By Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)
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The podcast currently has 63 episodes available.
In the 5 Second Rule podcast by APIC, hosts Lerenza Howard and Kelly Holmes discuss infection prevention and control in the context of hurricanes with professionals, Lori Crow and Cindy Prins. From sharing personal experiences to breaking down the role of infection preventionists in such situations, the podcast covers a wide range of topics - from maintaining food safety during power outages to averting mold growth post-flooding. Listen to the IPC experts shed insights on the crucial role played by IPs and infection prevention measures during a hurricane.
Hosted by:
Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB and Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC
About our Guests:
Cindy Prins, PhD, MPH, CIC, CPH, FSHEA
Dr. Cindy Prins is an Associate Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences, College of Medicine at the University of Central Florida, and is part of the UCF Infectious Disease and Travel Health Initiative. She is an infectious disease epidemiologist whose research focuses on infection prevention and control in both healthcare and non-healthcare settings, and on compliance with vaccine recommendations. Dr. Prins is Board Certified in Infection Control (CIC) and Public Health (CPH) and is a Fellow of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (FSHEA).
Lori Zeringue Crow, MPH, MS, CPH
Lori holds a background in both microbiology and public health. After a career as a college microbiology instructor, Lori pivoted her path into public health by going back to school to obtain her MPH. Lori now works in public health emergency preparedness and response at a state health department. In that capacity, Lori is trained to prepare for and respond to all types of hazards that can impact public health. Two of the most common types of hazards her department encounters are hurricanes and flooding. Lori’s experience with the devastation that hurricanes can bring is not only professional, but also personal as she has lived most of her life on the Gulf Coast. Lori believes infection prevention plays a role in minimizing the impact hurricanes can have on people. She combines her microbiology and public health background to advocate for the inclusion of infection control in hurricane preparedness and response
Further Resources:
Hear about the intricacies of healthcare equity in this episode of the 5 Second Rule podcast, hosted by Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard. We welcome Caldwell Lewin and Jessica Tarabay from the APIC Health Equity Committee, diving deep into topics such as health equity, disparities, and crucial infection prevention strategies. Listen now to gain valuable insights into pressing concerns in the healthcare landscape.
Hosted by:
Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB
About our Guests:
Jessica Tarabay, MPH, MHR, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC
Jessica Tarabay holds a background in public health and epidemiology. Jessica joined Emory Healthcare in May of 2019. She is a purposely driven quality, patient safety, and infection prevention leader with 10 years of healthcare experience identifying areas of improvement through interdisciplinary collaboration, data analysis, and implementing strategies critical for successful outcomes. Jessica is a fellow of APIC, has published and presented on a variety of topics in infection prevention and control, and serves as the Chair of the National APIC Health Equity Committee and 2023 President of the Greater Atlanta Georgia APIC Chapter. Jessica was the recipient of the 2021 March of Dimes “Friend of Nurse” award in Georgia and is a current doctoral candidate in the DrPH program at the University of Georgia.
Caldwell Lewin, MSN, RN, CIC, CPHQ
Caldwell Lewin is a dedicated healthcare professional with extensive experience in nursing and infection prevention and control. Currently working as an Operating Room Registered Nurse, Caldwell has a diverse background, having previously served as the Infection Prevention and Control system manager for Sentara Healthcare, a system encompassing 12 hospitals in Virginia and Northeastern North Carolina.
Caldwell’s expertise in Infection Prevention and Control spans various settings, including acute care, critical access hospitals, rural health clinics, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory surgery centers. She has served as a board member for the APIC chapter in New Orleans and participated on the National APIC Health Inequity and Disparities task force. Currently, she co-chairs the APIC Health Equity Committee, demonstrating her commitment to addressing health disparities and promoting equitable healthcare practices.
