Keith Hill, head of Johns Hopkins corporate security since 2013, to retire in January

Keith Hill, the first vice president for corporate security to oversee operations for both Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine, has announced his plans to retire in January.

Image caption: Keith Hill

Hill began in his position, which also oversees parking and transportation for the East Baltimore campus, in early 2013. He brought more than 25 years of experience from a career with the United States Secret Service to his efforts to develop an integrated, enterprise-wide corporate security structure.

"My focus has been to build upon the successes of my predecessors in corporate security, who did a lot to help create and develop a strong security foundation for this great institution across a constantly changing environment," Hill says. "The areas of greatest impact have been through integration of technology, training, education, and policy,"

Under Hill's leadership, the security teams across numerous university and health system locations have become more unified and better able to operate as one entity. Through targeted planning, they are better able to share information and resources, leverage common technology platforms, and share training opportunities for all officers from one location to another.

"There is such an incredible diversity of talent within corporate security, from the managers to the front line officers, and now we can draw on those skill sets more effectively," Hill says.

Among many programs, Hill oversaw the creation of the institutions' first K-9 unit and the implementation of the LiveSafe app for students, faculty, and staff to quickly request assistance or report a concern. He also implemented his department's first formal strategic plan, which among other things emphasized employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and technology to help ensure the right tools are available for addressing current and future security needs.

"Despite expanding demands on resources, Keith's strategic focus on safety, leadership development, technology enhancements, and rigorous officer training strengthened the security force across the institutions," said Johns Hopkins Health System President Ronald R. Peterson, Johns Hopkins Medicine Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Robert Kasdin, and Johns Hopkins University Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Daniel G. Ennis in an email.

Those three leaders noted that Hill also cultivated key relationships with colleagues, community stakeholders, the Baltimore Police Commissioner and his leadership team, and many other constituencies locally and in the region.

"Please join us in thanking Keith for all he has done and will do this year to further the safety and security of our patients, students, faculty, staff, and community members," they wrote.

The university and health system will launch a search for Hill's successor soon.