Voice for Infection Prevention

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today I’m joined by Jenay Beshears, a seasoned leader whose career in Infection Prevention is a powerful example of long-term growth, adaptability, and servant leadership.
Jenay’s journey is especially unique because she has spent nearly three decades growing within the same organization, evolving from bedside nursing into system-level Infection Prevention leadership across a large network of hospitals. Along the way, she has navigated organizational change, expanded her influence across very different facility cultures, and continued to challenge herself professionally without ever losing sight of the people side of the work.
In this conversation, Jenay shares what it really looks like to lead Infection Prevention at the system level—balancing standardization with the unique needs of each hospital, building relationships with local leaders, and understanding how to influence change in complex healthcare environments. She also talks about the role of continued learning, why she chose to pursue her master’s degree, and why presenting, networking, and staying engaged beyond the day-to-day work can be so valuable for growth in this field.
If you’re interested in leadership, career development, and what it takes to grow and thrive in Infection Prevention over the long haul, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Let’s dive in.

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! This is your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today, I’m joined by Madelaine Flynn, an Infection Prevention leader whose career journey brings a truly unique global perspective to the field.
Originally from Australia, Maddie began her career as a registered nurse before finding her way into Infection Prevention early on. What started as an opportunity to make a broader impact through flu prevention and patient safety quickly grew into a long-term career marked by continuous learning, leadership growth, and a willingness to say yes to new challenges. Today, she serves in a market-level Infection Prevention leadership role here in the United States, bringing experience from both the Australian and U.S. healthcare systems. 
In this conversation, Maddie shares how she built her career from staff-level Infection Prevention into leadership, what she learned from managing across multiple sites and settings, and how her transition from Australia to the U.S. shaped her perspective on the profession. We also talk about the value of diverse backgrounds on Infection Prevention teams, what she looks for when hiring, and the advice she gives to professionals who want to grow into leadership roles of their own.   
If you’re interested in career growth, leadership development, and hearing how Infection Prevention can translate across different healthcare systems and cultures, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Let’s dive in.
 

This is Jacob Hutcherson, CEO of Clutch Recruitment and host of the Voice for Infection Prevention podcast. Today, I’m joined by Dr. David J. Weber, who has spent decades working in healthcare epidemiology and Infection Prevention. He has led Hospital Epidemiology at UNC Hospitals for more than 35 years, currently serves as President-Elect of SHEA, and has published extensively on healthcare-associated infections and disinfection.
 
About Germitec
Germitec is an innovative medical technology company advancing the modernization of ultrasound probe disinfection through UV-C High-Level Disinfection (HLD) systems. As ultrasound use continues to expand across diagnostic, interventional, and point-of-care settings, Germitec’s technology is designed to help healthcare organizations reduce infection risk while simplifying complex reprocessing workflows. Visit https://www.germitec.com/en-us for more information.
About Chronos®
Chronos® is an automated UV-C ultrasound probe High-Level Disinfection (HLD) system and the first of its kind to receive FDA De Novo classification in the United States. Chronos® replaces complex chemical workflows with a simple three-step process: load, disinfect, and trace. The system delivers chemical-free HLD in a rapid 90-second cycle while supporting reliable, consistent disinfection performance in clinical environments. Designed to simplify probe reprocessing and reduce reliance on chemical HLD consumables, Chronos® helps healthcare organizations improve workflow efficiency while supporting infection prevention practices.
 
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Voice for Infection Prevention is a production of Clutch Recruitment. 
 
Clutch Recruitment, founded by Jacob Hutcherson, is the leading recruiting firm exclusively committed to Infection Prevention & Control recruitment. 
 
Voice for Infection Prevention
Website | https://voiceforip.com
LinkedIn | https://linkedin.com/company/voice-for-infection-prevention
Instagram | https://instagram.com/voiceforinfectionprevention
Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/voiceforip/
Twitter | https://twitter.com/voiceforip
Tik Tok | https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceforip
 
Clutch Recruitment
Jacob Hutcherson | https://linkedin.com/in/jacob-hutcherson
Jonnie Jacobs | https://linkedin.com/in/jonnie-jacobs
Jordan Turner | https://linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-3ab7731a8
Website | https://clutchrecruitment.com
Linkedin | https://linkedin.com/company/clutchrecruitment
Instagram | https://instagram.com/clutchrecruitment
Facebook | https://facebook.com/clutchrecruitment
Twitter | https://twitter.com/clutchREC
 

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today I’m joined by an incredible leader in the field, Melissa Bronstein, whose career journey showcases just how dynamic and evolving Infection Prevention has become.
Melissa’s path started in quality control nursing, but a chance assignment to an infection control training course completely changed her career trajectory. Since then, she’s built an impressive resume, working in academic medical centers, community hospitals, and now system-wide leadership as a Vice President overseeing Infection Prevention across a healthcare system.
In this conversation, we dive into how the role of Infection Prevention has expanded over the years, moving beyond just hand hygiene and isolation to include construction, air quality, environmental hygiene, and complex regulatory compliance. Melissa shares her insights on career progression, mentorship, and how Infection Preventionists can advocate for leadership support in their organizations.
We also discuss the lasting impact of COVID-19 on the profession, and how IPs can maintain their influence in hospital leadership now that the crisis has passed. If you’re looking for career advice, leadership insights, or a fresh perspective on the future of Infection Prevention, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Let’s get started.

