What inspires an RN to lead national infection prevention efforts? In this episode, Kelly Holmes welcomes 2026 APIC President Kathy Ward to share her journey from bedside support to infection prevention powerhouse. Hear how mentors shaped her career, what she envisions for the future of IPC, her advice for rising leaders, and her vision for APIC in 2026! Hosted by: Kelly Holmes About our Guest: Kathy Ward, 2026 APIC President Kathy Ward has been an Infection Preventionist for more than 20 years. She is currently an Infection Preventionist, Team Lead, at Roper St. Francis Healthcare in Charleston, SC. As a member of APIC-Palmetto Chapter, she has served as President, President-Elect, Program Chair and Co-chair as well as member and Chair of Governmental Affairs. Currently, she is a member of the SC Healthcare Infections Disclosure Advisory Council and has served as Chair of the APIC Palmetto LASIC. Kathy has also served at the National level as Member/Chair of Nominating and Awards Committee, Board of Directors in addition to Member and Chair of Practice Guidance Committee.

How does strong infection prevention leadership reshape long-term care? In this episode, host Lerenza Howard sits down with Tiberius Stanescu, RN, CIC, LTC-CIP, to explore how certification, regulation, and national standards are elevating care for older adults. Hear how Canada's approach is informing global best practices—and what long-term care teams around the world can learn from it.

Hosted by:

Lerenza L. Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guest:

Tiberius Stanescu, RN, CIC, LTC-CIP

Tiberius Stanescu is a globally educated Registered Nurse with diverse clinical background spanning multiple medical specialties. He began his nursing career in 2000, specializing in operating room procedures and plastic and reconstructive surgery, before discovering a deep passion for long-term care. His leadership in this field led him to serve as Assistant Director of Care and director of nursing role, where he furthered his expertise in infection prevention and wound management.

In 2015, Tiberius joined the Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) team at Scarborough Health Network and earned his Certification in Infection Control (CIC) in 2018. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he played a pivotal role in the IPAC hub, reaffirming his commitment to long-term care.

Tiberius has contributed significantly to the field through his involvement with the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC), helping to develop the Long-Term Care Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP) exam. He serves as Chair of IPAC Canada's Long-Term Care Interest Group, underscoring his dedication to advancing infection prevention standards and enhancing care quality in long-term care settings.

What are the biggest infection prevention challenges we face today? In this special episode of the Five Second Rule, co-hosts Lerenza Howard and Kelly Holmes sit down with APIC's CEO Devin Jopp to discuss misinformation, federal policy shifts, IFU reform, global partnerships, and the vital role IPs play in public health. Hear why your voice matters more than ever in shaping the future of infection prevention.

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza L. Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guest:

Devin Jopp, EdD, MS

Dr. Jopp joined APIC as CEO on December 7, 2020. He brings to APIC more than two decades of association leadership with a wide array of experience and accomplishments from across the healthcare and nonprofit sectors. He has been recognized as one of the top 100 most influential healthcare leaders by Healthcare Management International Magazine and one of the top 50 healthcare IT experts by Health Data Management Magazine.

Prior to APIC, he served as CEO for the American College Health Association, the principal leadership organization for advancing the health and well-being of the nation's 20 million college students and their campus communities through advocacy, education, and research. He has also previously served as president and CEO for the Workgroup for Electronic Data Interchange (WEDI), a national nonprofit advisor to the Secretary of Health and Human Services focused on enhancing the exchange of healthcare information. Before joining WEDI, he served as chief operating officer for the Service Corp of Retired Executives, a national nonprofit organization that provides business mentoring and training to American entrepreneurs. Earlier in his career, Dr. Jopp held leadership positions at URAC, an independent, nonprofit healthcare accreditation organization, and at the Health Insurance Association of America.

Dr. Jopp received a Bachelor of Arts in computer information systems from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland, a Master of Science in computer and information sciences from Hood College, and a Doctor of Education in human and organizational learning (EdD) from the George Washington University.

Curious how you can shape the future of IPC research? The APIC Research Network (ARN) makes it easy — with free membership, mentorship, and resources to help you learn, publish, and collaborate. Hear from Becca Crapanzano-Sigafoos and Sara Reese as they share how ARN is shaping global research, amplifying IP voices, and creating new opportunities for growth.