In the latest episode of the 5 Second Rule podcast, guest Chris Smith delves into the collaboration between the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and APIC, resulting in the development of a school-based IPC Toolkit for Missouri Schools. This initiative equips the school community with valuable resources to enhance infection prevention practices in K-12 schools. Learn more about the toolkit's components, the TEAMS (Training, Education, Assistance, Mentorship, and Support) model approach, impact assessment through pre/post evaluations, and its potential to enhance population health beyond the healthcare sector.
Hosted by:
Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB
About our Guest:
Chris Smith, MHA, Program Manager for APIC
Chris A. Smith, MHA, is currently a Program Manager for the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), acting as the project manager for the MO KIDS IPC Toolkit project. Ms. Smith has worked in the public health and medical fields for the last 30 years. Roles that she has held include Environmental Health Specialist and Bio-terrorism Response Planner for Columbia/Boone County Health Department, Communications and Emergency Preparedness Manager for University of Missouri Healthcare, Emergency Preparedness Director for Brigham and Women's Hospital (Boston), Senior Program Manager of the Boston Medical Intelligence Center, Boston Public Health Commission, and leading training development projects for workforce development for the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Field Operations Directorate. Ms. Smith is also an adjunct professor for the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, teaching Public Health Issues in Emergency Management. She earned her Master's in Health Administration (MHA) from the University of Missouri - Columbia.
Are you up to date with the latest Infection Control Updates for 2024? Tune into the Five Second Rule Podcast, where hosts Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard discuss these crucial updates with Natalya Rosenberg from The Joint Commission. Gain insights into competency-based training, protocols for high-consequence pathogens, ensuring vendor compliance, tips for conflicting MIFUs, and the role of leadership in ensuring quality in contracted services. Don't miss the invaluable perspectives and advice that could greatly benefit your health organization!
Hosted by:
Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB
About our Guest:
Natalya Rosenberg, PhD, RN
Natalya Rosenberg is a Senior Product Director in the Department of Global Standards and Certifications at The Joint Commission. In this role, she is responsible for developing and maintaining accreditation requirements for hospitals and non-hospital programs. Dr. Rosenberg is a registered nurse and previously worked as a clinical nurse in diverse critical care settings. Her experience includes serving as an infection control liaison for several cardiovascular health services and procedural areas. Prior to her employment at The Joint Commission, she was a post-doctoral fellow in cardiovascular and chronic disease epidemiology in minority populations at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine. She developed and participated in several epidemiological studies and co-authored 8 peer-reviewed publications.
Listen in as our hosts, Lerenza Howard and Kelly Holmes, interview the authors of three impactful oral and poster presentations live at the 2024 APIC Annual Conference in San Antonio. Learn about a multi-prong approach to enhance outcomes in a dental unit, insights from a pediatric measles outbreak, and the adoption of a veterinary occupational and infection control assessment for enhanced safety. Discover more details on each presentation in our Further Resources section.
Hosted by:
Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB and Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC
About our Guests:
Andrea Lombard, RN, BSN, MPH, CIC, Infection Control Manager, Community Health Services (CHS)
Andrea is a nurse. Nursing chose her, she became a nurse when nursing was a vocation path. Andrea became intrigued with infection control and prevention in the 1980’s after working on a team under a primary investigator researching the efficacy and outcomes of using chlorhexidine gluconate in the preoperative setting. Andrea learned infection control and epidemiology at the CDC and Emory, became certified in Infection Control, and then pursued a master’s in public health. Her career journey has led her to work in a variety of practice settings – acute care, home care, public health, long term care, outpatient, behavioral health, dental, and ambulatory care – with a variety of roles – direct patient care, leadership, management, infection surveillance, prevention and control, quality improvement, program development, community assessments, evaluation, planning, community partnerships, education, and advocacy. Her work in Connecticut has led the State to being identified as the first jurisdiction in the United States targeted to eliminate Hepatitis C.
Payal M. Patel, MPH, CIC, Infection Preventionist, Nationwide Children's Hospital
Payal M. Patel began her career as an Infection Preventionist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio in 2021. She holds a Master’s in Public Health in Hospital and Molecular Epidemiology from the University of Michigan. Payal is dedicated to her role as a consultant, educator, researcher, and change agent in infection control and prevention. She represents various hospital areas including High Level Disinfection, Gastrointestinal Service Line, Fetal Services, Burn Program and Family Volunteer Services. Payal takes great pride in being an active member and serving as Treasurer of her local Central Ohio APIC chapter.
