NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, Harlem, and Jacobi Earn National Special Pathogen Awards to Strengthen Regional Surge Capacity
Three hospitals recognized as National Special Pathogen System Level 2 Treatment Centers, expanding the public health care system’s ability to safely care for patients with high-consequence infectious diseases
Jan 15, 2026
NYC Health + Hospitals today announced that three of its acute care hospitals — NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst, NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi — were awarded the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS) Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment and Network Development (STAND) Award. These designations formally recognize the hospital facilities as NSPS Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (SPTCs), expanding the public health care system’s capacity to safely care for patients with high-consequence infectious diseases. The grant program is administered by the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC), the national coordinating body for the NSPS. Each award recipient will receive up to $500,000 to support enhanced training, workforce readiness, infrastructure, and operational planning for special pathogens.
“For generations, NYC Health + Hospitals has been on the frontlines of every major infectious disease threat facing our city, including the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Dr. Ted Long, Senior Vice President of Ambulatory Care and Population Health at NYC Health + Hospitals. “From early detection to specialized treatment and systemwide response, we are building the capacity New Yorkers rely on in moments of uncertainty. These designations continue our proud legacy of infectious disease response and affirm our commitment by supporting our workforce and leading with readiness when it matters most. I am thankful for our doctors, nurses, hospital staff, epidemiologists, and city emergency workers who never hesitate to leap into action to support New Yorkers in their greatest time of need.”
“NETEC is pleased to welcome three distinguished facilities within the NYC Health + Hospitals system into the National Special Pathogen System as Level 2 treatment centers,” said John Lowe, PhD, Executive Director of the Global Center for Health Security at University of Nebraska Medical Center, and NETEC Co-Principal Investigator. “Their designation strengthens preparedness across HHS Region 2, supports NYC Health + Hospital/Bellevue’s role as the Region’s Level 1 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center, and contributes to a broader national expansion that adds 54 new Special Pathogen Treatment Centers across 28 U.S. states and territories — significantly reinforcing the country’s preparedness and response capabilities for high-consequence infectious diseases.”
“These awards recognize the extraordinary preparedness and expertise of our frontline teams,” said Syra Madad, DHSc, MSc, MCP, CHEP, Chief Biopreparedness Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals. “By building a stronger Level 2 network within NYC Health + Hospitals, we are enhancing national preparedness and regional surge capacity for special pathogens across HHS Region 2 and ensuring more communities can rapidly access safe, specialized care when it matters most. With Bellevue serving as our Level 1 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center, NYC Health + Hospitals is uniquely positioned nationally as one of the only health systems with both a Level 1 hub and three Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Centers, creating a powerful, integrated system for high-consequence infectious disease response.”
“We live in an interconnected world. An infectious disease outbreak abroad can quickly become a public health concern here at home. As an international travel hub, New York City is a vital part of the nation’s front-line pathogen protection to prevent the spread of disease and to protect those who live and travel through our city,” said NYC Health Department Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “The NYC Health Department is committed to its ongoing partnership with NYC Health + Hospitals, NYCEM, and FDNY to prepare the city for emerging public health threats and to be ready whenever disaster strikes.”The STAND Award is 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 award strengthens national readiness by expanding and advancing Level 2 special pathogen capabilities, including staff training, infrastructure, workforce development, and operational preparedness.
NYC Health + Hospitals has a storied legacy of infectious disease response. NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, home to the system’s Special Pathogens Program, responded to the 2014 Ebola outbreak by building durable, long-term special pathogens capabilities, and was designated as a founding member of the three-institution NETEC consortium along with Emory University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Today, Bellevue serves as the NSPS Level 1 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center (RESPTC) for HHS Region 2, which includes New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“For nearly three centuries, Bellevue has stood at the forefront of infectious disease care, helping shape how healthcare systems respond to emerging threats,” said Eric Wei, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “Today, Bellevue’s role as a national leader in special pathogen preparedness is carried out by working alongside NYC Health + Hospitals system’s Level 2 treatment centers and in partnership with healthcare leaders across the region — advancing readiness and expertise to protect our workforce and the communities we serve.”
