Michael Murphy, environment of care manager for Effingham Health System, has been awarded an Emergency Management Healthcare Professional Certification.

“Mr. Murphy has demonstrated the ability to make the critical decisions needed to reduce potential threats to life and property, using an ‘all hazards’ approach to disaster management,” said Matthew Crumpton, the Department of Public Health health care community preparedness training and exercise manager. “This has been accomplished by making certain that he understands the components of the overall health care system, as well as the threats to the healthcare system and to the community.  He also understands the emergency planning process, emergency management principles and can demonstrate effective leadership during an incident.”

Murphy obtained the certification after completing 90 hours of education on preparedness and emergency management and a subsequent examination process. Norma Jean Morgan, CEO of Effingham Health System, praised his accomplishments.

“Mike Murphy is an asset to Effingham Health System and to our community,” she said. “He knows how to respond in the event of an emergency and he understands the particular challenges posed by the fact that we have patients and residents under our care.  We are fortunate to have him on our staff.  We hope we’ll never have a mass emergency, but we want the public to know that we are prepared if we do.”

Murphy has been nominated by the Georgia Health Care Association, for the Champion of Emergency Preparedness Award for his outstanding efforts in nursing home emergency preparedness and response.

For more information about emergency preparation, visit www.fema.gov.