Florida Infection Prevention Expert Named Recipient of Carole DeMille Award

A Florida infection prevention and control expert has been named the recipient of the prestigious Carole DeMille Achievement Award, presented annually by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

Loretta Litz Fauerbach, MS, CIC, an infection prevention expert for over 30 years who now serves as the director of infection control at Shands Hospital at the University of Florida, has been recognized as a professional who best perpetuates the ideals of Carole DeMille, a pioneer in the development of the role of infection prevention and control professionals. Fauerbach has served in many capacities with APIC, including as a member of its board of directors and chairperson of its Practice Guidance Committee, as well as its Communications Team leader. At present she serves on the Joint Commission Expert Advisory Panel for Consensus Measurement in Hand Hygiene; is co-leader for

the SHEA/APIC Communications Network and has been active in research and development of infection prevention and control standards and practices, as demonstrated by her publications.

Among her many achievements, Fauerbach is best recognized for her efforts to improve patient care as well as her contributions to infection prevention and control improvements within her facility. She has served as a mentor to new infection control professionals over the years and has conducted much research on the field of infection prevention.

The late Carole DeMille was among the founders of APIC who later became an internationally recognized authority in the developing field of hospital infection control. She was known for her vision and optimistic approach to present-day infection prevention methods. The award in her honor was established in 1979, following her death.

Source: APIC