New York Medical College Center for Disaster Medicine Hosts Symposium on the Current State and Future Direction of Disaster Medicine and Preparedness
Day-long course included topics from health threats, pediatric disaster healthcare, and other emergency preparedness topics
Jennifer Riekert, M.B.A.
Vice President of Communications and Strategic Initiatives
New York Medical College
(914) 594-4552
jennifer_riekert@nymc.edu
Valhalla, New York – New York Medical College’s (NYMC) Center for Disaster Medicine hosted a symposium on the current state and future direction of disaster medicine and preparedness. The five-hour conference brought experts together to educate the community on how to prepare for various mass casualty events.
The symposium featured speakers from varying backgrounds highlighting different aspects of catastrophic situations including responding to health threats and lessons learned from the Las Vegas mass casualty incident.
“This event was another great opportunity for the Center to host experts and further educate the surrounding community on emergency situations,” said David S. Markenson, M.D., M.B.A., medical director of the Center for Disaster Medicine. “The aim of the Center is to be proactive with sharing knowledge in hopes that through research, trainings, and educational activities, we will have a more prepared Hudson Valley.”
Speakers included, Edward J. Gabriel, M.P.A., EMT-P, CEM, CBCP, who serves as principal deputy assistant secretary for the Incident Command and Control Office of assistant secretary for preparedness and responses for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He presented on the preparing for and responding to 21st century health threats.
In addition, Arthur Cooper, M.D., M.S., professor emeritus and special lecturer in surgery at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons shared insight on pediatric disaster healthcare.
Finally, Michael P. Allswede, D.O., clinical associate professor at Touro University Nevada College of Osteopathic Medicine and University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine shared an analytical approach to the Las Vegas mass casualty incident in October 2017.
The Center for Disaster Medicine is on the cutting edge of disaster medicine. For the past 13 years they have conducted interdisciplinary research, training, technical assistance, and educational activities related to emergency preparedness for disasters, terrorism and public health emergencies. By training the responders, and by focusing on vulnerable populations, including children, the disabled, and the elderly, the Center fulfills a unique role in the Hudson Valley region by serving as a multi-disciplinary academic resource on a diverse range of emergency preparedness issues.
About New York Medical College
Founded in 1860, New York Medical College is one of the oldest and largest health sciences colleges in the country with nearly 1,500 students and 330 residents and clinical fellows, more than 2,600 faculty members and 23,200 living alumni. The College, which joined the Touro College and University System in 2011, is located in Westchester County, New York, and offers degrees from the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Basic Medical Sciences, the School of Health Sciences and Practice, a School of Dental Medicine and a School of Nursing. NYMC provides a wide variety of clinical training opportunities for students, residents, and practitioners.