Russo, DeMora Speak Out in Support of OSU Nurses Seeking Greater Protections

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) and State Senator Bill DeMora (D-Columbus) today released the following joint statement regarding the violent assault on a nurse at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. 

“Nurses deserve to feel safe and supported in the workplace they devote so much to,” said Rep. Russo. “This is just one in a long line of incidents of workplace violence that health care workers experience nearly every day, and this violence is only rising. We need to make worker protections a top priority, especially in health care settings. We owe it to these essential workers to ensure that the workplaces they step into each day are safe, supportive, and worthy of the service they provide.”

The legislators sent a letter asking that OSU leadership preserve all relevant footage and incident reports, conduct a review of security protocols, establish enhanced security presence on affected units, restrict the individual's access to OSU facilities, and work with nursing staff and their union on workplace violence prevention measures.

“I love my university, but it is absolutely ridiculous that they are unable to protect their nurses,” said Sen. DeMora. “Our nurses are absolutely essential and need to be able to fully focus on providing the best possible care to their patients. I hope Ohio State implements both of the unions' common-sense demands.”

University Wexner Medical Center on November 6, 2025:

According to reports, OSU staff had asked an individual to leave the postpartum unit one day prior due to concerning behavior. The following day, the individual was allowed back onto the floor. When he began acting erratically towards a female patient, while also holding a newborn, an OSU Nurse intervened to protect the infant but was then assaulted. The nurse reported being strangled and dragged down a hallway during the incident.

Following the assault, the nurse approached police to file a victim report. The incident has raised questions about security protocols and the institution's response to workplace violence.

Read the full letter sent by Rep. Russo and Senator DeMora here.