As NSPS Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Centers, Elmhurst, Harlem, and Jacobi Hospitals will work closely with NETEC and regional partners to achieve and maintain Level 2 readiness standards. These hospitals will support preparedness across the continuum of care, reinforce the region’s ability to rapidly scale up during outbreaks, and partner closely with Level 1 regional hubs. Level 2 facilities are designed to deliver specialized care for patients with high-consequence infectious diseases for the duration of illness and to support coordinated response during times of surge.
“As the Level 1 Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center, Bellevue Hospital works closely with partners across the region to ensure readiness for high-consequence infectious diseases,” said Vikramjit Mukherjee, MD, Chief, Critical Care and Chief, Special Pathogens Program, Bellevue Hospital, and NETEC Co-Principal Investigator. “We are thrilled with the addition of Elmhurst, Harlem, and Jacobi as Level 2 treatment centers, strengthening NYC Health + Hospitals’ collective capacity and aligning with Bellevue’s role in coordinating training, clinical readiness, and systemwide response.”
The NYC Health + Hospitals System Biopreparedness Team will support each awardee hospital’s implementation efforts and will work closely with leadership and staff at Elmhurst, Harlem, and Jacobi Hospital to strengthen and sustain their special pathogens programs.
“Securing the NETEC STAND Level 2 grant is a powerful affirmation of Elmhurst Hospital’s commitment to protecting our patients, our workforce, and our community,” said Laura Iavicoli, MD, MBA, FACEP, CHEP Chief Medical Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst. “This award recognizes the extraordinary preparedness, clinical expertise, and teamwork that define Elmhurst, and it strengthens our ability to respond safely and effectively to emerging infectious disease threats.”
“We take immense pride in the exceptional work being done at Harlem Hospital to guarantee that our patients receive the best standard of care,” said Georges H. Leconte, MPA, FAB, Chief Executive Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem. “Our designation as a Level 2 Special Pathogens Treatment Center (SPTC) demonstrates our interdisciplinary team’s unwavering commitment to achieving and upholding readiness standards in preparation for any potential outbreak. This recognition significantly enhances our preparedness and capacity to safely manage patients with infectious diseases that pose significant risks and consequences. The Harlem community can have complete confidence that Harlem Hospital is fully equipped with the expertise and resources necessary to safeguard our patients and effectively respond to any infectious disease challenge.”
“We are thrilled to be recognized as an NSPS Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Center (SPTC),” said Cara Taubman, MD, MPH, Clinical Director of Emergency Management at NYC Health + Hospitals/Harlem. “Given the recent outbreaks of highly infectious diseases globally, Harlem Hospital is fully prepared to provide exceptional care to our patients in the event of an outbreak in New York City. This designation is instrumental in enhancing our readiness, safeguarding our hospital, and protecting the community we serve.”
“When the Bronx and New York City experience a crisis and medical care is needed, Jacobi Hospital is where they turn,” said Christopher Mastromano, Chief Executive Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi | North Central Bronx. “This NETEC STAND Level 2 Award is an important recognition and a sign to our patients and neighbors that if there’s an outbreak of a high-consequence infectious disease, Jacobi will be ready to respond with the expertise and specialized care they need.”
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About NYC Health + Hospitals
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest public health care system in the nation serving more than a million New Yorkers annually in more than 70 patient care locations across the city’s five boroughs. A robust network of outpatient, neighborhood-based primary and specialty care centers anchors care coordination with the system’s trauma centers, nursing homes, post-acute care centers, home care agency, and MetroPlus health plan—all supported by 11 essential hospitals. Its diverse workforce of more than 42,000 employees is uniquely focused on empowering New Yorkers, without exception, to live the healthiest life possible. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org and stay connected on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem or Twitter at @NYCHealthSystem.
About NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue is America’s oldest public hospital, established in 1736. Affiliated with the NYU Grossman School of Medicine, the 851-bed hospital is a major referral center for highly complex cases, with 6,000 employees including highly skilled, interdisciplinary clinical staff. The hospital is a Level 1 Trauma Center and annually it sees about 103,000 emergency room visits, and more than 520,000 outpatient visits. Clinical centers of excellence include: Emergency Medicine and Trauma Care; Cardiovascular Services; Bariatric Surgery; Designated Regional Perinatal Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit; Children’s Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program; and Cancer Services. For more information on Bellevue, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org/bellevue and follow us on Facebook and X (Twitter). For more information on the Special Pathogens Program, please visit www.R2RESPTC.org.