Harold M. Maurer, M.D., chancellor of the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has been named as one of 12 members of the newly formed Biodefense Council of the Association of Academic Health Centers (AHC).
Roger J. Bulger, M.D., president and chief executive officer of the AHC, made the appointment.
“I’m so pleased that Dr. Maurer is able to contribute his time and expertise to the work of the council,” Dr. Bulger said.
Among other activities, the Biodefense Council will explore how academic health centers collectively can protect against bioterrorism, Dr. Bulger said.
Dr. Maurer served as chairman of the University of Nebraska Bioterrorism Task Force, which examined all issues relating to bioterrorism preparedness at the university’s four campuses and throughout the state.
He has led UNMC’s efforts in establishing a center for bioterrorism preparedness. Those efforts began long before the events of Sept. 11, and they continue today. Several federal granting agencies have recognized UNMC’s work.
Recently, Gov. Tom Ridge, advisor for the U.S. Office of Homeland Defense, visited UNMC to learn more about its efforts in bioterrorism preparedness. UNMC officials say the university is the best location, for several reasons, to be the home of a national preparedness laboratory that would augment the work of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Ga.
“It’s a tremendous honor to be named to the association’s Biodefense Council,” Dr. Maurer said. “This position is a reflection on the high regard with which national officials hold UNMC’s bioterrorism preparedness efforts. We’re well ahead of the curve on these issues, and I look forward to sharing our expertise with other academic health centers.”
Dr. Maurer plans to attend the Council’s convening meeting today (Monday, Nov. 18) in Washington, D.C.