Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Awarded $300K Grant to Advance Special Pathogen Treatment Capabilities

The Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) Bioresponse Program has been selected as a recipient of the Special Pathogen Treatment, Assessment, and Network Development (STAND) Award from the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC), the nation’s leader in special pathogen preparedness and response.

Led by Dr. George Anesi, the HUP Bioresponse Program and Special Pathogen Treatment Unit has been awarded $300,000 to enhance readiness, training, and infrastructure to safely care for patients with high-consequence infectious diseases. This program serves as a Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Center (SPTC), playing a crucial role in the National Special Pathogen System (NSPS). The NSPS is a tiered framework that ensures safe, high-quality care across the U.S. during high-consequence infectious disease (HCID) outbreaks.

Selected through a competitive review process, the STAND Award recipients, including HUP, are hospitals and health systems dedicated to advancing special pathogen preparedness. This award will support efforts to expand access to specialized care and strengthen readiness through activities such as staff training, equipment acquisition, and development of systems for effective special pathogen care delivery. Throughout the award period, NETEC, in collaboration with the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers (RESPTCs), will provide ongoing technical assistance, training, and verification support to help recipients meet Level 2 SPTC standards.

About the HUP Bioresponse Program and Special Pathogen Treatment Unit

The mission of the Bioresponse Program and its Special Treatment Unit is to maintain preparedness for the coordination and care of patients with high risk or emerging pathogens at Penn Medicine.

The program is responsible for:

• Maintaining awareness of global, national, regional, and local surveillance of high risk and emerging pathogens to inform Penn’s preparedness
• Maintaining a working, adaptable bioresponse preparedness plan and associated clinical operations manuals
• Coordinating bioresponse and preparedness efforts with the multidisciplinary partners
• Maintaining Bioresponse Team rosters; delivering instruction, training, and simulation for the Bioresponse Team; and activating the Bioresponse Team in the event of a novel threat within the Penn Medicine footprint, including logistics, operations, and clinical care
• Assuming temporary preparedness and response leadership roles at the Department, Hospital, and School of Medicine/Health System levels during periods of active threats or events
• Contributing to the academic preparedness and response literature

About NETEC

The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) is the nation’s leader in special pathogen preparedness and response. Established in 2015 and funded by the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), NETEC is led by a consortium of Emory University, the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, in partnership with the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center network. As the Coordinating Body for the National Special Pathogen System, NETEC advances national health security through training, assessments, consultative services, research, and evidence-based best practices. Learn more at netec.org.