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! Today, I’m joined by Jessica Swain, whose career journey is a great example of how diverse backgrounds can bring unique strengths to Infection Prevention.
Jessica started in laboratory science, working in anatomic pathology, microbiology, and research before making the leap into Infection Prevention. She shares how a colleague introduced her to the field, and how she navigated breaking into Infection Prevention as a non-nurse, a challenge many professionals face.
In this conversation, we discuss her transition into system-wide Infection Prevention leadership, her insights on hiring and mentoring new IPs, and the importance of certification, education, and professional involvement. She also shares her work with APIC and the AJIC Science into Practice podcast, encouraging Infection Preventionists to stay engaged with the field.
If you’re interested in career growth, mentorship, and the evolving role of Infection Prevention, this is an episode you won’t want to miss!
Let’s get started.

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! Today, we have an incredible conversation with Maimuna Jatta, whose journey into Infection Prevention is truly inspiring. From starting her career as a nurse in The Gambia to becoming a System Director of Infection Prevention in the United States, Maimuna’s path is a testament to resilience, leadership, and continuous learning.
Maimuna’s transition into Infection Prevention wasn’t immediate—she gained experience in home health, skilled nursing, and community hospitals before actively volunteering with an Infection Prevention team to learn the ropes and break into the field. Her passion for patient safety and public health drove her to earn her CIC certification within a year, rapidly advancing into a senior leadership role during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In this conversation, we discuss how she navigated the challenges of credentialing in a new country, built a structured Infection Prevention program across multiple hospitals, and advocated for dedicated Infection Prevention resources in healthcare systems. She also shares valuable advice for aspiring IPs, emphasizing the importance of mentorship, adaptability, and proactive learning.
If you’re looking for insights on career growth, leadership in Infection Prevention, and the evolving role of IPs in healthcare, this is an interview you won’t want to miss!
Let’s get into it.

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today we’re joined by the incomparable Connie Cutler—a pioneer with more than 40 years in Infection Prevention and a career that spans rural hospitals, major academic centers, and multi-hospital systems.
Connie’s path into Infection Prevention is anything but typical. Armed with a master’s in biology, she began her healthcare career as a nurse’s aide in a 46-bed Nebraska hospital—eventually becoming the facility’s part-time Infection Preventionist and recovery room nurse. From there, her career skyrocketed, taking on management roles at 450+ and 750-bed hospitals, overseeing teams, navigating the emergence of HIV, and later leading Infection Prevention across eight hospitals during major system mergers.
In this episode, Connie reflects on what it was like to practice IP during the early days of HIV, her transition into leadership, and how she’s balanced infection prevention with employee health—even amid national outbreaks and organizational change. With deep insights on mentorship, burnout, and what makes someone “IP material,” this conversation is a must-listen for anyone interested in growing in the field.
Let’s dive in.

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today we have an incredible guest who has made a lasting impact in the field of Infection Prevention.
Christine Lacerna started her journey in a way many of you can likely relate to—stumbling into Infection Prevention without knowing just how vast and complex it really is. From navigating construction-related infection control early in her career to earning her Doctor of Nursing Practice and stepping into a corporate leadership role, Christine has built a career defined by growth, mentorship, and innovation.
In this conversation, she shares how she approaches hiring Infection Preventionists, why she believes diverse backgrounds can bring fresh perspectives to the field, and how her organization is creating structured training programs to help new IPs succeed.
If you’re looking for insight into leadership, professional growth, and the future of Infection Prevention, 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 we’re diving into an inspiring conversation with Angel Mueller, a leader who has shaped Infection Prevention at both the hospital and system-wide levels.
Angel’s journey into Infection Prevention started with a strong background in microbiology and public health, but it wasn’t until an epidemiology course and internship experience that she discovered her true passion for the field. She began her career as the first non-nurse Infection Preventionist at her hospital, quickly expanding her role and taking on leadership responsibilities.
In this interview, Angel shares how she advocated for leadership opportunities in Infection Prevention, built a multi-hospital Infection Prevention program, and transitioned into a system-wide leadership role overseeing 17 hospitals, 375+ ambulatory clinics, and home care services. She also offers valuable advice on mentorship, career growth, and the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone in Infection Prevention.
If you’re interested in career advancement, leadership development, and the future of Infection Prevention, you won’t want to miss this conversation!
Let’s get started.

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today I’m sitting down with Krystal Robinson, a dynamic leader in Infection Prevention with over 15 years of experience in the field.
Krystal’s journey began in public health and health disparities research, with an initial goal of working in healthcare policy. But after shadowing an Infection Preventionist, she discovered a career that blended science, leadership, and patient safety, launching her into a path of mentorship, advocacy, and system-wide Infection Prevention leadership.
In this conversation, Krystal shares how she navigated the field without a clinical background, why she pursued her CIC certification early on, and how she grew from staff-level IP to overseeing Infection Prevention across multiple hospitals. We also dive into her passion for health equity in Infection Prevention, discussing how socioeconomic factors impact infection rates and what hospitals can do to bridge the gap.
If you’re interested in career growth, leadership development, or the future of Infection Prevention, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss!
Let’s dive in.