Tammie Hull, MA, BSN, RN, CIC, LSSGBH, Infection Preventionist, Nationwide Children's Hospital Tammie Hull is an Infection Preventionist at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. She is a registered nurse and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt Healthcare Professional. Her nursing experience ranges from occupational health to student and community health. Tammie began her role as an Infection Preventionist in 2020. She currently serves as an infection control representative to multiple hospital areas including inpatient units and primary cares, along with Employee Health, and sits on the Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Leadership Committee and the Ambulatory Coordinating Council Committee.
Leslie Kollmann, BS, AAS, CVT, CIC, Certified Veterinary Technician/Veterinary IPC, Minnesota Department of Health, St. Paul, Minnesota Leslie has been a Certified Veterinary Technician since 2004 and has been working in veterinary infection prevention for about 16 years. She currently works at the Minnesota Department of Health in the Zoonotic Disease Unit consulting with veterinary clinics, wildlife rehabs, zoos, animal sanctuaries, and shelters on infection control and safety issues. Leslie obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in biomedical sciences at the University of Wisconsin La-Crosse and her associate degree in veterinary technology from Argosy University. In 2023, she also passed the CIC exam.
Further Resources Andrea Lombard poster presentation: Multiprong Interventions, Organizational Behavioral Changes, and Ongoing Monitoring Reduce Dental Unit Water Line Biofilm Growth, June 2021 to Nov2023 Payal Patel and Tammie Hull poster presentation: Lessons Learned from a Measles Outbreak in a Pediatric Population in Ohio Leslie Kollmann oral presentation: Veterinary Occupational Health and Infection Control Assessment Program (VOHICA)
In this insightful podcast, nurse manager Allison Zelikoff explores the history and importance of occupational health, its partnership with infection prevention, and how she found her calling in this field. Find out more about the critical role of occupational health in promoting workplace safety and the challenges this discipline faces including administrative and financial barriers. Listen in to understand the future of occupational health and the crucial connection it maintains with infection prevention.
Hosted by:
Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB and Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC
About our Guest:
Allison Zelikoff, RN, MSN, Nurse Manager, Occupational Health, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Allison Zelikoff is the Nurse Manager for Occupational Health at Fred Hutch, a cancer and infectious disease research institute and patient care center in Seattle, Washington. In her role, Allison manages a program that provides direct care to employees following workplace injury, response to bloodborne and respiratory pathogen exposure, large-scale vaccination programs, as well as interdisciplinary collaboration and data analysis aimed at preventing injury and illness among employees in the workplace. Her professional background includes direct patient care serving vulnerable populations in the community setting and at Harborview Medical Center, the region’s level 1 trauma center.
In this episode of the Five Second Rule podcast, hosts Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard speak with Trent MacAllister, Infection Preventionist at the Washington State Department of Health and APIC Annual Conference Committee member. He shares insights into the abstract review process for the APIC Annual Conference. Trent provides information on how to submit speaker proposals and abstract submissions, discusses common mistakes in submissions, and explains how the committee determines oral presentations versus poster presentations. This episode offers invaluable tips for those looking to participate in the conference.
Hosted by:
Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB
About our Guest:
Trent MacAllister, MPH, MS, CIC
Trent MacAllister, MPH, MS, CIC, is an Infection Preventionist at the Washington State Department of Health within the Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Section. In this role, Trent conducts Infection Control and Response (ICAR) consultations with healthcare facilities throughout the state. He has also provided outbreak investigation and response support to acute care, long-term care, ambulatory care, residential treatment, and behavioral health facilities. Trent worked as an infection preventionist in an acute care hospital before transitioning to his current role in public health. Trent is currently the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Annual Conference Committee (ACC) Abstract Sub-Committee Chair and the 2025 APIC ACC Vice-Chair. In his free time, Trent enjoys mountain biking, hiking, hanging out with his dogs at the lake, and traveling the world with his fiancée.
