UGA Institute for Disaster Management

Welcoming our students, new and returning, with open arms today!! 🤗

"In my time at the UGA Institute for Disaster Management, I will always remember the faculty and staff that supported us every step of the way. Students’ inputs were always taken into account from class design to internships," said recent IDM graduate, Alex Kaye.

At IDM, we pride ourselves on a low faculty-to-student ratio, allowing us to develop individual relationships with students and tailor curriculum to their interests.

"If we expressed interest in a topic, faculty would do their best to work it into our curriculum. If we wanted to garner more experience, they were quick to reach out for organizations willing to take on students," said Alex.

Alex, we wish you the very best going forward into what will be an amazing and fulfilling career in disaster management.

Please help us welcome the newest member of our team, Faith Virgins. Faith joined us as an Administrative Specialist, primarily providing support on the CNA Virtual Skills Evaluation Program. Welcome to the team, Faith! 🎊

Gabrielle Henderson has perfected the art of combining passions.

With a background in veterinary medicine AND disaster management, Henderson found the perfect internship opportunity at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine in the Safety and Compliance Department of the Veterinary Teaching Hospital. While there, she has been actively enhancing emergency preparedness and response to tornadoes and severe weather events while considering the safety and welfare of animals and humans alike.

Pictured, Henderson recently had the opportunity to present a lecture on "Preparing for Emergency Events in a Veterinary Hospital" with her site supervisor.

What a privilege to speak to this year's cohort of Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders at UGA. This group of civic leaders, health professionals, activists, and entrepreneurs are truly outstanding. We loved getting to hear their perspectives on disaster management and public health infrastructure in their communities.



UGA Fanning Institute for Leadership
African Studies Institute - UGA
Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders

"I began my studies at UGA’s Institute for Disaster Management (IDM) immediately after completing a Music Performance degree. Prior to starting at UGA, I was very uncertain about how I would fare in the fields of Public Health and Disaster Management due to what felt like a complete lack of experience or education in the fields. However, IDM immediately welcomed me and my cohort with open arms. We were provided a level of education and support that was beyond expectations," said IDM alumni, William Clark.

Now a Business Continuity Coordinator at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Clark feels well prepared to accomplish great things in his new position, crediting IDM faculty for his confidence.

"As I begin my career in the field of Disaster Management, I am quickly realizing just how well the IDM faculty prepared me. While my program only lasted 2 years, it left me with the tools and skills needed for a lifelong career in Disaster Management."

Listen, we know you love Glen Powell, but please don't try anything you see in the new 🙏🌪️

"In the world of crisis, risk, and disaster communication, effective communication is often the difference between success and failure." Learn how UGA is leading the way in preparing the next generation of emergency communicators. 📣

https://shorturl.at/B20FA |

IDM wishes you a happy and safe 4th of July! 🎆

This summer, Pooja Patel is enjoying an internship with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources in their Environmental Radiation Program. She recently had the opportunity to tour Plant Bellefonte! 🔋🌍☢️

"I am beyond thankful for this opportunity to learn more about nuclear energy and radiation emergency preparedness and help make Georgia a safer community while utilizing nuclear power," says Pooja.

It's Pet Preparedness Month, and we will do anything to keep our fur babies safe! Check out some pet preparedness tips from the IDM community and their loved ones 🤎🐾

It was an absolute pleasure to have the UGA-Foothills AHEC Health Careers Youth Conference visit IDM last week! The future of public health is in good hands 😊

Foothills AHEC

Happy National Certified Nursing Assistant Week! Learn more about what IDM is doing to support the CNA workforce in Georgia below 💻🩺💙

CNA Virtual Skills Evaluation Program Overview The CNA Virtual Skills Evaluation Program was developed to increase and support the CNA workforce in Georgia. We are revolutionizing the skills testing proce...

We are excited to share the new Graduate Certificate in Crisis, Risk, and Disaster Communication!

The interdisciplinary certificate is a collaborative effort with the UGA Crisis Communication Think Tank at Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Georgia, the Risk Management and Insurance- The University of Georgia at the Terry College of Business, and Institute for Disaster Management at the UGA College of Public Health

Read more here: idm.publichealth.uga.edu/crdc/

IDM in the ATL! Makayla is rockin' it at her summer internship with the Atlanta-Fulton County Emergency Management Agency (AFCEMA)🚀

The IDM team is keeping busy this summer with our Community Health Worker (CHW) Training Courses. Join us for our next Emergency Preparedness course on June 12th & 13th! ⭐



Georgia Department of Public Health
APHA Community Health Workers Section
National Association of Community Health Workers
Georgia Watch

The Disaster Management Mantra🔄

IDM: Redefining "experiential learning" since 2005.

June 1st marks the beginning of the 2024 Hurricane Season. Scientists have predicted an above-normal season with 17-25 named storms (up from 12-17 predicted in 2023) due to warmer than average ocean temperatures. It is critical that at-risk populations not only understand the risk, but take steps to prepare.🌀☔

📸 Photos from the Georgia Medical Support Shelter Tabletop Exercise earlier this month.

This we're talking Disaster Mental Health- what it is, why it's important, and what IDM is doing about it. Reminder- everyone, including responders, reacts to stress differently. It's normal, and it's good to talk about it! Swipe to learn more 🧠💟

Monday scaries got us like 🤒

Still not over graduation last week 🎓🥰

Things got a little messy at IDM last week...

*Disaster exercise simulated for training purposes only*

HUGE congratulations to all our graduates today! We cannot wait to see the amazing things you go on to do ❤️🎉

IDM is hiring an Administrative Specialist! 💼💻
Apply here: https://www.ugajobsearch.com/postings/371758

IDM knows how to yee haw, y'all! Thank you to everyone who came out to our Spring Cook Out last week ❤️🤠

Last week, undergraduate students from Dr. Ritchie's DMAN 3200: Disaster Policy class hosted the 2nd annual Stakeholder Summit. These future leaders did a great job!

Each student proposed a mitigation strategy for the most common hazards facing UGA's campus and community, from flooding and tornadoes to roadway collisions and infectious disease outbreaks.

Presentations included comprehensive analyses which explored the benefits, costs, and implementation processes of the proposed mitigation strategies.

Representatives from UGA IDM, UGA Office of Emergency Preparedness, and UGA Office of Sustainability joined the event to contribute their insights and engage in fruitful discussions.

*All injuries are simulated for training purposes only*

Last week, several Athens-Clarke County community partners took part in a full-scale emergency exercise at the AHN - Athens-Ben Epps Airport The exercise, led by the amazing Kelli McCarthy in collaboration with the UGA Office of Emergency Preparedness, was an incredible opportunity for multiple agencies and first responders to drill their emergency response capabilities and practice interdepartmental collaboration.

"This is just one recent example of how Athens-Clarke County and the University of Georgia collaborate to better serve our residents," said Athens-Clarke County, GA Unified Government.

University of Georgia

Reflecting on - IDM's 6 session speakers, including Alyssa Ragan, Dr. Curt Harris, Jim Zerylnick, Dr. Morgan Taylor, Kelli McCarthy, and Dr. Patrick O'Neal, delved into CMS CMP-funded initiatives, EMS workforce barriers, and the Southern Regional Disaster Response System.

A huge shoutout to our outstanding graduate students who supported conference operations and helped run our exhibitor booth!

Looking forward to next year! 🌟