APIC Honors Its 2017 Heroes of Infection Prevention

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) announced seven recipients of the Heroes of Infection Prevention Award, which honors infection preventionists who have successfully helped to reduce infection, raise awareness, and improve the health and well-being of patients, healthcare workers, and the public.   "Our 2017 Heroes have advocated for process and systems improvement, developed new strategies to prevent infection, and successfully collaborated with others in their field to advance the science of infection prevention,” said 2017 APIC president Linda Greene, RN, MPS, CIC, FAPIC. "We celebrate their efforts and commitment to patient safety.”   Recipients will be recognized during APIC’s 44th Annual Conference, June 14-16, in Portland, Oregon.   The following individuals are being recognized:   Mary Jo Bellush, MSN, CIC Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Category: Process and systems improvement   Katie Cary, MT(ASCP), CIC Presbyterian/St. Luke's Medical Center Denver, Colorado. Category: Advocacy and influence   Christina Ewers, RN, MSN, CIC Lutheran Medical Center Denver, Colorado. Category: Patient Safety   Jamie Swift, RN, BSN, CIC, FAPIC Mountain State Health Alliance Johnson City, Tennessee. Category: Advocacy and influence   (Team) Angela Rupp, MT(ASCP), MS, CIC, FAPIC           Elaine Whaley, RN, MSN, CIC Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's                               Texas Children’s Hospital Hospital of Chicago                                                    Houston, Texas. Chicago, Illinois.                                                                      Category: Patient Safety     Dignity Health Infection Prevention Team Northridge, California. Category: Process and systems improvement   APIC established the Heroes of Infection Prevention Award in 2006 to recognize infection preventionists who have developed and implemented innovative infection prevention programs. More than 100 individuals and groups have been recognized to date for their exceptional work in reducing healthcare-associated infections.   The Heroes program is supported by a grant from BD, an APIC Strategic Partner.   Source: APIC