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Join emergency and disaster experts, Erinn Skiba and Donna Tope as they share valuable tools and resources on preparing for emergencies in health care facilities!
In the face of emergencies and disasters, food and nutrition professionals play a critical role in maintaining the health and well-being of those they serve. This webinar will provide practical strategies for preparing and responding to emergency situations.
Participants will learn about the various national, state and federal regulations for compliance, how to identify potential threats that may impact food and nutrition services, tips on how to develop and implement comprehensive emergency plans including strategies for managing operations without power, gas, or water to ensure food safety and security, and address the nutritional needs of vulnerable populations.
Presenters will offer valuable tools and resources available for emergency preparedness and explore best practices for planning and preparing meals during emergencies.
This session is designed to empower you with actionable insights and practical tools to confidently prepare for, navigate and overcome challenges during emergencies.
After completing this continuing education course the learner should be able to:
- Identify national, state and local legislation, regulations, and practice standards.
- Recognize potential emergency and disaster risks specific to your area.
- Obtain resources to help develop, implement, and adhere to policies and procedures to optimize food and water safety.
- Discuss methods to communicate disaster planning protocols and policies.
This course is intended for: RDNs, NDTRs and CDMs
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Food and Nutrition Professionals awards 1.25 CPEUs in accordance with the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s CPEU Prior Approval Program for the Live Webinar.
CDR Activity Number: 187516 Activity Type: Live Webinar 172 (expires March 3, 2026)
OR
Emergency and Disaster Preparedness for Food and Nutrition Professionals awards 1.25 CPEUs in accordance with the Commission on Dietetic Registration’s CPEU Prior Approval Program for the Enduring (recorded) Webinar.
CDR Activity Number: 187517 Activity Type: Enduring Activity 741 (expires March 12, 2028)
Suggested Performance Indicators:
- 1.2.2 Keeps abreast of and complies with national, state and local legislation, regulations, and practice standards.
- 8.2.1 Applies knowledge of biological, environmental, physical or chemical properties that may cause food and water to be unsafe for human consumption.
- 8.2.5 Develops, implements, and adheres to policies and procedures to optimize food and water safety.
- 8.2.8 Develops and communicates disaster planning protocols and policies.
Note: Numerous other Performance Indicators may apply.
Certified Dietary Managers: Please see our Professional Approvals page for information on how to self-report your CE hours to the Certifying Board for Dietary Managers.
Donna Tope, MBA, MSHA
Donna Tope, MBA, MSHA is the Vice President of Operations at Tampa General Hospital, a private not-for-profit teaching hospital with 981 licensed beds and the clinical partner for the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. Key components of this role include oversight of a $63 million estimated operating budget, responsibility for approximately 900 team members with six direct leadership reports and oversight of 11 unique departments (including food and nutrition services) within hospital operations. Through this scope, Donna focuses on driving strategic imperatives and operational results, developing interdepartmental relationships with clinical leadership, and engaging and empowering her front-line team. She is a solutions-oriented leader that pushes her team to leverage innovation and to foster a culture of inclusion and resiliency.
Donna has been with Tampa General Hospital since 2014 and began her career as their 2014-2015 Administrative Fellow. She moved into a leadership role within the Support Services department working directly under the senior vice president of the area and has continued to grow within the organization. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration from Auburn University, Master of Science in Health Administration and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Disclosures: Donna discloses that she is an employee at Tampa General Hospital, however, she has confirmed no conflict of interest exists for this program.
Erinn Skiba
Erinn is Senior Director of Public Safety, Tampa General Hospital (TGH). In this role, she plans, develops directs and monitors system-wide activities related to Public Safety – which includes Security, Emergency Management and Transportation and Courier Services for TGH Enterprise and all future growth. The current scope of responsibility includes 6 hospitals, 3 freestanding Emergency Departments, nearly 200 ambulatory locations.
Erinn is responsible for all safety and security protocols to include, but not limited to workplace violence, facility security and executive security as needed. She assists with overseeing the complex public safety team to include armed and unarmed officers as well as a K-9 team, and weapon detection capabilities. In this role, Erinn has oversite of the emergency management program for the hospital system, to include preparedness, planning, mitigation, response and recovery to both internal and external emergency events. She coordinates disaster planning efforts for the organization, and with Local and County Office of Emergency Management, fire officials, law enforcement, and public health at local, county, regional and state level. She is also responsible for oversight of all transportation services to include the system-wide fleet, busing operations, valet, and courier services to meet the needs of the enterprise.
Lastly, Erinn works closely with numerous community partners to collaborate with the goal of improving safety, security, and emergency coordination and response between the community and TGH.
Disclosures: Errin discloses that she is an employee at Tampa General Hospital, however, she has confirmed no conflict of interest exists for this program.
