APIC Salutes 2025 Trailblazers in Infection Prevention and Control

APIC Heroes at APIC25

At its 2025 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Annual Conference in Phoenix, APIC honored outstanding leaders whose work exemplifies excellence in infection prevention. From seasoned mentors to emerging innovators, this year’s award recipients represent the dedication, expertise, and collaboration that continue to shape safer health care practices worldwide.

Influential Advocate, Inspiring Leader, Patti Grant, Receives ‘Carole DeMille Achievement Award’

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) presented awards to distinguished leaders at the APIC Annual Conference & Expo, held in Phoenix, Arizona, from June 16 to 18, 2025.

APIC’s highest honor—the Carole DeMille Achievement Award—was presented to Patricia (Patti) S. Grant, MS, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC. Over more than 30 years, Grant has guided infection prevention programs in multiple health care settings and championed mentorship for the next generation of infection preventionists (IPs).

“Patti has dedicated more than three decades to advancing infection prevention through mentorship, leadership, and unwavering commitment,” said 2025 APIC President Carol M. McLay, DrPH, MPH, RN, CIC, FAPIC, FSHEA. “Her impactful contributions across diverse healthcare settings and her passion for uplifting the next generation of IPs make her a truly deserving recipient of APIC’s highest honor—the Carole DeMille Achievement Award.”

The following individuals also received awards:

Healthcare Administrator Award

Denise Parrish, MSN, MBA, RN, NE-BC, is the 2025 Healthcare Administrator Award recipient. This award recognizes the vital role that healthcare leaders play in cultivating an organizational culture that promotes and supports infection prevention efforts.

Emerging Leader in IP Award

Kwang-Seok Kang, BA-HS, CPhT, RPhT, a-IPC, CIC, CHEC, is the 2025 recipient of the Emerging Leader in Infection Prevention Award. The award honors a new infection preventionist who has shown dedication to their profession and personal development.

The Elaine Larson Distinguished Scientist Award

David Jay Weber, MD, MPH, FSHEA, FIDSA, FRCM (London), is the recipient of the 2025 Elaine Larson Distinguished Scientist Award. This award recognizes prominent researchers and scholars whose work has contributed to APIC’s vision of creating a safer world through the prevention of infection.

President’s Distinguished Service Award

Pamela Falk, MPH, FSHEA, FAPIC, CIC, is the recipient of the 2025 President’s Distinguished Service Award. The President's Distinguished Service Award, named after Pat Lynch, honors the exceptional contributions of APIC volunteers dedicated to serving the profession through their efforts for the Association.

APIC Graduate Student Research Scholarship Recipient

Julie Yang, a recent master of public health graduate from the University of Maryland, College Park, is the recipient of the 2025 APIC Graduate Student Research Scholarship. The APIC Graduate Student Research Scholarship supports research and quality improvement efforts that advance infection prevention and evidence-based implementation science.

Heroes of Infection Prevention

These awards recognize APIC members and their Infection Prevention and Control teams who have effectively applied one of APIC’s future-oriented domains to reduce infection risks for patients throughout the continuum of care.

The 2025 Heroes of Infection Prevention awards were presented to Maria Lourdes Bernadeth Manipon, Head Nurse, Infection Prevention and Control Unit National Kidney and Transplant Institute, Quezon City, Philippines, and Jane Owino, BSN, RN-BC, CIC, Parker Health Group.

Collectively, this year’s recipients exemplify the expertise, curiosity, and collaborative spirit that drive progress in infection prevention and patient safety worldwide.