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Feb 18, 2026
Visit exemplifies shared commitment to strengthen global readiness for high-consequence infectious disease outbreaks through coordinated training and collaboration
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue welcomed three delegates from the Disease Control and Prevention Center (DCC), National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), part of the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) for an immersive special pathogens training exchange. The visit builds on a Memorandum of Understanding and the shared commitment between the institutions to strengthen global readiness for high-consequence infectious disease (HCID) outbreaks through coordinated trainings, best practices, and global collaboration.
“We are pleased to welcome colleagues from DCC, NCGM, part of the Japan Institute for Health Security, back to Bellevue as our partnership advances from agreement to action,” said Eric Wei, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “This exchange strengthens readiness on both sides and reinforces the importance of global collaboration to protect patients, health care workers, and communities.”
“We are honored to visit Bellevue so soon after the signing of our Memorandum of Understanding,” said Yutaro Akiyama, MD, Disease Control and Prevention Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM). “This visit represents an important step in strengthening our clinical workforce through international collaboration. Our team has gained invaluable insights by observing high-level isolation practices, training methods, and special pathogen protocols implemented in the United States. We look forward to deepening this partnership as we continue to enhance our preparedness for infectious disease threats.”
During the visit, the delegation participated in immersive training sessions and discussions with Bellevue’s Special Pathogens Program team focused on special pathogen patient care, high-level isolation unit operations, and personal protective equipment protocols. The delegation also visited NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln to observe a training led by the NYC Health + Hospitals Systemwide Special Pathogen Program.
“Preparing for special pathogen outbreaks demands global partnership,” said Justin Chan, MD, Epidemiologist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “Because infectious diseases do not respect national borders, only shared knowledge, trust, and coordinated action can result in robust preparedness.”
In a reciprocal effort, Bellevue’s Special Pathogens Program will send four delegates to Tokyo, Japan, in February 2026 to participate in a special pathogen training program led by the JIHS. The Bellevue team will support advanced sessions and share their experience responding to the 2014 Ebola response in New York City.
“We are honored to exchange knowledge with our colleagues from the Japan Institute for Health Security,” said Vikramjit Mukherjee, MD, Chief of Critical Care and Chief of Special Pathogens Program. “This two-way exchange not only broadens our collective understanding but also reinforces the importance of global partnership in preparing for and responding to special pathogen outbreaks.”
The international exchange is part of ongoing efforts by both institutions to build resilient, coordinated systems that can rapidly respond to HCID incidents worldwide.
Bellevue Hospital, the oldest public hospital in the United States, has a longstanding legacy in infectious disease management and plays a central role within the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) consortium, a leader in national special pathogen preparedness and response. It is a recognized leader within the National Special Pathogen System — a nationwide, tiered network of care ranging from frontline facilities to advanced treatment centers. Bellevue’s Special Pathogens Program serves as the designated 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. RESPTCs act as resource hubs, providing highly specialized care for patients suspected of, or infected by, special pathogens such as Ebola, mpox, or H5N1 bird flu.
https://www.nychealthandhospitals.or...ning-exchange/
Visit exemplifies shared commitment to strengthen global readiness for high-consequence infectious disease outbreaks through coordinated training and collaboration
NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue welcomed three delegates from the Disease Control and Prevention Center (DCC), National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM), part of the Japan Institute for Health Security (JIHS) for an immersive special pathogens training exchange. The visit builds on a Memorandum of Understanding and the shared commitment between the institutions to strengthen global readiness for high-consequence infectious disease (HCID) outbreaks through coordinated trainings, best practices, and global collaboration.
“We are pleased to welcome colleagues from DCC, NCGM, part of the Japan Institute for Health Security, back to Bellevue as our partnership advances from agreement to action,” said Eric Wei, MD, MBA, Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “This exchange strengthens readiness on both sides and reinforces the importance of global collaboration to protect patients, health care workers, and communities.”
“We are honored to visit Bellevue so soon after the signing of our Memorandum of Understanding,” said Yutaro Akiyama, MD, Disease Control and Prevention Center, National Center for Global Health and Medicine (NCGM). “This visit represents an important step in strengthening our clinical workforce through international collaboration. Our team has gained invaluable insights by observing high-level isolation practices, training methods, and special pathogen protocols implemented in the United States. We look forward to deepening this partnership as we continue to enhance our preparedness for infectious disease threats.”
During the visit, the delegation participated in immersive training sessions and discussions with Bellevue’s Special Pathogens Program team focused on special pathogen patient care, high-level isolation unit operations, and personal protective equipment protocols. The delegation also visited NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln to observe a training led by the NYC Health + Hospitals Systemwide Special Pathogen Program.
“Preparing for special pathogen outbreaks demands global partnership,” said Justin Chan, MD, Epidemiologist at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue. “Because infectious diseases do not respect national borders, only shared knowledge, trust, and coordinated action can result in robust preparedness.”
In a reciprocal effort, Bellevue’s Special Pathogens Program will send four delegates to Tokyo, Japan, in February 2026 to participate in a special pathogen training program led by the JIHS. The Bellevue team will support advanced sessions and share their experience responding to the 2014 Ebola response in New York City.
“We are honored to exchange knowledge with our colleagues from the Japan Institute for Health Security,” said Vikramjit Mukherjee, MD, Chief of Critical Care and Chief of Special Pathogens Program. “This two-way exchange not only broadens our collective understanding but also reinforces the importance of global partnership in preparing for and responding to special pathogen outbreaks.”
The international exchange is part of ongoing efforts by both institutions to build resilient, coordinated systems that can rapidly respond to HCID incidents worldwide.
Bellevue Hospital, the oldest public hospital in the United States, has a longstanding legacy in infectious disease management and plays a central role within the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) consortium, a leader in national special pathogen preparedness and response. It is a recognized leader within the National Special Pathogen System — a nationwide, tiered network of care ranging from frontline facilities to advanced treatment centers. Bellevue’s Special Pathogens Program serves as the designated 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. RESPTCs act as resource hubs, providing highly specialized care for patients suspected of, or infected by, special pathogens such as Ebola, mpox, or H5N1 bird flu.
https://www.nychealthandhospitals.or...ning-exchange/