5 Second Rule Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)

Explore the world of infection prevention and control in the long-term care sector on APIC's 5 Second Rule podcast. This episode features A.C. Burke, a veteran of the public health and healthcare sectors, who shares her passion for infection control in long-term care facilities. From issues of staffing and burnout to the ongoing need for roles dedicated to IP, Burke provides unique insights into the challenges and opportunities facing IPs in long-term care. Tune in to understand more about the importance of infection prevention in these critical healthcare settings, where the need to balance patient safety with quality of life is paramount.
Hosted by:
Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB and Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC
About our Guest:
A.C. Burke, Vice President for Healthcare Quality for RB Health Partners, Inc.
A.C. Burke is the VP for Healthcare Quality for RB Health Partners, Inc. In this role, she consults with long-term care facilities on infection prevention and control policies, procedures, and practices, and provides training to infection preventionists and staff in nursing homes on a variety of infection prevention topics. A.C.’s prior experience includes working as the Director of Infection Prevention for Mayo Clinic Florida and the Healthcare-associated Infection Prevention Program Manager for the Florida Department of Health. She has 25 years of experience in the healthcare field and is nationally board certified in infection control (CIC).
Further Resources:
GAO Report
Press Release
APIC Support of IPC in LTC

In this engaging episode of the Five Second Rule podcast, hosts Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard converse with patient advocate Rosie Bartel, sharing her incredible battle with a persistent MRSA infection, which began as a complication of knee replacement surgery. As a survivor and activist, Rosie's brave story takes us through her grueling journey of surmounting multiple surgeries, hospitalizations, and amputations, underscoring the importance of patient perspective in healthcare and infection control. Listen in to learn more about her crucial role in infection prevention advocacy and the essential changes that resulted from sharing her story.
Hosted by:
Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB
About our Guest:
Rosie Bartel, MA in Educational Leadership, Patient Partner
Rosie is a widow, mother, grandmother and an educator. In August of 2009 she underwent a total right knee replacement that developed into a MRSA staph infection. As Rosie continues to battle this MRSA infection in her body, she is driven to share her story of survival. She believes in helping others with disabilities and other health concerns find their voices. She uses her story to co-design with medical professionals, researchers and to advocate for patients and their caregivers.
Further Resource:
Rosie Bartel: Viewing Infection Data from the Patient's Perspective - YouTube

In this episode of the 5 Second Rule podcast, hosts Lerenza Howard and Kelly Holmes talk with Aayushi Chheda, past president of the Midnight Sun Chapter of APIC, and Talia Lefkowitz, past president of the Greater New York Chapter of APIC, both winners of a 2023 Chapter Excellence Award. Aayushi discusses their successful strategies to revitalize the chapter during the pandemic, while Talia describes the techniques used for ongoing Chapter success. The conversation focuses on networking, implementing surveys to measure educational needs, and strengthening communication for both virtual and in-person meetings in order to build a culture of resiliency and balance.
Hosted by:
Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MPA, CIC, LSSGB
About our Guests:
Aayushi Chheda, MS, MPH, CIC, Supervisor at Providence Alaska Medical Center
Getting connected to other professionals in the field of IP has been an integral part of Aayushi's professional and personal journey in Alaska. In 2021, she assumed leadership roles within the local APIC chapter, serving as President-Elect before becoming President.
Talia Lefkowitz, BSN, RN, CIC, Assistant Director of Infection Prevention at the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City
Talia is the immediate past president of APIC Greater New York Chapter 13, and has enjoyed giving back to the chapter using an innovative and collaborative approach to engage and retain members.
Further resource:
APIC Chapter Information

Are you ready to be inspired by a conversation with Dr. Tania Bubb, APIC's 2024 president? Listen to this podcast to learn about her volunteerism, journey to the APIC presidency, initiatives, and values that she will promote during her leadership. Hear her discuss the importance of trust and collaboration, active listening, and valuing others' lived experiences in the infection prevention and control industry.
Hosted by:
Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB
About our Guest:
Tania Bubb, PhD, RN, CIC, FAPIC
Dr. Tania Bubb is the 2024 APIC President. She is Senior Director of Infection Prevention & Control at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, NY. She has worked as an Infection Preventionist since 2006 at major academic medical centers with responsibilities spanning the continuum of care. She’s served her local and national APIC Board of Directors. Prior to serving at the national level, Dr. Bubb chaired the APIC Professional Development Committee, was a member of the American Journal of Infection Control Editorial Review Board, and APIC’s Practice Resource Editorial Panel. Most recently, Dr. Bubb co-chaired APIC’s Health Inequities and Disparities Taskforce. She is an experienced speaker and author, having presented at local and national APIC events as well as other conferences, and authored publications related to the field of infection prevention and control.
Dr. Bubb received Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Nursing from City University of New York Herbert H. Lehman College and earned a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Nursing from New York University.

Join us as we hear from Rosa Lozano, the chair of APIC's Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force. She discusses her role in assembling the passionate, diverse members of the task force and how they are developing operational guidance to assist infection preventionists and public health professionals in combating novel pathogens and infectious diseases.
Hosted by:
Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB and Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC
About our Guest:
Rosa Lozano, MPH, CIC, Assistant Vice President, Infection Prevention, Methodist Healthcare System
Rosa Lozano joined the Methodist Healthcare System of eight hospitals in 2019. As the Assistant Vice President of Infection Prevention, Rosa mentors a team of hospital Infection Preventionists, champions comprehensive infection prevention programs, and collaborates with healthcare teams to drive patient and healthcare worker safety. Rosa also serves as the Chair of the Emerging Infectious Disease Task Force for the Association for Professionals in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology, representing 15,000 infection prevention members globally. Rosa is also passionate about mentorship and leadership growth for Infection Preventionists, and emerging healthcare leaders.
Rosa received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from The University of Texas, and her Master of Public Health degree in Healthcare Systems, Management, and Policy from the Colorado School of Public Health. She has also served on APIC’s Public Policy Committee, and Communications Committee.
Further Resources:
Emerging Infectious Diseases

Heather Saunders, an Infection Prevention and Control Nurse Consultant and Research Nurse Program Manager, shares personal strategies to navigate and recover from burnout. Through Heather’s experience in healthcare she found her passion for infection prevention and is now creating awareness on the importance of self-care and practical approaches to achieving joy in the job. Join the Five Second Rule podcast to find out how Heather consistently incorporates wellness in her personal and professional life.
Hosted by:
Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB
About our Guest:
Heather Saunders, MPH, RN, CIC
Heather Saunders is an experienced and motivated registered nurse with a master’s degree in public health and a certification in infection control. Striving for excellence in the prevention and control of infectious disease, Heather believes in using innovative and strategic leadership methods to achieve program goals. Currently, Heather is employed with Johns Hopkins University Division of Infectious Diseases as a research nurse program manager, using her expertise to guide research in the prevention and control of infections in health care settings. Additionally, Heather is the owner of Broad Street Prevention, where she serves as an infection prevention consultant. During her off hours, Heather enjoys writing, reading, hiking, and spending time with her friends and family. She is the proud author of the blog, All the Lessons We Learn, where she gives a lyrical accounting of all the beautiful, painful, and transcendent lessons that we learn on this journey we call life.