CENTER STAFF

Philip W. Smith, MD - Co-Director
Dr. Smith is Professor and Chief of the Section of Infectious Diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. He has served on the board of the Society of Health care Epidemiology of America (SHEA); as guest faculty at the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Hospital Epidemiology Course in Atlanta, Georgia; and as president of the Nebraska Infection Control Network (NICN). A Fellow of the American College of Physicians and the Infectious Diseases Society of America, Dr. Smith has over 100 publications, including books, articles and abstracts. He is medical director of the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit, and serves as chairman of the Preparedness Working Group of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee at the CDC.

Gary L. Gorby, MD - Co-Director
An Associate Professor of Medical Microbiology and Immunology at Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Dr. Gorby also serves as a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and maintains a research laboratory at the Omaha Veterans Administration Medical Center. He is board certified in Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases and is a Fellow of the Infectious Diseases Society of America.
Dr. Gorby serves on the Creighton University Biosafety Committee and has an active interest in applying computer technology for designing interactive lectures and websites. He has received the Innovative Use of Instructional Technology Award from Creighton University.
 

Sharon Medcalf, RN, MEd - Associate Director  
As Associate Director, Sharon is responsible for developing educational programs in the area of bioterrorism geared toward the needs of Nebraska’s healthcare providers and public health officials. Sharon has 15 years of acute care experience that includes being a member of an air and ground transport emergency team. She has worked in the international arena; holding positions in Canada and Saudi Arabia, and eventually moved form bedside nursing to infection control and staff development. Before being named to her current position, she was involved with various bioterrorism preparedness committees; including the Omaha Metropolitan Medical Response System (OMMRS) group which began it work in 1999. She has attended several bioterrorism seminars and has made a number of presentations on the subject to both health care providers and the public. Recently, for Nebraska’s pre-event smallpox vaccination plan, Sharon led a team across the state to train professionals to administer the smallpox vaccine and provided education to the clinics.
 

Barbara L. Dodge, B-Ed - Hospital Preparedness Coordinator
Barbara joined out staff in October 2003 as the Hospital Preparedness Coordinator.  Barb comes to us from Nebraska Health and Human Services System (HHSS), where she was the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Training and Education Coordinator.  As Coordinator of Hospital Preparedness, she works with hospitals to develop preparedness plans, and promotes implementation of a Hospital Incident Management System. As part of the Center’s educational team, Barb will participate in the bioterrorism symposia and development of educational materials.

Keith Hansen BS - Pandemic Influenza Education and Outreach Coordinator
Keith has worked in Public Health disaster response for the past four years.  His responsibilities included the creation and implementation of the State’s Strategic National Stockpile Plan, exercise development and implementation, and coordination of the Public Health and Medical disaster responses in conjunction with the Nebraska Emergency Management Agency.  Keith has extensive experience in public health education, public health and disaster response training, exercising disaster plans.
 

Leslie Scofield BA, NREMT - Program Coordinator
Leslie is the Program Coordinator the National Disaster Life Support Regional Training Center at the Center for Biopreparedness Education.  In this role, Leslie serves on the National Disaster Life
Support Education Consortium, the Omaha Metropolitan Medical Response System (OMMRS) committee, and the Center for Biopreparedness Education Educational Consortium.  In addition to
coordinating the National Disaster Life Support courses regionally for the Center for Biopreparedness Education, she serves as a national faculty member for the National Disaster Life Support
Foundation based at Medical College of Georgia’s Center of Operational Medicine.

Lea Pounds, MBA, MEP - Marketing Director
Lea’s expertise lies in helping organizations optimize communications with core audiences. Her background includes over 12 years working with small service oriented firms in developing and implementing marketing programs. Lea serves as director of marketing for the Center coordinating a variety of marketing efforts as well as assisting in delivering programs within the organizational assistance area.

Kristin Watkins MBA - Library/Grants Coordinator
Kristin’s background includes writing grants for educational programs, program administration and development for the past 20 years.  As Library/Grants Coordinator, she will also serve as Biopreparedness Librarian and administrator of the Center’s learning management system, TRAIN. Kristin has been active in local leadership programs and has been mentoring and teaching leadership for nearly ten years. 

Kristine Sanger BSMT(ASCP) - Hospital Exercise Coordinator
Kristi's role serves the function of helping the hospitals of Nebraska plan for disasters through exercises.  She is involved in the Omaha Metropolitan Medical Response System (OMMRS) and the Greater Omaha Association for Infection Control Practitioners (APIC).  Her background includes 10 years of healthcare experience including infection control and patient safety, and clinic and hospital clinical laboratories.