NEW YORK -UNS :NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue has hosted approximately 50 healthcare workers from Elmhurst Hospital, Harlem Hospital and Jacobi Hospital for specialized hands-on training aimed at strengthening New York City’s preparedness for Ebola and other high-consequence infectious diseases.
The all-day training session, conducted in collaboration with NYC Health + Hospitals’ Central Office of Biopreparedness and Emergency Management teams, focused on improving coordination and strengthening the public healthcare system’s ability to respond safely and effectively to serious infectious disease threats.
Elmhurst, Harlem and Jacobi hospitals are among 15 new Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (SPTCs) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Region 2 participating in the Special Pathogen Treatment and Network Development (STAND) Award program. The three facilities received the awards in January 2026.
Administered by the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC), with support from the federal Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), the programme helps hospitals develop the workforce, infrastructure and operational capabilities needed to manage dangerous infectious disease outbreaks.
Bellevue Hospital Chief Executive Officer Eric Wei said the facility was sharing its expertise with other public hospitals to strengthen the city’s collective response capabilities and protect New Yorkers.
Syra Madad, chief biopreparedness officer at NYC Health + Hospitals, emphasized the importance of a coordinated, systemwide approach as the three hospitals work toward becoming fully operational Level 2 treatment centers.
Vikramjit Mukherjee, Bellevue’s chief of critical care and special pathogens programme and NETEC co-principal investigator, said regular training and practice were essential to ensuring healthcare teams were prepared before a crisis emerged.
Bellevue serves as the Level 1 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center for HHS Region 2, covering New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The hospital hosted all 15 regional Level 2 awardees for initial training in February 2026 and continues to provide specialized instruction, technical assistance and expertise to strengthen regional and national preparedness.
