Voice for Infection Prevention

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today I’m talking with Shaunte Walton, a leader who has helped pave the way for diverse backgrounds in Infection Prevention.
With a microbiology and molecular diagnostics background, Shaunte transitioned into Infection Prevention, despite the challenges of breaking into a traditionally nurse-dominated field. She shares how mentorship, networking, and earning her CIC certification helped her advance into system-wide leadership at UCLA Health.
We also dive into her passion for mentorship and workforce development, including how she’s helping grow the next generation of Infection Preventionists through training programs and career pathways.
If you’re looking for insights on career growth, leadership, and making an impact in Infection Prevention, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Let’s get started.

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today I’m joined by Sinthuya Alston, whose journey into Infection Prevention is truly unique—coming from a medical background with a passion for infectious diseases, she originally planned to become an infectious disease physician but found herself falling in love with Infection Prevention instead.
In this conversation, Sinthuya shares how she went from an Infection Prevention Coordinator to a System Director, overseeing Infection Prevention, Employee Health, and Sepsis Care across multiple hospitals. She discusses how her medical background helped her build strong partnerships with physicians, how she integrated Employee Health and Infection Prevention programs, and why emotional intelligence and leadership skills are just as important as clinical knowledge in this field.
We also dive into her approach to mentorship, professional development, and process improvement methodologies like Lean Six Sigma, which have helped her optimize infection control efforts at a large scale. Whether you’re new to the field or looking to advance into leadership, Sinthuya’s insights on career growth and the evolving role of Infection Prevention are invaluable.
You won’t want to miss this one—let’s dive in!

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today I’m joined by Sarah Wilkerson, whose career path proves that unexpected opportunities can lead to incredible growth.
Sarah started as a veterinary technician before moving into nursing education, planning to become a nurse educator. But when she was unexpectedly offered an Infection Prevention role, she jumped in—and never looked back. Now, she oversees Infection Prevention across 52 facilities, spanning acute care, ambulatory, and rehab settings.
In this conversation, we discuss her career progression, the importance of mentorship, and how diverse backgrounds strengthen Infection Prevention teams. She also shares her experience stepping into system-wide leadership just as COVID-19 hit, and how she advocates for staffing and resources.
If you’re looking for insights on career growth, leadership, and the evolving role of Infection Preventionists, you won’t want to miss this one!
Let’s jump in.

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today, I’m talking with Tawanna McInnis-Cole, whose career journey is a testament to adaptability, leadership, and passion for patient safety.
Tawanna’s entry into Infection Prevention was unexpected—she applied for a nurse educator role but found herself stepping into infection control instead. She quickly embraced the field, realizing it was the perfect blend of science, patient care, and education.
In this interview, she shares how her background in med-surg, women’s health, and emergency care shaped her approach, why relationship-building and mentorship are essential, and how earning her CIC and a doctorate in healthcare administration helped her advocate for staffing, resources, and Infection Prevention leadership.
If you’re looking for insights on career growth, leadership, and making an impact in Infection Prevention, you won’t want to miss this one!
Let’s dive in.

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention, your go-to source for illuminating conversations with leaders dedicated to ensuring patient safety. I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today's episode is truly special as we're joined by Donna Nucci, a distinguished figure in the field of infection prevention.
Donna currently serves as the System Director of Infection Prevention at Yale New Haven health system, and she also runs her own infection prevention consulting business, showcasing her unwavering dedication and commitment to the field. With a wealth of experience and expertise, Donna's impact on infection prevention is profound.
In this episode, we have the privilege of exploring Donna's extensive career journey. As a Registered Nurse with a Master of Science degree and certification in infection prevention, Donna's expertise is unparalleled. With over a decade of experience primarily working within Ambulatory programs, her insights are invaluable.
Join us as we delve into Donna's remarkable career trajectory, discuss her approach to infection prevention, and uncover the insights she has gained over the years in ensuring the highest standards of patient safety and care.

