Experts Share Real-World Lessons at NEO Emergency Preparedness Conference

The Northeast Ohio Healthcare Coalition’s (HCC) annual conference on June 6 brought together a full slate of speakers from local and national organizations to share their expertise on a range of issues related to emergency preparedness and present awards to four Northeast Ohio individuals who have made important contributions to the region.

Offered at no cost to attendees and supported by grant funding as part of WellLink Health Alliance’s emergency preparedness programming, this year’s event was once again held at Lakeland Community College. A wide range of disciplines were present, including hospitals, EMS, public health, emergency management, and long-term care providers.

The full day of programming included an incredible roster of professionals from Industrial Water Management, Ohio Emergency Management Agency, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, P5Cyber, Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio, Recover Resources, and Frontline.

This year’s conference — made possible thanks to sponsors Northwest Ambulance, Carington Park and WellLink Group Purchasing — offered attendees valuable opportunities to network, expand their knowledge and hear from professionals who are experts in their fields. In addition to seeing an increase in attendance over last year, NEO HCC welcomed several new coalition members who will be part of the regional program moving forward.

“The conference provided a space for attendees to expand their knowledge and hear from professionals who are experts in their fields,” said Christina Fozio, emergency preparedness program manager at WellLink. “This year’s conference theme, Strength through Partnerships, reflects our deep belief that only through collaboration, strategy, and shared purpose can we prepare our organizations and communities to stand strong in the face of crisis — and be the steady presence our citizens rely on.”

Featuring an emphasis on integrating access and functional needs planning into healthcare preparedness, speakers provided valuable updates on regional preparedness priorities, emerging threats, and lessons learned from recent exercises and real-world events. Several agencies shared tools, best practices and plans that can be adapted or adopted regionally, promoting standardization and efficiency.

This year’s sessions included:

• Mental Wellness Program Overviews – presented by Amanda Nowak, Student Wellness Consultant at the Educational Service Center of Northeast Ohio; Rick Oliver, Director of Crisis and Trauma Services, Frontline; and Joellen Woodring, Director of Community Programs, Recovery Resources.
• Prepared to Perform: Tabletop Exercises for Cyber Resilience – presented by Erik Ramirez, Founder and Principal Cybersecurity Advisor, P5Cyber.
• Measles and Special Pathogens – presented by Jeffrey Luk, Director of Prehospital Disaster Medicine, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Region II Clinical Advisor.
• Disaster Recovery and Cost Documentation / COVID Lessons Learned for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers – presented by Brock R. Metzger, Disaster Recovery Branch Supervisor, Ohio Emergency Management Agency.
• Legionella & Other Waterborne Pathogens – Developing an Effective Water Management Plan – presented by Jim Lark, Healthcare Division Risk Manager, Industrial Water Management.
• Victim Advocacy – Overcoming Trauma: The Role of the Victim Advocate in the Aftermath – presented by Jill A. Smialek, Cuyahoga County Deputy Director of Public Safety & Justice Services.
• OMORT in Ohio – presented by Dr. Chuck Berner, Forensic Odontologist, Co-Command at the Ohio Mortuary Response Team.

The conference included the presentation of awards, given in recognition of Northeast Ohio Healthcare Coalition members who have made a significant and lasting impact on the field and practice of emergency preparedness or emergency management. The recipients were honored both for their contributions to the emergency preparedness program within their agency and for their efforts to engage the community to improve preparedness.

Presented by Vince Gildone, Administrator for the Northwest Ambulance District, this year’s awards honored:

• Dawn Cole, Lake County General Health District
• Tracy Pate, City of Cleveland Public Health
• Janine Trottier, Lorain County Public Health
• Bob Sabol, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center

About the Northeast Ohio Healthcare Coalition

Spanning Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties, the Northeast Ohio Healthcare Coalition (NEO HCC) brings diverse healthcare organizations together to respond and coordinate efforts before, during, and after emergencies. The NEO HCC collaborates with stakeholders to ensure the community has the necessary medical equipment and supplies, real-time information, communication systems, and trained personnel to respond to an emergency.