Emergencies happen when you least expect them, that’s why it’s important to be as prepared as possible to handle whatever may come your way. At Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital, the Emergency Management team plans ahead to train employees how to respond when the unexpected happens and then helps coordinate the response. Part of the greater Brigham Health family, the Emergency Management team is led by Chris Smith, MHA, MEP, who recently assumed the role of Senior Manager. In this position, Smith will oversee emergency management at both Brigham and Women’s Hospital and BWFH.
Smith relocated to the Boston area from Columbia, Missouri for her previous position as Senior Program Manager, Response and Recovery at the Boston Public Health Commission, Office of Public Health Preparedness. “In that role, I worked with local and state public health and Boston hospitals administering the hospital preparedness program and managing the Medical Intelligence Center,” she says.
Smith originally studied Food Science and Nutrition as an undergraduate at University of Missouri-Columbia. But after the events of 9/11, she made a career change and eventually went back to school to earn her master’s degree in Health Administration, Health Management. “The Anthrax attacks really brought to light that public health and our response systems were not prepared to deal with bioterrorism or the health and medical response to disasters of any sort,” she says of her decision to begin working within her community to develop emergency plans.
These days, Smith finds that the hospital setting is a good fit. “There are so many different people and departments you get to work with,” she says. “Emergency preparedness is a team sport. Not one of us can do it alone. If everyone prepares and works together it will work well.”
Still relatively new to the Boston area, Smith spends her time away from work enjoying everything the city has to offer with her daughter who also lives in the area. “Since relocating to the Boston area, I have been the ultimate tourist,” she says. “I’ve been exploring New England. I really love the beaches, but I also like to camp so I’ve explored some of the mountain areas and trails as well.” This winter she hopes to have the chance to go skiing.
