Experts Discuss Hurricanes, MCIs at Annual Tex. Healthcare Symposium

PRESS RELEASE

The Southeast Texas Regional Advisory Council (SETRAC) and the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) will host the 2018 Annual Regional Healthcare Preparedness Coalition (RHPC) Symposium October 24-26 at the Galveston Island Convention Center. World-renowned health professionals, security experts, and first-responders will recount experiences and lessons learned from recent natural disasters and mass casualty incidents. 

“Leveraging these peer resources can help us gain valuable insight on how we can better prepare for the next major disaster,” said SETRAC Chief Executive Officer Darrell Pile. “We all know how crucial it is to strengthen and enhance the capabilities of our healthcare systems to be able to respond to evolving threats and other emergencies.” 

The RHPC Symposium is comprised of headliner keynote speakers along with practical learning and sharing sessions; and ample time to engage and network with colleagues from across the country and abroad. More than 400 health care professionals, first-responders, emergency managers and government officials will attend the three-day event. 

“Our goal is to provide health professionals with the opportunity to exchange ideas and concepts that will improve emergency public health preparedness in their communities,” said SETRAC Regional Director of Emergency Management Operations Lori Upton. “It is also important to establish open dialogue between local health departments and other agencies.” 

This year, presenters will provide reviews of hurricanes Harvey and Maria, as well as initiate discussions on the Las Vegas and Santa Fe shootings, the Washington, D.C. Amtrak derailment, the Thailand cave rescue, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), cybersecurity and much more. Keynote speakers include Dr. Robert Kadlec, the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health & Human Resources and Professor Isaac Ashkenazi, the former Director of the Urban Terrorism Preparedness Project at the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University. Speakers from organizations such as the Seattle Fire Department, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Association of State EMS Officials, the American Medical Response, the Chiangrai Regional Hospital, and the Northwest Healthcare Response Network will also be in attendance. 

SETRAC and RHPC are committed to coordinating with local partners to strengthen disaster medical response capabilities that will critically impact future response and recovery efforts. Click here for agenda and additional information. 

Who: Photo and interview opportunities will be available with symposium organizers, participants and guests speakers including: 

• Darrell Pile, Chief Executive Officer, SETRAC 
• Lori Upton, Regional Director of Emergency Management Operations, SETRAC 
• Dr. Robert Kadlec, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, U.S. Department of Health & Human Resources (Keynote Speaker) 
• Professor Isaac Ashkenazi, Disaster Management Expert and Former Director of the Urban Terrorism Preparedness Project at the National Preparedness Leadership Initiative at Harvard University 
• Doctors Supachok Maspakom and Pintatham, Chiangrai Regional Hospital, Thailand 
• Elected and law enforcement officials 

What: 2018 RHPC Preparedness Symposium 
           Response assets on display 

When: Thursday, October 25 – VIP Day 
            9 a.m. – noon 

Where: Galveston Island Convention Center 
             5600 Seawall Boulevard 
             Galveston, Texas 77551