green, Athena Security CEO. "Alerting security staff to firearms, knives, and tasers, as well as non-cooperative visitors, the Athena Security system can allow cell phones and car keys to pass, decreasing the number of people detained for further inspection."

Martinez said Franciscan Alliance is considering the adoption of the system at other locations after the successful deployment at the Olympia Fields campus. Once comprehensive risk assessments are conducted and other key statistical data is reviewed, deployment strategies will be examined to determine which locations could benefit from the Athena deployment.

"Deploying a weapons detection platform that works out of the box with software and analytics and is low profile from a perception standpoint are all critical components to achieve the balance that we were looking for as an organization," Martinez said.

About Athena Security Weapons Detection System, Inc.: Headquartered in Austin, Texas, and co-founded by Lisa Falzone, Chris Ciabarra, and Michael Green, Athena Security Weapons Detection System, Inc. is a leading provider of advanced, AI-enabled security solutions designed to improve security process and protect hospitals, hospitality, schools, businesses and public spaces. Athena Security systems are powered by CEIA OPENGATE ™and other metal detectors in combination with Athena Security's proprietary AI evasion detection software and advanced visitor management platform. As the first to market with AI evasion detection, audit trails, integrated X-ray with A.I., and now AR Vision and Telepresence Welcome Officers, Athena Security continues to build the future of entryway security, and lead the industry in developing advanced security technology. To learn more visit www.Athena-Security.com or visit the App Store to Download the Athena Security Weapons Detection System App.

About Franciscan Alliance: The Franciscan Alliance healthcare ministry began in Lafayette, Ind. in 1875. Today, Franciscan Alliance is one of the largest Catholic health care systems in the Midwest with 12 hospital campuses, more than 19,000 employees and a number of nationally recognized Centers of Health Care Excellence. Hospitals include Franciscan Health Carmel; Franciscan Health Crawfordsville; Franciscan Health Crown Point; Franciscan Health Dyer; Franciscan Health Indianapolis; Franciscan Health Lafayette; Franciscan Health Michigan City; Franciscan Health Mooresville; Franciscan Health Munster; Franciscan Health Olympia Fields (Ill.), Franciscan Health Orthopedic Hospital (Carmel) and Franciscan Health Rensselaer.

Contacts:

Lauri Keagle
Manager of Media Relations & Corporate Communications
Franciscan Health – Northern Indiana & South Suburban Chicago Divisions
(219) 677-4004
394755@email4pr.com

Jamie Diamond
PR for Athena Security
(541) 441-4444
394755@email4pr.com

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SOURCE Athena Security