Learn more about the ARN as well as how to join: https://apic.org/apic-research-network

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza L. Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guests:

Rebecca (Becca) Crapanzano-Sigafoos, DrPH, CIC, FAPIC

Rebecca (Becca) Crapanzano-Sigafoos, DrPH, CIC, FAPIC is the Executive Director of APIC's Center for Research, Practice, and Innovation (CRPI).

She received both her BS in Public Health, Health Education and her MPH in Epidemiology from East TN State University. She completed her Doctorate in Public Health in 2021. She has been CIC certified since 2008 and is an APIC fellow.

Most notably, though, Becca is the mother of six amazing daughters, ages 11-28.

Sara Reese, PhD, MPH, CIC, AL-CIP, FAPIC

Sara Reese is the Director of Research at APIC's Center for Research, Practice and Innovation (CRPI) with extensive experience in infection prevention leadership across major healthcare systems including Intermountain Health, Swedish Medical Center, and Denver Health.

She has led pandemic response efforts, driven healthcare-associated infection reduction initiatives, and contributed to the field through mentorship, publications, and national conference presentations.

She received her Bachelor's of Science and PhD in Microbiology at Colorado State University and her MPH at Colorado School of Public Health. In her spare time, she tries to keep up with her 14- and 10-year-old boys!

How are infection preventionists gearing up for IIPW 2025? In this episode, co-hosts Lerenza Howard and Kelly Holmes welcome guests from APIC's Communications Committee Michelle Swetky and Tammy Cunningham who share creative tools, engaging activities, and superhero-inspired themes to unite and empower IPs. Join us and Stand UPPP — Unite, Prevent, Protect, Prevail — for infection prevention!

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guests:

Tammy Cunningham, MBA, BSN RN, CIC

Tammy Cunningham, MBA, BSN RN, CIC, is the Infection Prevention Manager at AdventHealth Kansas City Region, overseeing the Infection Prevention programs at three acute care hospitals and two free standing Emergency Departments. She worked as an Intensive Care nurse and Neonatal Intensive Care nurse until 2019 when she began her career in infection prevention, just in time for the worldwide pandemic.

Tammy is active in the Greater Kansas City APIC chapter, having served two terms as the chapter Treasurer, and is currently a member of the APIC Communications Committee.

Tammy is board certified in infection control, and is passionate about preventing infections in patients, especially CAUTIs, CLABSIs, and C. difficile infections.

Michelle Swetky, MPH, CIC, FAPIC

Michelle Swetky, MPH, CIC, FAPIC, is an Infection Preventionist at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, WA. Michelle has a decade of infection prevention experience in acute and ambulatory care, with extensive experience in an oncology setting. She is passionate about expanding the field of infection prevention into the ambulatory setting and across the continuum of care.

Michelle has served as the Chairman of Comprehensive Cancer Center's Infection Prevention & Control group (C3IC) from 2021-2023 and is a current member on the APIC Communications Committee.

Michelle received her Master's in Public Health from the University of Michigan. She has been certified in infection prevention and control (CIC) since 2016 and became an APIC Fellow (FAPIC) in 2023.

What do therapy dogs and data-driven strategies have in common? They're both helping to move the needle on patient safety. In this APIC 2025 Annual Conference recap, hosts Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard spotlight two infection prevention pros. Maria Vacca shares how her hospital centralized high-level disinfection to boost safety and efficiency. Later in the episode, Rachel Hyatt unveils a heartwarming initiative that taps into the charm of therapy dogs to revolutionize hand hygiene compliance.

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza L. Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guests:

Maria Vacca

Maria earned her BSN and Masters of Science in Nursing from Drexel University, graduating Summa cum Laude for both degrees. She began her nursing career in Critical Care and transitioned to the Infection Control Department in 2004 when Infection Prevention and Control quickly became her passion.

Over the course of her career, she's had the opportunity to provide oversight and obtain experience in numerous Infection Control roles including High Level Disinfection and Sterilization, Infection Prevention oversight of Ambulatory Practices and Regulatory Compliance Coordinator. Maria's Lean Six Sigma training helped her lead numerous successful performance improvement projects for which her teams have won several awards, presentations and publications.

She was the principle investigator for a Covid-19 research study that was published in the June 2022 issue of AJIC. Maria received recognition as a APIC Fellow (FAPIC) in 2022. Maria and colleagues successfully submitted a poster presentation to APIC's 2025 Annual conference titled "From Decentralized to Centralized: Successfully Transforming High-Level Disinfection Practices in the Operating Room of a Large Academic Hospital."

