On this episode of Transmission Interrupted, host Jill Morgan sits down with Dr. John Horton, Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs for Gynecology and Obstetrics at Emory, to explore one of the most challenging intersections in healthcare: special pathogens and pregnancy. From emerging threats like Ebola and Marburg to familiar concerns like measles and chickenpox, they dive deep into what makes caring for pregnant patients so uniquely complex in the face of infectious diseases.

Join us for a candid and insightful conversation on the evolving best practices for labor and delivery in high-risk situations. Dr. Horton shares lessons learned on the front lines, why compassion and humanity matter as much as protocol, and practical advice on infection prevention, disaster drills, and protecting both patients and healthcare workers.

Whether you’re in obstetrics, infectious disease, emergency preparedness, or just curious about what makes pregnancy and pathogens such a tough clinical challenge, this episode is packed with fresh insights and actionable takeaways.

GuestJohn Patrick Horton, MD, MBA

Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs

Gynecology and Obstetrics Department

Emory University

Dr. John Horton is the Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs for Emory University’s Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. He also serves as Emory Healthcare’s Division Director for General Gynecology and Obstetrics, and Interim Operations Director for the Gynecologic Specialties Division. Additionally, Dr. Horton is the Director of the Obstetric Rapid Response Team at Emory Healthcare and is Associate Professor at the Emory University School of Medicine Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 

Host

Jill Morgan, RN

Emory Healthcare

Jill Morgan is a registered nurse and a subject matter expert in personal protective equipment (PPE) for NETEC. For 35 years, Jill has been an emergency department and critical care nurse, and now splits her time between education for NETEC and clinical research, most of it centering around infection prevention and personal protective equipment. She is a member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), ASTM International, and the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI).

Resources

• NETEC:https://netec.org
• NETEC Resource Library:https://repository.netecweb.org/
• NETEC YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@TheNETEC
• NETEC Newsletter:https://netec.org/newsletter-sign-up/
• Transmission Interrupted:https://netec.org/podcast/

About NETECA Partnership for Preparedness

The National Emerging Special Pathogens Training and Education Center’s mission is to set the gold standard for special pathogen preparedness and response across health systems in the U.S. with the goals of driving best practices, closing knowledge gaps, and developing innovative resources.

Our vision is a sustainable infrastructure and culture of readiness for managing suspected and confirmed special pathogen incidents across the United States public health and health care delivery systems.

For more information visit NETEC on the web at www.netec.org.

NETEC Consultation Services

Assess and Advance Your Readiness for Special Pathogens with Free, Expert Consulting.

NETEC offers free virtual and onsite readiness consulting to help health care facilities and EMS agencies prepare for special pathogen events. Our targeted support services are delivered by experts selected and assigned to each inquiry based on the unique needs of your organization. Have a question? Ask a NETEC expert.

For more information visit: netec.org/consulting-services.