SPECTRE Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment Readiness & Education Program

Welcome to SPECTRE!

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.

 

Susan McLellan, MD, MPH
Susan McLellan, MD, MPH
Susan McLellan, MD, MPH
Director, SPECTRE
Medical Director, Biocontainment Care Unit
Email: sumclell@utmb.edu
 Faculty Bio

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Who is SPECTRE

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.

What we do

Clinical Care
Training & Education
Regional Coordination
Research Infrastructure

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News & Events

 Latest News

SPECTRE Drives Regional Dialogue on Special Pathogen Readiness

On October 14, 2025, the University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) hosted the 2nd Annual HHS Region 6 Stakeholder Meeting in Galveston, Texas. As the designated Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC) for Region 6, UTMB—together with its Special Pathogens Excellence in Clinical Treatment, Readiness, and Education (SPECTRE) program—welcomed public health and healthcare leaders from across the region.  

Participants from Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico represented a wide range of disciplines, including epidemiology, emergency management, clinical care, EMS, and public health. The gathering served as a platform for strengthening collaboration, sharing best practices, and aligning regional strategies for high-consequence infectious disease (HCID) preparedness.

Throughout the day, attendees engaged in discussions on emerging threats, readiness capabilities, and lessons learned from recent response efforts. The meeting also provided valuable opportunities to foster regional relationships and reinforce a shared commitment to healthcare resilience. The event highlighted the power of partnership and coordination in protecting communities and advancing HCID readiness across Region 6.

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