Shinu Joy, DNP, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, OCN
Corri B. Levine, PhD, MPH
School of Nursing and Internal Medicine
Over the past two decades, high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs) like Ebola, Lassa Fever and mpox have become more common, putting frontline healthcare workers, especially nurses, at increased risk. The awarded funds will be used to enhance infectious disease preparedness by supporting clinical training for nursing students at UTMB and other Galveston County nursing schools. Through the UTMB School of Nursing and the (Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment, Readiness and Education Program) SPECTRE, students will gain hands-on experience in infection prevention and safe care practices for patients with highly transmissible diseases. This initiative aims to better equip future nurses to identify and manage high-consequence infectious diseases, reduce exposure risks, and strengthen community trust in local healthcare systems.