Building safer communities and a safer nation
Healthcare systems—and the communities they serve—must be prepared to address the rising number of health security threats that could jeopardize critical operations and put lives at risk. Tackling these issues demands a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach that enhances preparedness, response, and resilience. The National Center for Health Security and Resilience, a collaboration between Georgetown University Medical Center and MedStar Health, advances emergency management, health intelligence, crisis coordination, and all-hazard preparedness across the National Capital Region and beyond.
Leveraging the clinical, research, and policy leadership and expertise of MedStar Health and Georgetown University, the National Center for Health Security and Resilience is uniquely positioned to develop comprehensive, real-world solutions that strengthen systems of response and communication. Housed within the MedStar Institute for Innovation, the National Center for Health Security and Resilience is committed to working in partnership with government, private sector, and academic stakeholders to meet these critical needs.
Our work
The National Center for Health Security and Resilience designs, builds, deploys, and evaluates technology-enabled solutions for crisis preparedness and response, ensuring healthcare systems and other critical stakeholders are more adaptive and resilient. To achieve its ambitious aims, the National Center for Health Security and Resilience will:
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Develop end-to-end solutions for national and regional health threats.
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Lead innovation in biothreat detection, pandemic preparedness, and crisis response.
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Enhance resilience through simulation, modeling, and specialized education.
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Foster cross-sector collaboration with government, private industry, and academic institutions.
The National Center for Health Security and Resilience will drive this coordinated, evidence-based action to strengthen health security nationwide, serving as a trusted resource that provides cutting-edge research, actionable insights, technology-driven solutions, and leading training programs.
Health Security Operations Center
The Health Security Operations Center (HSOC) is a public health intelligence center that collects, reviews, and interprets data to provide guidance and support to local, state, and national public health authorities during events with national, regional, and international reach. It operates under the joint National Center for Health Security and Resilience as part of the Georgetown University and MedStar Health academic health system partnership. HSOC convenes a network of collaborators to support coordinated, real-time awareness and action in response to infectious disease risks.
HSOC has launched for the Summer 2026 World Cup and other mass gathering events. Read more in the press release.
Our team
The National Center for Health Security and Resilience is led by a team of nationally recognized experts in health security, innovation, emergency response, and public health preparedness:
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Ethan Booker, MD
Chief Medical Officer for Telehealth, MedStar Health -
Shane Kappler, MD, MS
Medical Director, Biocontainment Unit, MedStar Health -
Rebecca Katz, PhD, MPH
Director, Georgetown University Center for Global Health Science & Security -
Timothy W. Manning
Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council and President of Berglind-Manning l.c
Our partners
The National Center for Health Security and Resilience is a collaboration between the following teams, among others:
By creating this center of excellence in the nation’s capital, MedStar Health and Georgetown University continue to transform health through renowned and growing partnerships in innovation, education, and research. The team is proud to unite national experts and the communities we serve to deliver the highest quality, compassionate care and health security guidance.
Contact
To learn more about our work, please contact us at healthsecurity@medstar.net.