Media Advisory

September 11, 2003

ST. LUKE’S EPISCOPAL HEALTH CHARITIES, CITY OF HOUSTON TO HOST BIOTERRORISM AND DOMESTIC NUCLEAR TERRORISM WORKSHOP

(Houston, TX) – St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities and the City of Houston will sponsor “Perspectives in Public Health Preparedness,” a Greater Houston Mobile Health Forum workshop, on Friday, September 12 from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. This inaugural training workshop, hosted by Diane Pavey from St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities, will provide mobile health participants with general concepts and practices of public health emergency preparedness, recognition of possible chemical, biological, nuclear and natural emergencies, and integration of these concepts into agency planning.

As one of the most vulnerable cities in the country based on our large urban population and industries — our city is home to the largest medical center, NASA Mission Control, the second busiest seaport, national monuments and the upcoming Super Bowl — Houston’s emergency planning is critical. This is a national preparedness mobile health model, which will be featured at an upcoming international conference in October, 2003. Topics and notable speakers this Friday include:

9:15 a.m.

General Concepts of Bioterrorism and Public Health, presented by Sharon Nalls, City of Houston Emergency Management Coordinator, and Sharon Marsh, Assistant Director, Houston Department of Health and Human Services (HDHHS)

10:30 a.m.

Biological and Chemical Agents Used as Weapons of Mass Destruction and the Strategic National Stockpile, presented by Kate Pitts, Ph.D., MBA, MED, Chief Pharmacist, HDHHS

11:30 a.m.

Epidemiologic Surveillance: Recognition and Strategy During Biological Attacks, presented by Raouf Arafat, M.D., MPH, Chief Epidemiologist, HDHHS

Noon

Comprehending the Threat of Domestic Nuclear Terrorism, presented by Robert Emery, DrPH, Executive Director, Environmental Health & Safety, Associate Professor of Occupational Health, University of Texas–Houston School of Public Health

1 p.m.

Mental Health Issues and Considerations, presented by Richard Barrett, MSW, LMSW-ACP, Employee Assistant, HDHHS

1:30 p.m.

The Public Health Professional: What do we do?, presented by Veronica Jones, R.N., BSN, Nurse Coordinator, HDHHS Office of Public Health Preparedness

3 p.m.

Workplace, Home and Family Preparedness, presented by Mayra Lacen, Senior Trainer, HDHHS Office of Public Health Preparedness

WHO: St. Luke’s Episcopal Health Charities and the City of Houston

WHAT: “Perspectives in Public Health Preparedness,” a Greater Houston Mobile Health Forum Workshop

WHEN: Friday, September 12, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

WHERE: Brentwood Baptist Church, 13033 Landmark Drive, Houston, TX 77045

INTERVIEW/PHOTO OPPS: Keynote speakers will participate in interviews upon request.