NSU Newsroom
SharkBytes
Horizons
This version of NSU News has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of NSU News, visit news.nova.edu.
This version of SharkBytes has been archived as of February 28, 2019. To search through archived articles, visit nova.edu/search. To access the new version of SharkBytes, visit sharkbytes.nova.edu.
New Name for Center for Bioterrorism and All-Hazards Preparedness
The Center for Bioterrorism and All-Hazards Preparedness (CBAP) at Nova Southeastern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine (COM) officially changed its name in May. It is now the Institute for Disaster and Emergency Preparedness (IDEP). The name change is to better reflect what the institute does and the nature of the field.
IDEP is a regional and national resource for the provision of educational services and programs focused on disaster and emergency preparedness and response for health care professionals, health care workers, first responders, and students preparing for health careers.
COM conducts the only osteopathic preventive medicine residency program in Florida. The program is based out of the Palm Beach County Health Department, and its director also serves as chair of the college’s Department of Preventive Medicine. Palm Beach County was the site of the nation’s first anthrax outbreak and death, which was one of the precipitating factors leading to the establishment of IDEP. In fact, COM preventive medicine residents participated in managing that critical situation.
IDEP works closely with state and national agencies to develop and distribute its educational programs and services. IDEP is the recent recipient of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to develop and implement interdisciplinary bioterrorism and all-hazards preparedness curriculum for health professions students as well as continuing education for 37,000 health care professionals and health care workers in South Florida. For the latter, COM is partnering with neighboring Broward Community College to provide all-hazards training to health care professionals and health care workers who require two years or less to earn their degrees or certificates.