CoreNet forum puts the focus on pandemic planning.

With government agencies and world health organizations citing the need to plan as "critical", CoreNet Global New York City Chapter, the premier association for corporate real estate and workplace professionals, is taking a strong leadership position with regard to disseminating information on pandemic planning.

The NYC Chapter will host a breakfast, open to the real estate industry at large, on Wednesday, September 13 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel that will present the healthcare planning, medical and business continuity points of view on effective measures companies can implement to minimize the effects of a possible Avian flu outbreak.

"Pandemic planning is a complex challenge which is being addressed with a heightened sense of urgency by corporate real estate and human resources professionals," said Suzanne Heidel-berger, director of real estate for Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom and 2006-07 chair of CoreNet Global NYC Chapter.

"With our Chapter's focus on serving as a primary source of professional knowledge, presenting current information on this topic became our own highest priority."

The September 13 event, entitled "Preparing for a Potential Avian Flu Pandemic", will feature four speakers: Dr. Avram Nemetz, medical director, Affiliated Physicians; Jeffrey A. Kraut, senior vice president, Strategic Planning and Marketing, North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System; and Daniel Gonnella and Patrick Alesi, both of whom are vice presidents and co-managers of Business Continuity Planning for Lehman Brothers. Peter Tuffey, director of security, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, will moderate.

Avram Nemetz, MD, has been providing top quality health care to New York City's corporate community for over 15 years. During his tenure, he has led Affiliated Physicians' response to many corporate medical emergencies including tuberculosis outbreaks and anthrax scares. A native of the city, Dr. Nemetz is a graduate of Cornell University and the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. His presentation will present a concise tutorial on the influenza virus, what it does, how it changes and develops, and why there is such concern about the H5N1 Avian flu virus.

The North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System, for which Jeffrey Kraut coordinates strategic planning and marketing activities, is the third largest secular health system in the country. Kraut was formerly vice president for Planning and Policy at the State University Health Science at Brooklyn and held management consulting positions in the Health Care Strategy Development Group at KPMG Peat Marwick and RMR Health Management Consultants, Inc. Patrick Alesi has served as Lehman Brothers vice president and co-man ager of Business Continuity Planning since March 2002, but had previously worked for Lehman on its business continuity plans as assistant vice president from 1997-2000.

Daniel Gonnella has been working in the financial sector since 1982. He has been with Lehman since November 1996 when he joined the firm's Global Technology Risk Management group to manage the development of a disaster recovery plan. He also had responsibility for operational management of the Global Technology Help Desk.

The CoreNet pandemic planning program at the Grand Hyatt Hotel, 42nd Street and Lexington Avenue, Ballroom E, begins at 8:00 AM with registration, networking and continental breakfast. Presentations will be held from 9:00-10:30 a.m, followed by a half hour of questions and discussion.

Costs are $45 for CoreNet end user members; $55 for end user nonmembers; $75 for all other CoreNet members; and $100 for all other nonmembers.

If space is available, there will be an additional $20 charge at the door for those without reservations.

Reservations may be made with a credit card online at www.corenetglobalnyc.org. P: [phone] Email info@corenet globalnyc.org