Terrorism and Disaster Management: Preparing Healthcare Leaders for The New Reality

The event of one day-9/11/2001, changed the world in many ways, but the warnings and discussions of potential terrorism on our own soil, of future threats of bio war and plagues, of massive earth changed, or of thermonuclear war have existed for decades. The need for medical care is the one constant element in the aftermath of any disaster, whether treating the physically wounded or sick, the scared, or those suffering from the many psychological traumas that bring the “walking wounded” in for care. Healthcare leaders who choose a path of awareness and prepare for the threats around them benefit greatly when their communities are threatened and their facilities are able to respond effectively.