PAMC is the only hospital in Alaska recognized for its vital role to provide high-quality care to patients with high-consequence infectious diseases
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Providence Alaska Medical Center (PAMC) received a $430,000 national grant recognizing its critical role in preparing for and responding to infectious diseases, further enhancing the state’s ability to address emerging public health threats.
PAMC is the only hospital in Alaska and one of only 54 nationwide to receive the grant, which will be used to enhance the hospital’s capabilities to perform as a Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Center. This grant also recognizes Providence Alaska’s vital role in the National Special Pathogen System, a tiered framework that ensures safe, high-quality care across the U.S. during high-consequence infectious disease outbreaks.
“This grant is essential given PAMC’s vast service area and its role as a primary destination for providing advanced care to patients with infectious diseases,” said Kristen Solana Walkinshaw, M.D., chief medical officer of Providence Alaska. “International travelers, seasonal workers, and Alaskans returning from outbreak areas can introduce new infectious diseases, making a comprehensive and well‑coordinated response essential. Care can be further complicated by limited access to care in remote communities.”
Funding is provided through the National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center’s (NETEC) Special Pathogen Treatment, Assessment, and Network Development (STAND) Award. The center is recognized as the nation’s leading authority on preparedness and response for high‑consequence infectious diseases.
PAMC’s infrastructure, experience, and strategic location make it uniquely suited to serve as a Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Center, ensuring access to heightened care for residents and visitors alike. Due to the challenges of health care travel from Alaska, confirmed or suspected HCID patients are unlikely to be transferred out of the state. As such, strengthening this preparedness capability within the state becomes critical.
Selected through a competitive review process, the STAND Award recipients are hospitals and health systems dedicated to advancing special pathogen preparedness. This award will support efforts to expand access to specialized care and strengthen readiness through activities such as:
— Hands‑on training for frontline caregivers to ensure safe, expert care for patients with emerging or highly infectious diseases.
— Diagnostic equipment upgrades, such as Intensive Care Unit ultrasound and rapid‑testing lab tools, to speed identification and treatment.
— Communication and protective equipment enhancements for teams caring for patients with high-consequence infectious disease.
— Waste‑sterilization systems improvements to safely manage contaminated materials.
Additionally, an HCID program consultant will perform a comprehensive review of plans and procedures, organize workshops to engage frontline caregivers, and test PAMC’s high‑consequence infectious disease plans in coordination with EMS, the Alaska Department of Health, and hospitals statewide.
Throughout the award period, NETEC, in collaboration with the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Centers, will provide ongoing technical assistance, training and verification support to help recipients meet Level 2 Special Pathogen Treatment Center standards.
###
About Providence Alaska Medical Center
Providence Alaska Medical Center, a nationally recognized trauma center and Alaska’s only Magnet hospital, is part of Providence, a not-for-profit network of hospitals, care centers, health plans, physicians, clinics, home health services, affiliated services and educational facilities. For more information, visit providence.org/locations/ak/alaska-medical-center.
About NETEC
The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center (NETEC) is the nation’s leader in special pathogen preparedness and response. Established in 2015 and funded By the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), NETEC is led by a consortium of Emory University, the University of Nebraska Medical Center/Nebraska Medicine, and NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, in partnership with the Regional Emerging Special Pathogen Treatment Center network. As the Coordinating Body for the National Special Pathogen System, NETEC advances national health security through training, assessments, consultative services, research and evidence-based best practices. Learn more at netec.org.
About the Author
More Content by Providence News Team
