Mobilizing for an outbreak and its aftermath

Abstract

When the H1N1 virus ascended to national attention in April 2009, colleges and universities in the United States were thrust into the role of managing an unforeseen health crisis. While other institutions were scrambling to coordinate the appropriate crisis response to the H1N1 virus, Babson College was using the lessons it had learned during its recent Norovirus outbreak to coordinate an effective response without panic or paranoia. As novel illnesses continue to emerge in our increasingly globalized society, it is important to explore and understand how institutions respond to unanticipated health crises. Babson' s experience with the Norovirus outbreak offers valuable insight into the importance of flexible protocol, decisive decision-making, and coordinated emergency responses that include external constituents as well as internal stakeholders.