SHEA Announces Newest Delegation of the International Ambassador Program to Facilitate Global Dialogue on Infection Prevention

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) announces its 2018 International Ambassador Program Delegation. The program fosters international learning and collaboration to help address the critical need for strong infection prevention practices worldwide. This year’s delegation includes 18 outstanding individuals from 16 countries, all with extensive experience in healthcare epidemiology and infection prevention.

“Resistance doesn’t adhere to national boundaries or the need for a visa. Worldwide, it is critical that we continue to improve health and healthcare outcomes through the prevention of antibiotic resistance through the judicious use of antibiotics and infection prevention,” said Keith Kaye, MD, MPH, FSHEA, president of SHEA. “This international network of leaders has made significant contributions to developing and disseminating best practices on infection prevention and control worldwide. This year’s delegation will help to expand these efforts.”

Since 2009, SHEA has partnered with 3M on the International Ambassadors Program to welcome 135 Ambassadors representing 52 countries, helping to build collaborative relationships between U.S. and international healthcare professionals. Each year, selected delegates from around the world participate in advanced discussions on healthcare epidemiology and infection prevention, as well as engage with SHEA’s member experts, and participate in educational and research opportunities.

The 2018 SHEA International Ambassadors include:
• Chi Chung Vincent Cheng, MBBS (HK), MD (HK), MRCP (UK), FRCPath, FHKCPath, FHKAM (Pathology), Queen Mary Hospital (Hong Kong)
• Angela Chow, PhD, MPH, MBBS, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (Singapore)
• Analia De Cristofano, MD, Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires (Argentina)
• Jehan Ali El Kholy, MD, Jehan Ali El Kholy (Egypt)
• Nikkiah Forbes, DM, MBBS, Ministry of Health/Princess Margaret Hospital (Bahamas)
• Xiaodong Gao, MPH, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University (China)
• Nkwan Jacob Gobte, MPH, BSN, RN, Cameroon Baptist Convention Health Services (Cameroon)
• Kathleen Deborah Manolita Jharie - Kuisch, Infection Preventionist, RN, Academic Hospital (Suriname)
• Hajime Kanamori, MD, MPH, PhD, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine (Japan)
• Ioannis Kopsidas, MD, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Outcomes Research (Greece)
• Yew Fong Lee, PhD-candidate, MHM, MBBS, Ministry of Health, Malaysia (Malaysia)
• Shyam Kumar Mishra Baishnab, MScMLT, Institute of Medicine (Nepal)
• Rima Moghnieh, MD, Makassed General Hospital (Lebanon)
• Rosa Ravariere-Seaman, MPH, RN, BVI Health Services Authority (British Virgin Islands)
• Sara Rivera, MD, Hospital Maria Especialidades Pediátricas (Honduras)
• Priscilla Rupali, MD, Christian Medical College Vellore (India)
• Smita Sarma, MD, CIC, Medanta - The Medicity (India)
• Hui Zhang, MSN, Infection Control Department, West China Hospital (China)

“While we may face unique challenges in infection prevention and control, SHEA’s International Ambassadors come together to unite a global presence of leaders dedicated to protecting patients and healthcare providers from infectious diseases,” said Xiaoyan Song, MD, chair of SHEA’s External Affairs Committee. “We are grateful for the opportunity to engage with this group and invite them to learn alongside SHEA’s members.”

SHEA works with the new Ambassadors and Program alumnae to identify content and partnerships to support learning, policy development and the growth of regional networks. These opportunities have resulted in collaboration on a variety of projects and educational meetings on antibiotic stewardship and infection prevention and control in the ambassadors’ home countries, research projects and outbreak investigations.

Source: Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA)