In the wake of the September 11 attacks on the United States and the subsequent salting of mail with anthrax spores, MSUCOM took proactive steps to ensure that Michigan physicians and other health providers were prepared.

A continuing medical education course, open to the public as well, was held November 14 as part of National Osteopathic Medicine Week. "Anthrax, Bioterrorism: What You Have to Know," held at the Kellogg Center, attracted not only a large audience but news media as well.

Speakers included MSUCOM's Peter Gulick, DO, associate professor of internal medicine, whose presentation on bioterrorism focused primarily on anthrax and smallpox. Gulick noted that though anthrax could be deadly and that spores could remain viable in hostile environments for long periods of time, smallpox was a far worse threat because of its easy communicability. Dr. Gulick offered information on the differential diagnosis, treatment and latest research on both diseases.

Tom Waytes, MD, of BioPort Corporation, the only facility in the United States equipped to manufacture anthrax vaccine, presented scientific documentation on the vaccine's effectiveness and safety.

"We believed it was vital for the college to offer this opportunity to physicians, nurses, EMTs and other health care providers who might be called upon to recognize and treat the victims of bioterrorism," said Pam Thompson, director of CME. "It was, we thought, one of the best contributions MSUCOM could make in the aftermath of this national tragedy."