About Us PREPARE, PROTECT, PROVIDE CARE

The Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment, Readiness & Education Program (SPECTRE) was established in 2021 to support clinical excellence in biocontainment care and serve as a resource for special pathogens preparedness, response, and clinical research at UTMB. As part of its mission, SPECTRE advances the efforts of the National Emerging & Special Pathogens Treatment and Education Center (NETEC) and the National Special Pathogen System of Care (NSPS).

SPECTRE serves as one of 13 federally funded Regional Emerging and Special Pathogens Treatment Centers (RESPTCs), ensuring readiness to care for patients affected by high-consequence pathogens such as Ebola virus, Nipah virus, and Monkeypox virus.

5 state region: Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Arkansas & Louisiana

Mission, Vision, Values

Mission

We treat the sick and protect the well from emerging special pathogens in our region by serving as a center for clinical excellence in biocontainment care and a resource for preparedness, response, and research support.


Vision

We envision ourselves as a central resource hub for HHS region VI and a leader in providing nimble, rapid, and effective care for persons affected by emerging and special pathogens while protecting the health and safety of our workforce and the community.

Core Values

  • Adaptability – We are prepared to respond to any special pathogen threat and use cutting edge data to inform decision making
  • Ingenuity – We utilize novel techniques to fulfill training, education, and preparedness goals
  • Integrity – We provide only high-quality information to educate and inform
  • Compassion – We care for the communities we serve and focus on reaching underserved populations at high risk of pathogen transmission
  • Teamwork – We have built a multidisciplinary team to develop well-rounded solutions
  • Excellence – We strive to provide the best care, training, and research support for special pathogens

SPECTRE Activities

SPECTER Activities fall into 4 overarching categories:

SPECTRE History

  • 2024

    Hosted the inaugural Symposium: Tropical & Emerging Infectious Diseases for Clinicians and Translational Scientists, focusing on advances in tropical and emerging infectious disease research and treatment.

    Launched Frontline Training program to enhance readiness and response capabilities at external healthcare facilities to assist facilities in meeting new Joint Commission standards related to high-consequence infectious diseases.

    Hosted the inaugural Regional Coordination Summit to advance collaboration, share successes, and develop strategies for advancing healthcare system readiness for HCID events within HHS Region 6.

    A professor speaking in front of a large group of people

  • 2023

    Delivered education sessions to facilities across HHS Region 6, strengthening preparedness and collaboration. 

    Established regular regional meetings to enhance collaboration, share best practices, and assess HCID preparedness across HHS Region 6 

    Introduced a comprehensive digital Resource Library, consolidating training materials for internal and external stakeholders.

  • 2022

    NETEC conducted its annual readiness consultation for UTMB’s Biocontainment Care Unit, ensuring readiness and operational excellence.

     

  • 2021

    UTMB’s Department of Biosafety provided infection control and waste handling guidance for an mpox case in Dallas, TX, at the request of the CDC. 

    UTMB Department of Biosafety advises on infection control and prevention practices and waste handling for monkeypox case in Dallas, TX at the request of CDC

  • 2020

    SPECTRE Program created to support BCU and expand activities in education, research, and networking in order to respond to increasing responsibilities according to ASPR requirements 

    UTMB’s Department of Biosafety validated and implemented an N95 filtering facepiece respirator reprocessing program, reprocessing over 15,000 respirators. 

    Biocontainment Care Unit staff created instructional videos on PPE donning and doffing for UTMB campuses and EMS personnel. 

    Conducted Just-in-Time Training for clinical staff across UTMB campuses on the use of Powered Air-Purifying Respirators (PAPRs) for aerosolizing procedures. 

    Established the Biorepository for Severe Emerging Infections (BSEI), collecting clinical biospecimens and detailed clinical data from research participants infected with or protected against pathogens of concern. 

    Participated in the Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial (ACTT), contributing to publications that supported Emergency Use Authorizations (EUAs) for remdesivir and baricitinib for the treatment of COVID-19. 

    SPECTRE faculty led seminars and developed UTMB COVID-19 patient treatment guidelines. 

    Photo of Drs. McLellan and Levine

  • 2019

    Celebrated the ribbon-cutting ceremony of UTMB’s six-bed state-of-the-art Biocontainment Care Unit (BCU).

     

  • 2016

    Began building UTMB’s state-of-the-art Biocontainment Care Unit to enhance regional preparedness.

     

  • 2015

    UTMB was designated as the HHS Region 6 Regional Emerging Special Pathogens Treatment Center by the CDC and ASPR.

    Formed the Biocontainment Care Unit team and launched the training program for staff.

  • 2014

    Developed plans to prepare for potential Ebola virus patients, training Emergency Department staff in identification, isolation, and care procedures.

    Rehabilitated negative pressure rooms, initially designated for potential SARS patients, to care for Ebola virus disease patients.

    ED staff trained on identification, isolation, and care procedures for a patient infected with Ebola virus patient infected with Ebola virus

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