What if you could transform the way you think about infection prevention? Join Jess Fargher as she teams up with Barbara Smith and Kelsey Ostergren from the APIC Emerging Infectious Disease Task Force to explore their mission of tackling emerging threats. Discover how these 'superheroes' equip infection preventionists with vital tools and resources needed to stay ahead in an ever-evolving healthcare landscape. This episode is packed with insights, laughter, and a call to action for all IPs! Hosted by: Jess Fargher About our Guests: Kelsey P. Ostergren, MPH, CIC Kelsey P. Ostergren, MPH, CIC, is the Sr. Director of Health Policy at the Michigan Health and Hospital Association (MHA), where she oversees infection prevention efforts for 180+ member hospitals statewide. She has led initiatives in healthcare quality improvement, adult education, data analytics, and grant management, and has expertise in National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) data analysis. Drawing on her public health training and certification in infection control, Kelsey shapes state and federal policies affecting healthcare operations, service delivery, patient safety and infection control practices. She is passionate about ensuring clinical best practices for infection control are reflected in state policies, to enable healthcare providers to deliver safe and timely care. Kelsey serves on the executive board of the APIC Great Lakes Chapter, National APIC's Emerging Infectious Disease Taskforce and is in the middle of her second term on the Education Committee. Barbara A. Smith, RN, BSN, MPA, CIC, FAPIC Barbara A. Smith, RN, BSN, MPA, CIC, FAPIC is the president of BA Smith Consulting, LLC which provides infection prevention support to ambulatory surgery, endoscopy and dialysis centers in the New York metropolitan area. She has also worked with IPRO, a quality improvement organization, to provide on-site visits to long term care facilities. She was an infection preventionist at the Mount Sinai Morningside and Mount Sinai West campuses in New York City where she also served as the infection prevention consultant for Mount Sinai International. Ms. Smith has provided infection prevention consultation to the Kuwait Ministry of Health. As an APIC consultant, Ms. Smith has trained staff at major New York City hospitals on personal protective equipment used when caring for patients with high consequence pathogens. She served on the Board of Directors for the national Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology. She is a member of APIC's Emerging Infectious Disease Task Force and a clinical editor of the APIC Text Online. A graduate of Hunter College and New York University, she served on the Advisory Board of Medical Reserve Corps of New York City and the American Council for St. Luke's International Hospital in Tokyo. She served on the clinical advisory board of COVID SMART and Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council.
