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Bioterrorism, Emergency Preparedness Are Focus of 2010 University of Mary Health Care Institute

Presented by University of Mary

November 4, 2010

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Bioterrorism, Emergency Preparedness Are Focus of
2010 University of Mary Health Care Institute
ND State Health Officer Dr. Terry Dwelle to be honored with Harold Schafer Award for Excellence in Health Care

Bismarck, ND—Bioterrorism and emergency preparedness will come under the microscope Nov. 3–4, 2010, as the annual Harold Schafer Institute for Excellence in Health Care brings together national and state experts to explore the story behind the headlines and educate future health care leaders in this topical aspect of public health.

“This is an unprecedented opportunity for our students, health care professionals and the community to gain a greater understanding of this topic—from the scope and nature of the threats it represents to the role of public health providers in emergency preparedness and response,” says Cheryl Kalberer, director of the Emerging Leaders Academy. “We are thrilled to have highly respected experts in the field from various levels sharing their knowledge and providing their diverse perspectives.”

This year’s institute will kick off Wednesday, Nov. 3, at 6 PM, with the Excellence in Health Care Award Banquet (invitation only), at which ND State Health Officer Dr. Terry Dwelle will be recognized with the 2010 Harold Schafer Award for Excellence in Health Care. Dwelle will be honored for his leadership with respect to a wide variety of public health issues, including emergency response and disease outbreaks. (See accompanying bio.)

Thursday, Nov. 4, Dr. Murray L. Cohen, an internationally recognized expert in bioterrorism and workplace safety, will deliver the institute’s keynote address, “It’s a Microbial World and the Bugs Are Winning!” at 11 am, in Arno Gustin Hall. The presentation, providing helpful pointers for understanding today’s headlines,” is free and open to the public. (See accompanying bio.)

Beginning at 1 PM, there will be a public health and emergency preparedness panel discussion featuring ND Department of Health officials Brenda Vossler, director, Division of Hospital Preparedness and Response, Emergency Preparedness and Response Section, and Juli Sickler, director, Division of Public Health Preparedness and Response, Emergency Preparedness and Response Section.

The Schafer Institute for Excellence in Health Care is sponsored by the University of Mary Emerging Leaders in Health Care and the School of Health Sciences.

Media may contact Tom Ackerman, director of communications, at (701) 355-8002 or tackman@umary.edu or Barbara Montgomery at (701) 355-8013 or barbaram@umary.edu for information or to arrange interviews.

Dr. Terry Dwelle was appointed to the office of North Dakota state health officer by Governor John Hoeven in October 2001. Previously, Dwelle served as chief medical officer for the department. In his role as state health officer, Dwelle advises the governor and the State Health Council and provides leadership to the Department of Health on issues ranging from emergency response to disease outbreaks. He leads his staff in collaborating on health and environmental issues with local public health units, private health care providers and other partners. He also focuses on building partnerships with organizations, businesses and schools across the state to address high-risk behaviors and provide a framework to support healthy choices.

Under Dwelle’s leadership, the development of information technology systems has been a focus for the Department of Health. In 2006, the department received the Outstanding Achievement in Digital Government Award from the Information Technology Council of North Dakota. The department was recognized for its foresight, innovation and implementation of information technology in service to the public. In addition, Dwelle was instrumental in developing an electronic disease management system for use at the Spirit Lake Asthma Disease Management Clinic, where he sees pediatric patients one day a week.

Dwelle earned his medical degree from St. Louis University School of Medicine, graduating cum laude. He later received a master’s degree in public health and tropical medicine from Tulane University.

Dr. Murray L. Cohen is president and chairman of the Frontline Healthcare Workers Safety Foundation, Ltd, a global non-governmental organization. Cohen is an internationally recognized expert in occupationally transmitted infectious diseases, risk assessment and biosecurity. He currently serves as the executive director of the National Biosafety &
Biocontainment Training Program, is a voting member of the National Science Advisory Board for Biosecurity, and serves on the Federal Interagency Expert Panel for Anthrax Spore Efficacy Test Methods and Surrogates. He consults for the NIH as well as several other U.S. and foreign government agencies.

Since the identification of anthrax as the active biological agent of recent attacks, Cohen has worked on the frontline with the responding government agencies. He is on the scientific team conducting ongoing research on anthrax at government laboratories. He has helped develop sampling techniques, containment strategies, safe mail handling procedures, and decontamination techniques. He also serves on several anthrax task forces, and has provided briefings on Capitol Hill.

Cohen has also been a leader in helping American business understand the science behind the attacks. Working with top security, risk management and technical firms, he developed strategies for businesses wishing to protect their employees, customers and shareholders from today’s risks. Whether a company is looking for safe mail handling procedures or an overhaul of safety and security plans, Dr. Cohen is helping provide the scientifically based business solutions. Cohen retired as a captain from the U.S. Public Health Service following a 21-year career with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His presentation is sponsored in part by the Edson and Margaret Larson Foundation.