Smith, Philip

Smith begins his interview by describing his background, family connection to infectious disease, and education. He discusses his interest in infectious disease and starting private practice. He details his early career, teaching, shifting to academic medicine, and his growing interest in biopreparedness. He discusses his initial idea for the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit including visiting USAMRIID, getting initial funding, the benefits of Nebraska as a location, and choosing a space on campus. He describes his responsibilities as medical director of the NBU, staffing the unit, and research conducted during the early days of the unit. Smith discusses challenges of maintaining the unit and expectations once it was open including developing protocols, determining equipment, and conducting drills. He mentions key personnel, mentors, and the campus and wider community’s reaction to the unit’s presence. He describes his responsibilities and reflections during the unit’s inactive period, student involvement with and scholarship on the unit’s mission. Smith concludes his interview discussing his other professional interests including founding the Nebraska Infection Control Network, statewide training, long term care facilities, and working with the Center for Preparedness Education.

Smith begins his interview by describing his role as the co-director of the Center for Biosecurity, Biopreparedness, and Emerging Infectious Diseases. He discusses the Nebraska Biocontainment Unit’s activation, the selection and notification process, and goals and concerns during activation. He describes the Ebola outbreak, treatments, and other hospitals treating Ebola patients. He details the unit’s preparations for patients and the role of federal and local authorities in their arrival. Smith provides an overview of the patients, their treatments, and their direct versus indirect care. He discusses the inclusion of the IRB into the team to facilitate research and reflects on the patients’ recovery, differences, and loss. He describes communication with administration, mental health support, and concerns for the staff. Smith concludes his interview by describing drill fatigue, the Ebola virus, and cremation of infectious disease patients.

Smith begins his interview by describing checking on quarantine patients in community housing. He describes the media coverage during the NBU activation for Ebola patients, the media’s personal impact, and being a public figure. He describes the community’s reaction to the unit’s activation and the importance of a horizontal hierarchy and culture of safety. He details the shift in his responsibilities with the unit’s activation, the development of new processes, cleaning the unit upon deactivation, and publishing efforts. Smith discusses training at UNMC and in coordination with NETEC. He details the NETEC partnership and role and public sentiment at the unit’s deactivation. He reflects on awards he has received and how retirement has affected his involvement with the NBU, especially with the COVID-19 pandemic. He discusses advice for future students and poetry he wrote during his career. Smith concludes his interview by describing the disguise he wore to check on quarantine patients and reflecting on infectious disease.

Transcript of an interview with Dr. Philip Smith.

Transcript of an interview with Dr. Philip Smith.