We are SPECTRE—the Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment, Readiness, and Education Program—housed within the Division of Infectious Diseases at UTMB. Our mission is to strengthen local and regional readiness to respond to high-consequence infectious diseases, ensuring self-sufficiency and operational resilience.
SPECTRE supports the ongoing preparedness of UTMB’s Biocontainment Care Unit (BCU) by developing targeted training and education initiatives grounded in practical, frontline care. We focus on equipping healthcare professionals, across all of Region 6, with the skills, tools, and confidence needed to act swiftly and safely during special pathogen events.
We also foster collaboration with regional healthcare partners and public health entities, promoting a unified, state-driven response framework that ensures coordination without unnecessary duplication of federal efforts. In addition, we contribute to the infrastructure needed for clinically grounded research, ensuring that emerging knowledge translates directly into improved patient care and safety protocols.
SPECTRE strengthens healthcare preparedness through training, education, research, and regional coordination. By equipping healthcare professionals with specialized skills, advancing infectious disease research, and leading regional preparedness efforts, SPECTRE enhances the ability to manage high-consequence infectious diseases. This video highlights SPECTRE’s mission and its role in providing healthcare professionals with the knowledge and resources needed to respond effectively. Through evidence-based education, research, and strategic partnerships, SPECTRE helps build stronger response capabilities at institutional, regional, and national levels.
Over the past two days, the WHO conducted the first test of a new global health emergency coordination mechanism with:
Participation from: Over 15 countries, 20+ regional health agencies, emergency networks, and partners.
Exercise Name: Exercise Polaris, a two-day simulation.
Focus: Testing WHO's Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC), a framework designed to:
Strengthen emergency workforces in countries.
Coordinate the deployment of surge teams and experts.
Enhance collaboration across nations.
