JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – When disaster strikes, UF Health Jacksonville doesn’t hesitate to act. At the center of the hospital’s emergency response is one woman known simply as “Disaster Jen.”
“So, I’m Disaster Jen, the disaster manager. And my name is Jennifer. A couple of years ago, someone coined that nickname—and it stuck,” said Jennifer Silvey Cason, emergency preparedness manager at UF Health Jacksonville.
Disaster Jen earned her nickname through years of tireless preparation and high-pressure leadership. She’s known for being fast, focused and fearless—making sure the hospital is ready for any crisis.
“Anything related to disaster preparedness—man-made, natural, or technological—I help the hospital and all our employees prepare,” she said.
Disaster Jen recently led a large-scale mock NICU evacuation drill—one of many simulations designed to keep teams ready for real emergencies.
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“I was deployed to Fort Myers after Hurricane Ian, when Lee Health had to evacuate over 40 babies. When I came back, I asked, ‘What if this was us?’” she said. “So we took a year to plan, train, and educate—and we ran this amazing exercise.”
Beyond drills, Disaster Jen oversees the hospital’s emergency supply zone—nicknamed the “disaster dungeon.” It’s a secure storage area stocked with everything from burn kits to supplies for radiological exposure.
The 2025 hurricane season is forecast to be an active one. NOAA predicts 13 to 19 named storms, up to 10 hurricanes, and as many as five major hurricanes—Category 3 or higher.
With those numbers in mind, UF Health Jacksonville has already activated its preparedness protocols.
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“Ninety-six hours out, we’re monitoring the storm,” Disaster Jen explained. “We’re assembling leadership, activating before-and-after teams, checking that departments have the supplies they need. But honestly, we start looking at this back in December. We don’t wait until the last minute.”
As storms approach, hospital leadership makes critical decisions—whether to close clinics, shelter in place, or shift to emergency operations.
Their guide? A comprehensive emergency playbook—every step and protocol, outlined in detail.
“As Disaster Jen, my adrenaline is way up, and I love it,” she said. “I’m able to talk with county officials, get great intel, and pass it to our hospital leadership. That’s when my plans come to life.”
Does she ever get scared?
“No fear,” she replied.
When seconds matter, Disaster Jen doesn’t panic. She executes.
