Discussion: View Thread

To: HPHSCC Members
From: HPHSCC Executive Team
Subject: Situational Awareness Bulletin – Iran and U.S. Military Operations

Dear HPHSCC Members,

HPHSCC leadership is providing this message to acknowledge heightened tensions in and around Iran and the associated public reporting regarding U.S. military operations in the region. We recognize that events of this nature can generate concern across the Healthcare and Public Health Sector, including questions about potential domestic implications, cyber activity, supply chain disruptions, and the safety and continuity of critical operations.

At this time, we have no information indicating direct, immediate impacts to U.S. healthcare delivery or public health operations. There are no sector-wide operational directives associated with this situation as of the date of this letter. However, given the dynamic nature of geopolitical events, HPHSCC is actively monitoring developments and coordinating situational awareness with relevant public-sector and private-sector partners.

What Your HPHSCC Is Doing:

·                 Monitoring credible reporting and official U.S. government communications for developments relevant to healthcare and public health.

·                 Assessing potential second-order impacts that may affect the sector (e.g., cybersecurity posture, misinformation, supply chain or logistics concerns).

·                 Sharing updates with members when information is reliable, confirmed, and appropriately vetted.

What Members Should Do Now:

While no direct impacts are identified at this time, we encourage members to take prudent, low-burden actions consistent with routine preparedness:

·                 Review internal incident reporting and escalation procedures (security, IT/cyber, extreme surge demand, operations, communications).

·                 Reinforce cybersecurity vigilance and ensure staff know how to report suspicious emails, unusual system behavior, or access anomalies.

·                 Validate continuity of operations and supply chain monitoring processes, consistent with your organization's standard posture.

·                 Ensure your public-facing communications teams are prepared to manage rumor control and refer to verified information sources.

Commitment to Timely, Verified Updates:

The HPHSCC leadership will provide additional communications as warranted. To avoid amplifying rumors or incomplete reporting, we will distribute updates only when information is confirmed and vetted through appropriate channels. If you have incident indicators, sector-relevant concerns, or situational observations that may be helpful to other members, we encourage you to share them through established HPHSCC communication pathways. 

Thank you for your continued partnership and commitment to resilience across the Healthcare and Public Health Sector.

For all questions or RFI's please email Secretariat@hphsector.org

Respectfully,

John Wierzbowski MSc., MPH, CHEP, CHPCP | Chair, US Healthcare and Public Health Sector Coordinating Council

John Wierzbowski, MSc., MPH, CHEP, CHPCP

Corporate Manager | Enterprise Business Continuity and Emergency Operations

Penn Medicine | University of Pennsylvania Health System

Strategic Advisor – SE Healthcare Coalition | 

Email: john.wierzbowski@pennmedicine.upenn.edu

 Chair | US Healthcare and Public Health Sector Coordinating Council

DISCLAIMER: This message and any attachments are intended solely for the use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is privileged, confidential, or proprietary to the Healthcare and Public Health Sector Coordinating Council (HPHSCC). Unauthorized use, disclosure, distribution, or copying of any part of this communication is strictly prohibited. The HPHSCC is a chartered 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for its role in coordinating strategic approaches to cybersecurity and physical threats to the HPH Sector under Presidential Policy Directive 21. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message.