HERC Background

HERC is a network of acute and sub-acute care hospitals, county emergency response agencies, and community disaster partners. The Coalition collaborates on planning, training and exercising for an area-wide health and/or medical response to a disaster or incident.

After the events of 9/11 and the anthrax incident in Palm Beach County the following month, the County enacted a mock drill to determine what the capabilities and gaps were in the community’s emergency response system. The drill brought together 15 hospitals, municipal and county law enforcement, EMS/fire rescue, HAZMAT, The American Red Cross, and other regional responders. The outcome revealed that individual agencies could not act alone to effectively address a disaster or public health emergency. In 2001, with support from Palm Healthcare Foundation, HERC was formed.

Operationally, HERC has a formal structure, with bylaws, specific strategic planning goals, regular meetings and scheduled activities that are planned and managed.

2023 HERC Officers

Chair: Beth Ruiz, Baptist Health South Florida
Vice Chair: Shamilla Lutchman, Florida Health PBC
Treasurer: Lisa Andrews, Delray Medical Center, Palm Beach Health Network
Secretary: MaryJo McPhail-Brown, HCA Florida JFK Hospital
Immediate Past Chair: Brenda Atkins, Wellington Regional Medical Center

Past HERC Chairs
Brenda Atkins, Wellington Regional Medical Center
Lisa Andrews, Delray Medical Center
Ashley Lee, Delray Medical Center
Rebecca Creighton, Delray Medical Center
Michael Self, VA Medical Center
Mary Russell, Boca Raton Regional Hospital
Robbin Lee, JFK Medical Center
Bill Farell, St. Mary’s Medical Center

Community Partners

Barrington Terrace at Boynton Beach
Community Home Health Services
Edgewater at Boca Pointe
First Choice Home Health, Inc.
Fivestar Homecare Boca/PSL
Interim Healthcare of the Treasure Coast
Lucienne Home Care, Inc.
Palms Wellington Surgical Center
Sanctuary Surgery Centre
Specialized Outpatient Surgery Center for Children and Adults
The Legacy at Boca Raton
UHealth Bascom Palmer Eye Institute ASC
Vi at Lakeside Village

Trusted Partners

Agency for Healthcare Administration
American Red Cross
Community Health Center of WPB
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Health (Regional and State Partners)
Florida Health Care Coalitions
Florida Hospital Association
Fresenius Medical Care
Nova Southeastern University
Palm Beach Atlantic University
Palm Beach County Medical Reserve Corps
Palm Beach County School District
Palm Health Foundation
South Florida Hospital & Healthcare Association