Joelle Simpson, MD, MPH, is the Chief of Emergency Medicine and Medical Director for Emergency Preparedness at Children's National Hospital in Washington DC where she provides strategic leadership for disaster preparedness, response, and community outreach efforts. She is also an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences. Dr. Simpson is an appointed member of the National Biodefense Science Board (NBSB) to provide expert advice and guidance to the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) on scientific, technical, and other matters related to public health emergency preparedness and response. She is also an appointed executive committee member of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Council on Children and Disasters. Dr. Simpson obtained her bachelor’s degree from Harvard University and received her medical and Master of Public Health degrees from The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She completed her residency training in pediatrics at Johns Hopkins and her fellowship training in pediatric emergency medicine at Children’s National.