Why Educator of the Year?
Infection Control Today?
Infection Control Today? provides expert information and content for infection prevention and control professionals.
Just shy of 3 years ago, I began my job at Infection Control Today? (ICT?). Before I came to ICT, most of my career involved working alongside health care workers, even when I was never at the bedside. Among other jobs, I taught at a couple of local colleges, worked at a medical supply house, and was the executive editor of a magazine on mental health disorders.
However, throughout those years, I had never heard of infection preventionists, sterile processing technicians, or environmental hygienists until I came to ICT. I quickly learned about all the positions, and the one thing I heard the most was that infection prevention and control (IPC) personnel taught others.
Education is indeed the cornerstone of infection prevention. In a world increasingly vulnerable to emerging pathogens and resistant microbes, the role of IPC educators has never been more critical.
Teaching others—patients or fellow health care workers—is critical to IPC personnel’s job. The teaching didn’t have to happen in a classroom or a conference room. Sometimes, it happens next to the sink to remind others to wash their hands or to use one cleaner instead of another because the first doesn’t eradicate the pathogen the patient has.
As a previous instructor, I suspected their teaching was not as appreciated as it should be, but I didn’t know how ICT could do that. When I spoke with Karen Hoffmann,?MS, RN, CIC, FSHEA, FAPIC, at the University of North Carolina School of Medicine in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, she told me she was the first Infection Control Today Educator of the Year Award winner.
I had never heard of it, and neither had anyone on our team. It had been before we were acquired my MJH Lifesciences. So, I did some research and realized I’d found a way to honor the IPC educators.
In 2023, ICT resurrected the Educator Award.
The Significance of the Infection Control Today Educator of the Year Award
As I’d realized, education is the cornerstone of infection prevention. In a world increasingly vulnerable to emerging pathogens and resistant microbes, the role of infection prevention educators has never been more critical. We brought back the Infection Control Today Educator of the Year Award to recognize individuals who embody excellence, innovation, and dedication in educating health care professionals and patients about infection prevention practices. Here’s why this award is so vital to the health care community and beyond.
Infection prevention educators are tasked with bridging the gap between complex scientific knowledge and practical, actionable strategies that health care workers can implement daily. The Educator of the Year award highlights individuals who excel in this demanding role, inspiring others to prioritize and perfect infection prevention measures. By celebrating excellence, the award sets a benchmark for quality education, motivating others to follow suit and continually improve.
While frontline health care workers are rightly celebrated for their tireless efforts, the educators behind the scenes are often overlooked. These professionals ensure that every nurse, doctor, technician, and environmental services worker understands how to protect themselves and their patients. The Infection Control Today Educator of the Year award recognizes these educators and highlights their critical contributions to health care safety.
Because IPC is an ever-evolving field with new pathogens emerging, antimicrobial resistance growing, and health care practices changing, educators must stay ahead by developing and disseminating innovative teaching methods and up-to-date protocols. The Educator of the Year award encourages and rewards creativity, ensuring that IPC education evolves alongside the challenges it seeks to address.
The award also serves as a reminder of education's fundamental role in health care. Knowledgeable staff are the first line of defense against health care-associated infections (HAIs), antibiotic misuse, and other threats. By highlighting the importance of education through this award, ICT reinforces the message that training and education are not optional but essential components of any infection prevention program.
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The Infection Control Today Educator of the Year Award isn’t just about recognizing one individual; it’s about inspiring a community. By showcasing the achievements of outstanding educators, the award motivates others to strive for excellence in their educational efforts. It fosters a learning and continuous improvement culture essential for maintaining high IPC standards.
The ripple effects of infection prevention education extend far beyond the walls of health care facilities. Effective training reduces HAIs, improves patient outcomes, and enhances workplace safety, ultimately benefiting public health. By recognizing and elevating IPC educators, the award contributes to the broader mission of safeguarding communities from infectious diseases.
Finally, the Infection Control Today Educator of the Year Award provides a platform for advocacy. Award recipients often become role models and spokespeople for the field, using their recognition to raise awareness about the importance of infection prevention education. Their voices carry weight, influencing policy decisions and encouraging investment in IPC programs.
Winners of the Infection Control Today Educator of the Year Award
2009: Frank Myers, III
2007: Marcia Ryder, PhD, RN
2005: Maureen Zilles, RN
2004: Diane Zalasko, MSN, RN
The Infection Control Today Educator of the Year Award is far more than a recognition of individual achievement. It’s a celebration of the transformative power of education in infection prevention, a call to action for continuous improvement, and a beacon of hope for a safer, healthier future. By honoring the best in the field, ICT underscores education's critical role in the fight against infectious diseases and in shaping a resilient health care system.
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