As we continue into our third decade of leading health emergency preparedness at the University, I am reminded that this crucial work demands vigilance, grace, and resolve. The need to serve the University and our broader community remains a constant. As director of the Health Emergency Response Office, I am proud to share the significant achievements and impacts our team delivered in the 2025-26 academic year.
Key Highlights:
- Our University of Minnesota Medical Reserve Corps saw strong growth and deployed to the Annunciation School shooting, reminding us that emergency response includes the imperative to provide mental health support.
- Our UMNPrepared initiative delivered numerous life-saving trainings open to anyone on campus.
- We taught the next generation of public health and healthcare professionals through courses, internships and graduate projects and have educated more than 500 students in the last decade.
- We wrapped up a multi-million-dollar grant with the State of Minnesota that expanded the disaster response and recovery capacity of Minnesota's Medical Reserve Corps units across the state, including our own on campus.
- We launched the Preparedness Alliance team, a collaboration with the Minnesota Department of Health, which conducted dozens of elicitation interviews and will be instrumental in informing strategies for future pandemics and other health emergencies.
As we enjoy the glorious rites of spring on campus (and beyond), I am grateful for the reawakening of ideas and projects. It is my true honor to be a part of the Health Emergency Response Office team as we are continually preparing for the proverbial changing of seasons to ensure we meet the health emergency preparedness needs across the University and our broader communities.