Further Resources: "How to Write An Abstract" Reasons for Rejections of Abstracts Submitted to APIC's Annual Conference: Ensuring Transparency and Encouraging Quality
Explore the world of infection prevention and control in the long-term care sector on APIC's 5 Second Rule podcast. This episode features A.C. Burke, a veteran of the public health and healthcare sectors, who shares her passion for infection control in long-term care facilities. From issues of staffing and burnout to the ongoing need for roles dedicated to IP, Burke provides unique insights into the challenges and opportunities facing IPs in long-term care. Tune in to understand more about the importance of infection prevention in these critical healthcare settings, where the need to balance patient safety with quality of life is paramount.
Hosted by:
Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB and Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC
About our Guest:
A.C. Burke, Vice President for Healthcare Quality for RB Health Partners, Inc.
A.C. Burke is the VP for Healthcare Quality for RB Health Partners, Inc. In this role, she consults with long-term care facilities on infection prevention and control policies, procedures, and practices, and provides training to infection preventionists and staff in nursing homes on a variety of infection prevention topics. A.C.’s prior experience includes working as the Director of Infection Prevention for Mayo Clinic Florida and the Healthcare-associated Infection Prevention Program Manager for the Florida Department of Health. She has 25 years of experience in the healthcare field and is nationally board certified in infection control (CIC).
Further Resources:
GAO Report
Press Release
APIC Support of IPC in LTC
In this engaging episode of the Five Second Rule podcast, hosts Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard converse with patient advocate Rosie Bartel, sharing her incredible battle with a persistent MRSA infection, which began as a complication of knee replacement surgery. As a survivor and activist, Rosie's brave story takes us through her grueling journey of surmounting multiple surgeries, hospitalizations, and amputations, underscoring the importance of patient perspective in healthcare and infection control. Listen in to learn more about her crucial role in infection prevention advocacy and the essential changes that resulted from sharing her story.
Hosted by:
Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB
About our Guest:
Rosie Bartel, MA in Educational Leadership, Patient Partner
Rosie is a widow, mother, grandmother and an educator. In August of 2009 she underwent a total right knee replacement that developed into a MRSA staph infection. As Rosie continues to battle this MRSA infection in her body, she is driven to share her story of survival. She believes in helping others with disabilities and other health concerns find their voices. She uses her story to co-design with medical professionals, researchers and to advocate for patients and their caregivers.
Further Resource: Rosie Bartel: Viewing Infection Data from the Patient's Perspective - YouTube
In this episode of the 5 Second Rule podcast, hosts Lerenza Howard and Kelly Holmes talk with Aayushi Chheda, past president of the Midnight Sun Chapter of APIC, and Talia Lefkowitz, past president of the Greater New York Chapter of APIC, both winners of a 2023 Chapter Excellence Award. Aayushi discusses their successful strategies to revitalize the chapter during the pandemic, while Talia describes the techniques used for ongoing Chapter success. The conversation focuses on networking, implementing surveys to measure educational needs, and strengthening communication for both virtual and in-person meetings in order to build a culture of resiliency and balance.
Hosted by:
Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MPA, CIC, LSSGB
About our Guests:
Aayushi Chheda, MS, MPH, CIC, Supervisor at Providence Alaska Medical Center
Getting connected to other professionals in the field of IP has been an integral part of Aayushi's professional and personal journey in Alaska. In 2021, she assumed leadership roles within the local APIC chapter, serving as President-Elect before becoming President.
Talia Lefkowitz, BSN, RN, CIC, Assistant Director of Infection Prevention at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
Talia is the immediate past president of APIC Greater New York Chapter 13, and has enjoyed giving back to the chapter using an innovative and collaborative approach to engage and retain members.
Further resource: APIC Chapter Information
The podcast currently has 63 episodes available.
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