December 3, 2002 — Colleen Connelly, R.N., a mass casualty specialist in the emergency department at University of Utah Hospital, has been named emergency manager for the University Hospitals & Clinics and health sciences center.

“We are fortunate to have someone with Colleen’s expertise and background. She brings considerable technical and management experience as well as energy and enthusiasm to the position,” said Linda K. Amos, Ed.D., F.A.A.N., associate vice president for health sciences. “The health sciences center, and University Hospital in particular, will benefit greatly from her experience and leadership.”

Connelly will develop and implement organization-wide emergency management and hazardous materials and waste management programs. Her responsibilities will range from education and training of employees on issues of weapons of mass destruction and hazardous materials, to establishing incident response, updating hospital emergency and evacuation plans, acquiring and maintaining essential equipment and directing emergency preparedness drills.

“Colleen’s knowledge of University Hospital will be invaluable as she leads us to the next level of readiness in our emergency preparedness planning,” said Dan Lundergan, associate administrator, U of U Hospitals & Clinics. Connelly is the hospital representative for the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and will represent the University hospitals and health sciences center in many other emergency management partnerships, including work with the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile, the Utah State Department of Epidemiology, the Utah Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, Tooele Army Depot, Dugway Proving Grounds, and national security agencies.

Connelly received a bachelor of science degree in nursing from West Virginia University, Morgantown, W.V., in 1996, with a minor in military science. She began her career as a staff nurse at WOMACK Army Medical Center, Fayetteville, N.C., in 1997 and then became an emergency department charge nurse there. She joined the U Hospital Emergency Department in 2001. She is certified in the Flight Nurse Advance Trauma Course and as a trainer for the Tactical Emergency Responder Course.

In 2000, she was honored as Emergency Nurse of the year for WOMACK Army Medical Center and was selected staff member for July in University Hospital’s Emergency Department.