About the Center for Bioterrorism and All-Hazards Preparedness (CBAP)
The Center for Bioterrorism and All-Hazards Preparedness (CBAP) at Nova Southeastern University, College of Osteopathic Medicine (NSU-COM) is a regional and national resource for the provision of educational services and programs focused on bioterrorism and all-hazards preparedness and response for health care professionals, health care workers, first responders, and students preparing for health careers.
CBAP is an integral part of the Health Professions Division (HPD) of NSU-COM and includes colleges and programs in osteopathic medicine, preventive medicine (residency), dental medicine, nursing, optometry, pharmacy, biomedical sciences, public health, biomedical informatics, occupational therapy, physical therapy, audiology, and physician assistant.
NSU-COM conducts the only osteopathic preventive medicine residency program in Florida. The program is based out of the Palm Beach County Health Department, and its director also serves as chair of the college’s Department of Preventive Medicine. Palm Beach County was the site of the nation’s first anthrax outbreak and death, which was one of the precipitating factors leading to the establishment of CBAP. In fact, NSU-COM preventive medicine residents participated in managing that critical situation.
CBAP works closely with state and national agencies to develop and distribute its educational programs and services. It began as taskforce shortly after 9/11, becoming a center in 2002. CBAP is the recent recipient of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) grants from the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) to develop and implement interdisciplinary bioterrorism and all-hazards preparedness curriculum for health professional students as well as continuing education for 37,000 health care professionals and health care workers in South Florida. For the latter, NSU-COM is partnering with neighboring Broward Community College to provide all-hazards training to health care professionals and health care workers who require two years or less to earn their degrees or certificates.
Bioterrorism and all-hazards training for nurses in the state’s public and private schools is supported through a contract from the Florida Department of Health.
Our goals are to provide:
- National Incident Management System (NIMS) compliant interdisciplinary all-hazards training at the standardized awareness, intermediate, advanced, and executive levels for health service workers, providers, staff, and volunteers.
- Awareness training on the needs of vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations (e.g., the elderly, children, pregnant women, persons with mental and physical disabilities, the homeless, tourists/visitors, migrant workers).
- Appropriate training in English and Spanish utilizing multiple instructional delivery methods.
Top of page 5
About Nova Southeastern University (NSU)
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a fully accredited, nonprofit institution awarding undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. Its enrollment of more than 25,000 students makes it the largest independent nonprofit institution of higher education in the Southeast and the sixth largest in the United States. NSU awards associate's, bachelor's, master's, educational specialist, doctoral, and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields. The 300-acre main campus is located in the Town of Davie in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with other campuses throughout Florida and across the nation. The 325,000-square-foot Alvin Sherman Library, Research, and Information Technology Center, with a 1.4 million-volume capacity, is the largest library building in the state of Florida.
Top of page 5
About Broward Community College (BCC)
Broward Community College (BCC) provides higher education and technical and occupational training for the citizens of Broward County. Courses are offered at six campuses and centers throughout the county. Additionally, the 150-acre Hughes Adams Central Campus located adjacent to NSU in Davie, Florida, is home to the Institute of Public Safety, which is responsible for the education and training needs of most local and state law enforcement and fire science agencies in South Florida.
BCC is one of the 28 community colleges in the Florida system. Through its wide variety of degree and certificate programs and continuing education courses, BCC attracts a great diversity of students. The college’s programs and services are designed to serve the community by meeting the higher needs of all these individuals.
Top of page 5
