New York Infection Prevention Expert Named Recipient of Carole DeMille Award

The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) today announced that Rachel L. Stricof, MT, MPH, of Albany, N.Y., has been named the 2008 recipient of the prestigious Carole DeMille Achievement Award. APIC presents the annual award to an infection prevention and control professional who best exemplifies the ideals of Carole DeMille, a pioneer in infection control. The award will be presented at APIC’s 35th annual Educational Conference and International Meeting, June 15-19 in Denver.

An infection prevention expert for more than 30 years, Stricof is director of the hospital-acquired infection reporting program for the New York State Department of Health. In her current role, she has worked with the CDC to establish the National Health Care Safety Network as the standard for HAI reporting in New York State. She educates ICPs and collaborates with legislators, health associations and decision-making bodies in an effort to identify best practices and reduce infection rates. Stricof is recognized as an early proponent of infection surveillance programs, having developed one of the first data-driven reporting systems in the country.

Stricof has served in many capacities with APIC, including chair of the TB Task Force and as a member of the Practice Guidance Council, Public Policy Committee, Mandatory Reporting Task Force and Bioterrorism Task Force. She is currently an external advisor to the Public Policy Committee. She also serves as a liaison representative to the CDC’s Advisory Committee for the Elimination of Tuberculosis.

“We are proud to honor Rachel with this award,” says Janet E. Frain, RN, CIC, CPHQ, CPHRM, director of integrated services at Sutter Medical Center in Sacramento, Calif. and APIC president. “Throughout her career she has made significant contributions to the field of infection prevention. From testifying on the OSHA TB rule, to participating in the Secretary’s Council on Public Health Preparedness, to implementing a mandatory HAI reporting structure in New York State, her accomplishments and vision truly exemplify the ideals of Carole DeMille.”

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 was established in her honor in 1979, following her death.

Source: APIC