In the early hours of July 11, 2025, a disturbing incident unfolded at WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, where a patient allegedly assaulted two staff members. Dalton Holinka, a 32-year-old from Lititz, faces two counts of aggravated assault after shoving and punching hospital workers during his treatment in the emergency department, according to Ephrata Police. The altercation left both staff members injured, though the extent of their injuries remains undisclosed. Holinka, who required medical attention himself, was later transported to Lancaster County Prison and released on $25,000 bail, as reported by local authorities.
The incident, detailed in a press release from Ephrata Police, occurred in a bustling emergency room, a setting where healthcare workers already navigate high-stress situations. “It’s terrifying to think we’re not safe even in a place meant to help people,” said Maria Gonzalez, a nurse at a nearby Lancaster County hospital, who spoke to this reporter outside her workplace. Gonzalez, who was not involved in the incident, shared that many of her colleagues feel increasingly vulnerable amid rising reports of workplace violence. Her comment reflects a broader anxiety rippling through the local healthcare community, where staff are now questioning their safety protocols.…