Historical Narrative

Cruise Industry Institute

​

In 1988, The Center for Hospitality Management at Nova University, under the direction of Professor Donal A. Dermody, implemented the first sustained cruise operations course at a Florida university. The course attracted an average of 18 students per term.

 

At this time, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention was initiating a seminar program for cruise ships. Professor Dermody initiated contact with Capt. Thomas Hunt, Chief, USPSH-VSP, in Miami, with a view to assisting the seminar program. Capt. Hunt suggested that Professor Dermody forward his offer to Dr. Vernon Hauck and the Assistant Surgeon General. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Hauck authorized The Center for Hospitality Management to assist the VSP in implementing the seminar program.

 

 The Center for Hospitality Management created an entity called the Cruise Industry Institute which, in turn, entered into a relationship with USPHS - CDC in March 1989. At the time, CII became involved, there were approximately 89 annual cruise ship inspections taking place, with only 53.8% of the ships actually obtaining a passing grade of 86 or better.  The rest is history.  On February 2, 1994, Dr. Stephen Thacker, M.D., M.Sc. then Assistant Surgeon General and Acting Director of the National Center for Environmental Health, stated at a public meeting “this was largely due to the diligent efforts of Dean Donal A. Dermody and his staff in coordinating these seminars”.