Rachel Hyatt

Rachel Hyatt is a Community Health Specialist with a Masters in Business Administration. She driven by a passion for innovation and process improvement.

As an Administrative Assistant with Infection Prevention for over two years, Rachel coordinated large-scale initiatives, from accreditation surveys to system-wide health campaigns. Her diverse experience in customer service, animal control, and zookeeping has given her a unique lens on behavior, shaping her approach to public education and engagement.

Her ability to merge strategic planning with creativity fuels her mission to develop engaging, effective solutions in healthcare and community wellness. She is passionate about leveraging innovative ideas and interactive outreach to inspire lasting, positive change.

Rachel successfully submitted an oral abstract presentation to APIC's 2025 Annual conference titled "Wash Your Paws: Using Creative Canine Marketing and Therapy Dogs to Promote Hand Hygiene Compliance."

Want to elevate your infection prevention career? Dive into this inspiring episode with Gail Fraine and Dr. Mayar Al Mohajer as they explore the value, purpose, and impact of the Advanced Leadership Certification in Infection Prevention (AL-CIP). Learn how this credential empowers professionals to lead change, drive outcomes, and shape healthcare policy. Get tips for submission success and hear firsthand experiences from these certified leaders!

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza L. Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guests:

Gail Fraine, CIC, LTC-CIP, AL-CIP

Gail Fraine is the System Director of Infection Prevention at Ascension Saint Thomas in Nashville, TN, with over 30 years of experience reducing healthcare-associated infections through evidence-based practices and high-reliability principles. A long-standing APIC member, she has held national leadership roles including Board Director and Annual Conference Chair.

Gail currently serves as President-Elect of the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology (CBIC) and contributed to developing both the long-term care and Advanced Leadership certifications. She holds nursing degrees from Arkansas State, Belmont, and Vanderbilt, and is certified in CIC, LTC-CIP, and AL-CIP.

Mayar Al Mohajer, FIDSA, FSHEA, FAPIC, FACHE, AL-CIP

Dr. Al Mohajer serves as Professor of Medicine in the Section of Infectious Diseases at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas, where he also directs the Infection Prevention, Antimicrobial Stewardship, Quality Improvement, and Leadership Track.

He is the Chief of the Infectious Disease Section at Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center and the Medical Director of Infection Prevention, Occupational Health, Diagnostic Stewardship, and Antibiotic Stewardship for CommonSpirit Health's South Region and Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center.

In addition to his clinical and academic roles, Dr. Al Mohajer sits on the CBIC Board and co-chairs the National Infection Prevention Council for CommonSpirit Health. He holds multiple fellowships and certifications recognizing his expertise and leadership, including FIDSA, FSHEA, FAPIC, FACHE, and AL-CIP.

Are you ready for measles to walk through your doors? In this episode of the 5 Second Rule, hosts Kelly and Lerenza talk with experts Tiffany Dogan and Pam Falk about the measles resurgence in the U.S., response strategies, and how infection preventionists can act fast. Discover powerful tools like the APIC measles playbook and the updated APIC Text Chapter, plus real-life stories, insights, and frontline tips to keep your team informed and ready.

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza L. Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guests:

Pamela Falk, MPH, CIC, FSHEA, FAPIC

Pam Falk is President of Pamela S. Falk Consulting and a fellow of both APIC and SHEA, with over 40 years of infection prevention experience across acute, ambulatory, and long-term care settings. She has presented nationally and contributed to key resources, including the CDC/Johns Hopkins Ebola PPE training video and Elsevier's TJC/OSHA Course Review.

Pam has held leadership roles within APIC, including serving on the National Education Committee and as past Education Chair of the Atlanta chapter. She developed several interactive learning experiences for APIC's national conferences and is current faculty for APIC's EPI Intensive and ASC courses. She also contributes to APIC's Emerging Infectious Diseases task force.

Tiffany Dogan, MPH, CIC

Tiffany Dogan is the Infection Prevention Program Manager at UCLA Health with 14 years of experience building strong IPC programs in large academic medical centers. She holds an MPH from the University of Michigan (Go Blue!) and is passionate about developing the next generation of infection preventionists while elevating the profile of MPH'ers in the field.

She has spent over 12 years teaching infection prevention at the college level, where she brings complex concepts to life in ways that are clear, engaging, and empowering. Tiffany is a trusted voice on leading with influence – not authority – and has presented her insights at local and national APIC conferences. She approaches her role with a blend of science and soul, knowing the most meaningful impact happens at the intersection of character and connection.

