Regional Coordination

Strengthening Preparedness Across HHS Region 6

As the designated Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC) for HHS Region 6, SPECTRE plays a critical role in strengthening healthcare system preparedness across Texas, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and New Mexico. Through collaborative planning, training, and information-sharing, we work to ensure a coordinated regional response to emerging special pathogens.

Kara Marshall, MPH

Program Manager for Institutional Preparedness, SPECTRE

Email: karmarsh@utmb.edu

SPECTRE Regional Coordination:

A coordinated regional approach is essential for effective infectious disease preparedness and response. This video explores SPECTRE’s role in regional coordination, highlighting efforts to strengthen healthcare system readiness across HHS Region 6. Through collaborative planning, training initiatives, and situational awareness programs, SPECTRE works to enhance partnerships between hospitals, public health agencies, and emergency response teams. By fostering communication and resource-sharing, SPECTRE helps ensure that regional healthcare systems are equipped to respond effectively to emerging health threats.

Building Partnerships & Expanding Collaboration: SPECTRE fosters relationships with state and local health departments, hospital networks, academic institutions, and emergency preparedness partners. Our standing bi-monthly regional meetings provide a platform to assess regional readiness, share best practices, and coordinate response efforts across public health, healthcare, and emergency management sectors.

Training & Preparedness Exercises: Regularly scheduled regional exercises enhance response capabilities, ensuring that frontline workers, hospitals, and public health teams are well-prepared for high-consequence infectious diseases (HCIDs). These efforts include:

Preparedness drills
HCID response exercises
National emergency response collaborations

Situational Awareness & Emergency Response Support: During active outbreaks, SPECTRE collaborates with state epidemiologists and public health officials to provide weekly situational updates and monitor regional threats. This allows for real-time tracking, regional preparedness assessments, and rapid mobilization of resources.

National Coordination & Leadership: SPECTRE actively contributes to the National Special Pathogens System (NSPS) and collaborates with the 12 other RESPTCs nationwide. We participate in national workgroups to develop training programs, clinical guidelines, and response strategies that set the standard for preparedness efforts across the U.S.

Contact Our Regional Coordination Team
For questions or to get involved in regional preparedness efforts, reach out to our team.

Activities

Joint Preparedness and Response

Conducting exercises and trainings to enhance readiness for high-consequence infectious diseases

Collaborative Partnerships

Strengthening connections with public health, healthcare, educational institutions, and private and public sectors

National Coordination

Working alongside the 12 other Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs) to support national preparedness efforts

Have Questions or Want to Connect with our Regional Coordination? Reach out to us!

Submit your questions, and our team will provide the answers you need. Together, we can ensure readiness for emerging special pathogens.

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