[separator top=”20″ style=”double”]
Bioterrorism and Public Health Emergency Preparedness Speakers
[separator top=”20″ style=”double”]
Scott Patlovich, DrPH, CBSP, CHMM, CPH
Scott Patlovich is the Assistant Vice President of Environmental, Health & Safety at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) and an Instructor at The University of Texas School of Public Health (UT SPH). He holds a Doctorate of Public Health in Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences (concentration in epidemiology and disease control) from UT SPH and a Master of Public Health in Occupational and Environmental Health Sciences (concentration in industrial hygiene) from the same school. Scott is a Certified Industrial Hygienist, a Certified Safety Professional, a Certified Biological Safety Professional, a Specialist Microbiologist in Biological Safety Microbiology, a Certified Hazardous Materials Manager, and is Certified in Public Health. Previously, Scott served as a safety manager at the Texas Biomedical Research Institute, which has the only privately operated BSL-4 laboratory in the country. He also worked as a Senior Safety and Health Manager in the Office of Safety, Health, and Environment at the National University of Singapore. Scott has helped to provide consultation and resources for the improvement of regulated medical waste management and disposal in several developing countries around the world, inclusive of training for healthcare workers who are exposed to these wastes.
Carol Porter, D.N.P., RN, FAAN
Carol Porter, D.N.P., RN, FAAN, is chief nursing officer and senior vice president at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. With more than 25 years of senior nursing leadership experience, she brings a wealth of knowledge regarding clinical operations, emergency management, research, quality and interdisciplinary collaboration to her role as the leader of MD Anderson’s diverse nursing community. Currently, Dr. Porter is leading MD Anderson’s 3,900+ nurses as they work toward their fifth consecutive Magnet Recognition Program designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, with a site visit anticipated for summer 2020. She is a fellow of the American Academy and speaks nationally and internationally on the importance of developing and maintaining a culture of safety as the foundation of quality patient care. Dr. Porter earned a doctorate of nursing practice from Case Western Reserve University, a master’s degree in public administration-health administration from Rutgers University, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from William Paterson University.
Umair Shah, MD, MPH
Since 2013, Umair A. Shah, MD, MPH, has served as Executive Director and Local Health Authority for Harris County Public Health –the nation’s 3rd largest county with 4.7 million people. Dr. Shah earned his B.A. (philosophy) from Vanderbilt University; his M.D. from the University of Toledo Health Science Center; and completed an Internal Medicine Residency, Primary Care/General Medicine Fellowship, and M.P.H. (management), at the University of Texas Health Science Center. He also completed an international health policy internship at World Health Organization headquarters in Switzerland.Under his leadership, HCPH has won numerous national awards including recognition as Local Health Department of the Year from the National Association of County and City Health Officials in 2016.
Dario Gonzalez, MD
Dario Gonzalez, MD is presently the Associate Medical Director for New York City Fire Department /Office of Medical Affairs, Bronx Division Medical Director, Emergency Medicine trained and New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) Medical Director. He also participates in Disaster preparedness in the FDNY/Office of Medical Affairs. He is a member of the NYC DOHMH Pediatric Disaster Coalition and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) disaster response and Senior Fellow, Center for Disaster Medicine, New York Medical College. He has also traveled to Liberia West Africa to provide front line care for patients with Ebola infection and managed an Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU). Now participates in Ebola and Emerging Infectious Disease Workgroup response planning and drills in New York City.