Contact:
Jennifer Choi
Assistant Director, Media Relations
NYU Medical Center Public Affairs
212-404-3555
Email: jennifer.choi@nyumc.org

George Contreras Joins NYU Medical Center as Director of Emergency Management

NEW YORK, February 3, 2005 -- George W. Contreras has been appointed Director of Emergency Management at NYU Medical Center. In his role, he will be responsible for overseeing the function of emergency management which addresses four key phases: mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery to both an internal or external emergency. Toward that end, George will work very closely with all departments to ensure that the departments as well as the organization are in compliance with city, state and federal standards. He will also oversee training on emergency preparedness and will be responsible for the implementation of drills and exercises to ensure that all staff is familiar with the hospital and their departmental emergency response plans.

Mr. Contreras previously served at the Bureau of Emergency Management at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH). In his role as Senior Emergency Manager at DOHMH, he was responsible for the training of DOHMH staff and helping to prepare, implement, evaluate and modify emergency plans dealing with public health emergencies. Prior to working at NYC DOHMH, Mr. Contreras was employed by Columbia University School of Public Health and New York Presbyterian for nine years in administration.

Mr. Contreras earned his M.S. in Health Services Administration (with honors) from Iona College in 2002, his M.P.H. from Hunter College in 1994, and his B.A. from NYU in 1991. He is also a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Instructor certified by the Department of Justice. He has been working in the field of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) since 1993 and is also a former Director of EMS here in New York City. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Metropolitan College of New York in the M.P.A. in Emergency Management Program- the first Master’s level program in Emergency Management in New York State.

George has a diverse background with experience in the fields of hospital administration, education, public health, emergency medical services and emergency management. He also has extensive experience working with city, state, federal, and private agencies on a routine basis during emergencies.

He also possesses experience in assisting developing countries create EMS systems and emergency management plans. He has traveled to Ecuador and Kenya to conduct trainings related to EMS and emergency management. He has been working closely with the Kenyan Ministry of Health over the past four years in helping them develop a national EMS system and also develop an Emergency Management division within the Ministry of Health. George also conducts humanitarian missions to countries and assists on various health-related projects.

###