Deborah Ellis, PhD, MS, MPH, MT(ASCP), CIC, LTC-CIP, CPHQ, FACHE, is the system director of infection prevention and control at Alameda Health System in California. A Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, she is a nationally recognized leader in infection prevention and a champion for elevating IPs into healthcare’s executive ranks.
CBIC and APIC say updated IPU requirements are intended to protect infection prevention education from commercial influence. But differing guidance, questions about industry support, and concerns about educational access leave IPs asking for a clearer, more consistent road map.
Infection prevention has outgrown the idea that only bedside nurses belong in the role. Today’s IP work is epidemiology, data science, quality, and systems leadership—yet non-RN experts are still told they “don’t belong.” It is time to broaden the pipeline and value competence over a single professional credential and experience.
Elevating IPs into executive leadership isn't symbolic; it's a strategic imperative.
