Voice for Infection Prevention

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! Today’s episode is a little different from the conversations we usually have, and I’m really excited to share it with you. Instead of focusing on one individual career journey, this episode is centered on a practical resource and a broader effort to support Infection Preventionists across the country. 
I’m joined by Alisha Sheffield and Lauren Musil, two Infection Preventionists from Nebraska Medicine whose work has expanded beyond the traditional hospital-based IP role into grant-funded education, tool development, and resource support designed specifically for Infection Prevention professionals — especially those working in smaller, under-resourced, or more isolated settings. 
In this conversation, we talk about how their work evolved out of the pandemic, what they’ve learned about the needs of today’s Infection Prevention workforce, and how their team has built tools and educational resources to help bridge some very real gaps in onboarding, training, and day-to-day support. This is a really valuable discussion for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the scope of Infection Prevention, struggled to find practical guidance, or wondered how we can better support both new and experienced IPs in the field. 
If you’re interested in the future of Infection Prevention education, accessible resources, and the kinds of innovation that can help strengthen the profession as a whole, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Let’s dive in.
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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 Lerenza Howard, an Infection Prevention leader whose career journey brings such a thoughtful and encouraging perspective to the field.
Lerenza came into Infection Prevention from a microbiology background, and her story is a great example of how valuable non-nursing pathways can be in this profession. From clinical laboratory work to starting her Infection Prevention career in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, her path reflects both the complexity of the role and the level of resilience, curiosity, and critical thinking it takes to grow in it. 
In this conversation, Lerenza shares what it was like to enter Infection Prevention during one of the most intense seasons healthcare has faced, how she built confidence as a non-nurse in a field that has historically leaned heavily toward nursing backgrounds, and what helped her develop the clinical knowledge, leadership skills, and professional presence needed to succeed. We also talk about certification, mentorship, APIC involvement, career advancement, and why relationship-building and continuous learning are so essential in this work. 
If you’re interested in nontraditional paths into Infection Prevention, leadership growth, and practical encouragement for both new and aspiring IPs, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Let’s dive in.
_________________________
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 Michele Pedrani, an Infection Prevention leader whose career journey offers such an honest and practical look at growth, resilience, and what it really takes to build a long-term career in this field.
Michele began her career in nursing and spent many years in clinical and education roles before eventually finding her way into Infection Prevention. What makes her story especially compelling is not just the transition itself, but everything that followed — growing into the role over time, stepping into leadership during an incredibly difficult season, rebuilding teams through major challenges, and continuing to advocate for both patient safety and the value of the Infection Prevention profession. 
In this conversation, Michele shares what surprised her most when she first entered the field, why Infection Prevention is so much more complex than many people realize, and what kinds of backgrounds and personality traits can make someone successful in the role. We also talk about leadership, staffing, mentorship, hiring, and the importance of keeping the door open for professionals from outside of nursing who have the skills to thrive in Infection Prevention.
If you’re interested in career growth, leadership under pressure, and the real-world challenges and purpose behind this work, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Let’s dive in.
_________________________
 
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! Today, I’m joined by Eileen Sherman, a longtime Infection Prevention leader whose career path offers such a thoughtful and encouraging perspective on growth in this field.
Eileen’s story is especially compelling because she entered Infection Prevention from a clinical microbiology background at a time when that path was far less common. Over the course of her career, she has served in roles ranging from solo Infection Preventionist to system-level leadership, building programs, leading teams, and helping shape how organizations think about the value of diverse backgrounds within Infection Prevention.
In this conversation, Eileen shares how she found her way into the profession, what it was like learning the role as a non-nurse, and how she built confidence over time through preparation, partnership, and a willingness to keep learning. We also talk about leadership growth, what makes someone successful in Infection Prevention, and why the strongest teams often bring together different perspectives, experiences, and skill sets.
If you’ve ever wondered how people grow into leadership in this field, how diverse backgrounds can strengthen an Infection Prevention program, or what makes this work such a meaningful long-term career, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Let’s dive in.
_________________________
 
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 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.
_________________________
 
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! 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.
_________________________
 
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 

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.
 
_________________________
 
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.