National Center for Emergency Medical Preparedness & Response

NCEMPR Medical Special Needs Preparedness Symposium

The National Center for Emergency Preparedness (NCEMPR), in partnership with the Texas Department of State Health Services, is hosting a two-day Medical Special Needs Preparedness Symposium. This symposium will be from 1–5 p.m., Feb. 10 and from 8 a.m. to noon, Feb. 11 in Austin, Texas. The symposium will be at the Radisson Hotel Austin North, 6000 Middle Fiskville Road, Austin, Texas. The hotel contact number is (512) 451-5757.

Symposium Topics

The purpose of this symposium is to review activities and challenges in the wake of Hurricane Ike and propose new models and solutions related to the management of Medical Special Needs populations. Key issues to be discussed include notification, registries, evacuations, staffing and equipping MSN shelters, medical and public health challenges, communications, training, discharge planning, and future planning considerations. The outcome of this conference will be used to inform future health planning and training associated with managing the emergency needs of the vulnerable MSN population in Texas.

Participants

Public health, medical, EMS, hospital and emergency management officials who responded to the recent series of hurricanes in Texas will review issues related to ongoing preparedness for this vulnerable population. Speakers include Dr. Nancy Dickey, President of the Texas A&M Health Science Center and Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs, theTexas A&M University System; Jack Colley, chief of the Governor’s Division of Emergency Management; Dr. Adolfo Valadez, assistant commissioner for prevention and preparedness, Texas Department of State Health Services; and Dr. Sarah Flick, medical director, MR Services Division of MHMRA of Harris County. Dr. Scott Lillibridge, NCEMPR executive director and assistant dean in the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health, will host and lead symposium deliberations.