The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) announces two recipients of the Heroes Research Award program.

The recipients are Lillian S. Kao, MD, MS, FACS, associate professor and vice-chair for Quality in the Department of Surgery at University of Texas Health Sciences Center at Houston, and Kristen Woodman, MPH, infection control coordinator at the University of Toledo Medical Center.

The Heroes Research Award program is an extension of the Heroes of Infection Prevention AwardÂ  program, which was introduced in 2006 and has recognized more than 80 individuals and groups for their exceptional work in the infection prevention field.

Kao and Woodman will receive up to $50,000 to support innovative research projects to identify successful strategies as exemplified within the Heroes group, and determine potential ways to implement these interventions across the infection prevention community. Kaos proposal is titled Strategies for Preventing Healthcare Associated Infections  Putting Them into Context. Woodmans proposal is titled I Can Prevent.

We are pleased with the opportunity to provide these two implementation science research awards, says Michelle Farber, RN, CIC, APIC 2012 president. We plan to spread their innovations that translate science to practice and sustain reductions in infection to a wider audience. This supports the APIC boards strategic focus on implementation science.

Proposals were evaluated based on their potential to support professional development in one or more of the core areas or future-oriented domains of infection prevention (as identified in the APIC Competency Model for the Infection Preventionist); strength of the proposed methodology, including analysis of data obtained from previous recipients of the Heroes award; and potential for the project to demonstrate the use of implementation science to help advance the infection preventionist role. The research projects will be completed by December 2013.

Implementation science refers to moving scientific evidence into action that practitioners can use to protect patients at the bedside.

The 2012-2013 Heroes program is supported by a grant from BD (Becton, Dickinson and Company).