Senator Robach recently  announced $500,000 in state funding to support the education, training and research efforts of the Academic Health Center Consortium (AHCC).

The AHCC was officially launched in October, 2006 with the announcement of $750,000 in state funding. The consortium is headquartered at the University of Rochester Medical Center and Dr. Glenn Currier, associate professor of psychiatry and emergency medicine, serves as the director. Members have been conducting research in the diagnosis and treatment of terrorism-related illness and injury, with an emphasis on using technology to streamline and triage care for hundreds of patients who could be simultaneously injured during mass-casualty events.

"One of my top priorities has always been the personal safety of our community members and I am happy to announce my continued support for the AHCC," said Senator Robach. "This state funding will better protect Upstate New York by ensuring that our hospitals have the capacity to detect and respond to public health emergencies."

Entering its third year of funding through the efforts of the New York State Senate, the program is administered by the New York State Department of Health. Over the past two years, an ambitious agenda of research and training has been accomplished or is underway.

"Joe Robach has been a terrific advocate for strong preparedness planning in the Upstate New York. The ongoing success of the AHCC has been largely attributable to his vision of what a unique group such as this could accomplish," said Dr. Glenn Currier.