Jeffrey S. Upperman, MD, director of the Trauma Program and Pediatric Disaster Resource and Training Center at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and associate professor of pediatric surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, has been selected to serve on the newly established National Advisory Committee on Children and Disasters (NACCD).

The NACCD was established to provide expert advice and consultation to the secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on comprehensive planning and policies to meet the unique health needs of children before, during and after a disaster or other public health emergency.

During the four-year term, Upperman and 14 other experts from the nation’s preeminent scientific, public health and medical fields will help evaluate and provide input on the needs of preparation for children in emergencies. He will also provide advice and consultation on state emergency preparedness and response activities for children, including related drills and exercises.

The HHS secretary approved Upperman’s membership. He was selected from 82 nominations. “This appointment reflects the fact that Upperman is recognized as one of the leading authorities in pediatric trauma and disaster preparedness in the nation,” said Henri R. Ford, MD, MHA, vice president and surgeon-in-chief at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. “We are fortunate to have such a talented individual lead the trauma program at CHLA and on the faculty of the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California.”

“This is the best effort yet on the federal level to focus on children and disasters,” says Upperman. “I look forward to contributing the knowledge and experience I’ve gained in my career, especially in my role at CHLA, to better prepare children and families across the country for disaster emergencies.”

— By Lorenzo Benet/CHLA