Overview:
A spotlight on Dr. Elizabeth Greig’s presentation at Disaster Expo Miami, highlighting her work in disaster preparedness, climate resilience, and interdisciplinary healthcare systems.
Miami Beach, Florida — March 4, 2026 — Disaster preparedness and resilient healthcare systems took center stage this week at the Disaster Expo Miami, where Elizabeth Greig, M.D., delivered remarks highlighting the growing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in responding to climate-driven emergencies and public health challenges. Titled: Disaster Response for Better Long Term Health Outcomes
Dr. Greig, an Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, spoke during sessions on March 4, emphasizing how disaster preparedness increasingly requires cooperation between medicine, engineering, public health, and community organizations. Her work focuses on strengthening healthcare resilience across climate-stressed regions including South Florida, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
As Co-Director of the Global Institute for Community Health and Development at the University of Miami, Dr. Greig has been at the forefront of initiatives aimed at improving disaster response systems and community health infrastructure. Her research and field experience span hurricane response, international medical relief efforts, and public health preparedness programs designed to better equip communities facing increasingly severe environmental events.
Bridging Medicine, Engineering, and Climate Resilience
One of the distinctive aspects of Dr. Greig’s work is her dual academic appointment spanning both medicine and engineering disciplines. Her secondary role within the University of Miami’s engineering programs reflects a growing recognition that disaster resilience requires technical solutions as well as medical readiness.
This interdisciplinary approach is particularly relevant in coastal regions like South Florida, where climate-related risks — including hurricanes, flooding, and infrastructure strain — pose complex challenges for healthcare systems.
Dr. Greig’s initiatives often focus on “unorthodox partnerships,” bringing together clinicians, engineers, urban planners, and policymakers to build systems capable of responding quickly and effectively during emergencies.
Experience in Global Disaster Response
Dr. Greig’s work also extends internationally, where she has contributed to research and response efforts following major disasters. Her peer-reviewed publications include studies on medical response during Hurricane Dorian in the Bahamas as well as healthcare challenges faced by providers operating in complex humanitarian environments.
Through these efforts, she has helped highlight how disasters disproportionately impact vulnerable communities, underscoring the need for preparedness strategies that integrate healthcare access, infrastructure resilience, and community-based response networks.
Preparing the Next Generation
In addition to research and fieldwork, Dr. Greig leads educational initiatives focused on disaster preparedness and climate change. She directs interdisciplinary professional education programs designed to train future leaders across medicine, engineering, and public administration.
These programs aim to equip students and professionals with the tools necessary to respond effectively to crises that increasingly blur the lines between environmental events, public health emergencies, and infrastructure challenges.
Disaster Expo Brings Global Leaders Together
The Disaster Expo Miami, held this week at the Miami Beach Convention Center, brings together emergency management professionals, government leaders, researchers, and private-sector innovators to discuss strategies for strengthening disaster response and resilience.
Sessions throughout the event explored topics including climate resilience, emergency communications, infrastructure preparedness, and humanitarian response — highlighting the need for cross-sector collaboration in an era of increasingly complex disasters.
Dr. Greig’s presentation contributed to these discussions by emphasizing how resilient healthcare systems are a critical component of broader disaster preparedness efforts.
Looking Ahead
As climate-driven disasters continue to challenge communities worldwide, experts like Dr. Greig are working to bridge gaps between research, policy, and real-world response systems.
Her work underscores a central theme echoed throughout the expo: preparedness requires not only advanced technology and infrastructure, but also strong partnerships across disciplines and communities.
Photos from Dr. Greig’s speaking engagement at Disaster Expo Miami on March 4, 2026 were captured by Presence News and are being shared with the speaker for institutional and educational use. Taken with Nikon D3400 Camera.
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