Resources: Project Firstline micro-learn

APIC website on measles with CDC links

APIC Playbook

In this episode, our hosts chat with Dr. Rebecca Crapanzano-Sigafoos and Frankie Catalfumo about APIC's updated CAUTI Implementation Guide and the collaborative efforts behind it. They share the guide's origins and what inspired the guide, highlight key prevention strategies, and debunk some common misconceptions about CAUTI in healthcare. Tune in to hear the discussion about real-world implementation challenges, the distinction between essential and additional practices, and how the new tools were designed to enhance process improvement. Get inspired to "partner harder" and strengthen your IP practice!

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza L. Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guests:

Rebecca (Becca) Crapanzano-Sigafoos, DrPH, CIC, FAPIC (previously Bartles)

Rebecca (Becca) Crapanzano-Sigafoos, DrPH, CIC, FAPIC is the Executive Director of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Prevention (APIC)'s Center for Research, Practice, and Innovation (CRPI). Becca has practiced Infection Prevention and Infectious Disease Epidemiology for the last 20 years in a variety of healthcare settings and has numerous publications focused on infection prevention staffing and endoscope safety. She received both her BS in Public Health, Health Education and her MPH in Epidemiology from East TN State University. She completed her Doctorate in Public Health in 2021 with a dissertation topic of "Assessing efficacy of an evidence-based Clostridiodes difficile screening tool using electronic medical record data." She has been CIC certified since 2008 and is an APIC fellow. Most notably, though, Becca is the mother of six amazing daughters, ages 10-27.

Frankie Catalfumo, MPH, CIC, CRCS

Frankie Catalfumo, MPH, CIC, CRCST is the Director of Practice Guidance and Health Equity at APIC in their Center for Research, Practice, and Innovation (CRPI). Frankie is an infection preventionist with more than 10 years of experience leading collaborative initiatives within acute healthcare and the federal government. In his current role, he oversees the development of practice guidance tools that are meaningful to the association's membership. He also leads investigative work regarding the relationship between health equity and infection prevention. Prior to joining APIC, Frankie led infection prevention initiatives at Inova Health System, the Johns Hopkins Hospital, the Department of Defense, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. From the global HIV epidemic to the threat of multi-drug resistant bacteria, all infectious agents prompt the need for effective prevention and control measures. Frankie is board-certified in infection control (CIC) and in sterile processing (CRCST).

Resource:

CAUTI Implementation Guide

How do infection prevention strategies vary across the globe? In this episode, Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard talk with infection control experts Dr. Filippo Medioli from Italy and Dr. Tatiana Izakovic from Slovakia. They explore how cultural attitudes, institutional policies, and limited resources shape infection control efforts worldwide. The conversation also compares how hospitals in different countries train and staff their infection prevention teams. Key topics include antimicrobial stewardship, the lasting impact of COVID-19 on protocols, and how innovations like AI and diagnostic stewardship are transforming the fight against healthcare-associated infections. Don't miss this vital conversation!

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza L. Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guests:

Filippo Medioli, MD

Born in Milan, Dr. Filippo Medioli is an Infectious Diseases Specialist at Humanitas Research Hospital in Italy and a PhD Candidate at the same institution. His expertise extends to antimicrobial stewardship and clinical infectious diseases, reflected in his role as an ad hoc member of the ESGAP Executive Committee.

Dr. Medioli has broadened his international experience through a clinical observership at Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío (HUVM) in Seville, Spain, from May to July 2024. Additionally, he serves as the Network Officer for the Trainee Association of European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases or ESCMID, beginning in April 2024, fostering collaboration among early-career infectious disease specialists.

In his free time, he enjoys expressing his creativity through painting and drawing.

Tatiana Izakovic, MD, MHA, CIC

Tatiana Izakovic, MD, MHA, CIC is an experienced hospital epidemiologist and infection control specialist. She is currently a PhD candidate at Comenius University School of Medicine, where she also serves as an adjunct faculty member in the Department of Hygiene.

Dr. Izakovic has held leadership roles in infection prevention and hospital epidemiology, including serving as a hospital epidemiologist at Hospital Bory and as an infection control consultant. She is an active member of international professional organizations, including ESCMID and APIC, where she sits on the Communications Committee. Her research and presentations focus on hospital-associated infections, patient safety, and epidemiological strategies.

Dr. Izakovic holds an MD from Comenius University, an MHA from the University of Iowa, and a CIC certification from CBIC.