The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) has announced 12 recipients of the Heroes of Infection Prevention Award which honors infection preventionists who have successfully reduced infection, raised awareness, and improved the health and well-being of patients, healthcare workers, and the public. Recipients will be recognized during APICs 40th Annual Conference, June 8-10 in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The following individuals and groups are being recognized:
 Dianne Adkins, RN, BSN Hale Anuenue Restorative Care Center, Hilo, Hawaii
 Therese Antony, RN, CIC Weiss Memorial Hospital/Vanguard Health System, Chicago, Ill.
 Peggy Ann Hazamy, RN, BSN, CIC  New York State Department of Health, Bureau of Healthcare-Associated Infections, Hamburg, N.Y.
 HealthEast Care System Infection Prevention Team Saint Paul, Minn.
 Marti Heinze, RN, BSN, BS, CIC Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, Alamogordo, N.M.
 Sonya Mauzey, RN, BS, CIC The Womens Hospital Deaconess Health System, Newburgh, Ind.
 Northridge Hospital Medical Center Northridge, Calif.
 Kathy Petersen, MS, CIC University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers, Ann Arbor, Mich.
 Chandrakant Ruparelia, MD, MPH Jhpiego (an affiliate of Johns Hopkins University), Baltimore, Md.
 Sanjeev Singh, DCH, MD, MPhil  Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi, Kerala, India
 Azalea Wedig, BS, CIC The Jewish Hospital Mercy Health, Cincinnati, Ohio
 Carolyn Williams, RN Occupational Health/Infectious Disease, City of Portland, Portland, Ore.
"Committed to patient and employee safety, our Heroes combine creative thinking, practical solutions, and collaboration to design and implement infection prevention programs that improve outcomes in their own facilities and beyond, says APIC 2013 president Patti Grant, RN, BSN, MS, CIC. "We are inspired by their dedication and honored to recognize their outstanding work.
APIC established the Heroes of Infection Prevention Award in 2006 to recognize infection preventionists who have developed and applied innovative infection prevention programs. Nearly 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, a Strategic Partner of APIC.
Source: APIC
The Next Frontier in Infection Control: AI-Driven Operating Rooms
Published: July 15th 2025 | Updated: July 15th 2025Discover how AI-powered sensors, smart surveillance, and advanced analytics are revolutionizing infection prevention in the OR. Herman DeBoard, PhD, discusses how these technologies safeguard sterile fields, reduce SSIs, and help hospitals balance operational efficiency with patient safety.
Targeting Uncertainty: Why Pregnancy May Be the Best Time to Build Vaccine Confidence
July 15th 2025New national survey data reveal high uncertainty among pregnant individuals—especially first-time parents—about vaccinating their future children, underscoring the value of proactive engagement to strengthen infection prevention.
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
IP LifeLine: Layoffs and the Evolving Job Market Landscape for Infection Preventionists
July 11th 2025Infection preventionists, once hailed as indispensable during the pandemic, now face a sobering reality: budget pressures, hiring freezes, and layoffs are reshaping the field, leaving many IPs worried about their future and questioning their value within health care organizations.