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention, your trusted platform for insightful discussions with leaders dedicated to ensuring patient safety. I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today's episode is a true delight as we welcome Erin Beck-Wilder to the show.
Erin is a seasoned infection preventionist with a wealth of experience managing infection prevention and control programs across diverse healthcare settings. Currently serving as the Director of Infection Prevention at Kootenai Health, Erin's dedication to ensuring patient safety shines through her extensive credentials and professional background.
In this episode, we have the privilege of delving into Erin's impressive career journey. With a Master of Public Health (MPH), Registered Nurse (RN) licensure, and certifications in Infection Control (CIC), Healthcare Quality (CPHQ), and Lean Six Sigma Black Belt (LSSBB), Erin's expertise is unparalleled. Her experience spans acute care, behavioral health, long-term care, home care, and various outpatient settings, showcasing her versatility and unwavering commitment to infection prevention.
Join us as we explore Erin's insights, discuss her strategies for managing infection prevention programs, and uncover the keys to success in ensuring safe and effective healthcare delivery across diverse settings.

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention, your trusted source for engaging discussions with leaders committed to ensuring safe and transparent patient care. I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today's episode is bound to inspire as we sit down with Catherine Kroll, a seasoned leader in infection prevention.
Catherine currently serves as the System Director of Infection Prevention at PeaceHealth, where she brings her wealth of experience and expertise to the forefront of healthcare. With a Master of Public Health (MPH) and Certification in Infection Control, Catherine has established herself as a trailblazer in the field, with a proven track record in public health, acute healthcare services, and higher education.
In this episode, we have the privilege of delving into Catherine's remarkable career trajectory. From her dedication to transparent and safe patient care across the lifespan to her innovative approach to infection prevention, Catherine's insights are invaluable for healthcare professionals at every level.
Join us as we explore Catherine's journey, discuss her strategies for upholding the highest standards of patient safety, and gain invaluable wisdom from her wealth of experience and expertise.

Welcome to Voice for Infection Prevention, your go-to destination for illuminating conversations with leaders shaping the future of healthcare. I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today's episode is a special treat as we delve into the world of infection prevention with a seasoned expert.
Joining us is Martin Leveske, the System Director of Infection Prevention at Henry Ford Health System, who has been at the forefront of infection prevention for over two decades. With his impressive credentials including an MPH, MBA, CIC, and recognition as a Fellow of APIC, Martin brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table.
In this episode, we have the privilege of tapping into Martin's insights and advice for aspiring professionals in the field of infection prevention. From his personal career journey to the strategies he swears by, Martin's guidance is invaluable for those committed to making a difference in healthcare.
Join us as we explore the front lines of infection prevention together, gaining invaluable wisdom from Martin Leveske's extensive experience and expertise.

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention, your trusted source for illuminating discussions with leaders driving innovation in healthcare. I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today's episode promises to be truly enlightening as we're joined by Carolyn Fiutem, an esteemed leader with a profound passion for infection prevention.
Currently serving as the Executive Director, Network Infection Prevention and Blood Management at Community Health Network, Carolyn's career is marked by dedication and excellence. With a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, Carolyn's finely honed leadership skills are evident in every aspect of her work. As a Board Certified Infection Control (CIC) professional since 2001 and a Fellow of APIC since 2016, Carolyn is recognized as a trailblazer in the field of infection prevention.
In this episode, we have the privilege of delving into Carolyn's remarkable career journey, exploring her accomplishments, and uncovering the keys to her success as a healthcare leader. From her innovative approach to infection prevention to her steadfast commitment to excellence, Carolyn's insights are sure to inspire professionals across the healthcare spectrum.
Join us as we unravel Carolyn's approach to infection prevention, glean wisdom from her experiences, and embark on a journey towards excellence in healthcare leadership.

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention, your go-to podcast for enlightening conversations with leaders shaping the landscape of infection prevention. I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today's episode is truly special as we sit down with Kate Macguire, a distinguished figure in the field.
Kate currently holds the esteemed position of Director of Infection Prevention at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, where her leadership and expertise play a pivotal role in pediatric healthcare. With a wealth of experience and accomplishments, including her previous role as Director of Infection Prevention at Marshfield Clinic, Kate's dedication to advancing infection prevention practices is unparalleled.
In this episode, we delve into Kate's illustrious career journey, exploring the challenges she's faced and the strategies she's employed to drive positive change. From her academic achievements, including an MS in Biology, an MPH, to her certification in Infection Control, Kate's commitment to infection prevention has been unwavering since the inception of her career in 2011.Join us as we unravel the insights and wisdom Kate has gained throughout her remarkable career. From her unique perspective in pediatric healthcare to her role as an inspiration to aspiring infection preventionists, this conversation promises to be both enlightening and empowering.
Without further ado, let's dive into our discussion with Kate Macguire and uncover the keys to achieving success in infection prevention from her invaluable perspective.