In 2002, the Chicago Department of Public Health designated Rush a Center of Excellence in facilitating bioterrorism preparedness within the city of Chicago. The purpose of the McCormick Foundation Center for Advanced Emergency Response is to serve as a primary resource for the Chicago Department of Public Health as well as local hospitals, both in planning for and response to a potential terrorism event or public health emergency.

The McCormick Foundation Center for Advanced Emergency Response at Rush is directed by an internal committee of clinicians from the following areas: emergency medicine, infectious disease, infection control, microbiology, occupational safety, pediatrics, pharmacy and psychiatry. The Rush committee collaborates with the Chicago Department of Public Health and area hospitals to address key issues through work groups, educational programs, drills, and sharing of resources and ideas.

Rush is dedicated to terrorism preparedness project planning and implementation. Rush received funding for preparedness programming in the following areas:

• Education and Training
• Drills and Exercises
• Surveillance
• Psychosocial Response
• Pediatric Preparedness
• Surge Planning

For more information on bioterrorism and disaster preparedness:

• Other Online Resources on Bioterrorism

To read a news release about the facilities:

• McCormick Foundation Gives $7.5 Million to Rush University Medical Center for State-of-the Art Emergency Preparedness Facility