Voice for Infection Prevention

Conversation with Maureen Spencer, MEd, BSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! Today, I’m joined by Maureen Spencer, a longtime leader in Infection Prevention whose career has spanned decades of change across healthcare, from the early days of hospital infection control to corporate leadership, consulting, education, and beyond. Maureen’s story is especially unique because she entered the field at a remarkably young age, helping build an Infection Prevention program early in her career and going on to lead across academic medical centers, specialty hospitals, and multi-hospital systems. Along the way, she developed a perspective on Infection Prevention that is both deeply practical and deeply human — shaped by years of clinical experience, leadership, teaching, and a strong belief that changing behavior is at the heart of this work.  In this conversation, Maureen shares how the profession has evolved over time, what she believes Infection Prevention has gotten right, where she believes the field may have gone off track, and why training, reporting structure, and professional identity still matter so much today. We also talk about team design, the value of strong clinical understanding, and her belief that effective Infection Prevention programs are built not just on data, but on education, influence, relationship-building, and culture change.     If you’re interested in the history of the profession, leadership in Infection Prevention, and thoughtful perspectives on where the field should go next, 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 [https://voiceforip.com/] LinkedIn | https://linkedin.com/company/voice-for-infection-prevention [https://linkedin.com/company/voice-for-infection-prevention] Instagram | https://instagram.com/voiceforinfectionprevention [https://instagram.com/voiceforinfectionprevention] Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/voiceforip/ [https://www.facebook.com/voiceforip/] Twitter | https://twitter.com/voiceforip [https://twitter.com/voiceforip] Tik Tok | https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceforip [https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceforip] Clutch Recruitment Jacob Hutcherson | https://linkedin.com/in/jacob-hutcherson [https://linkedin.com/in/jacob-hutcherson] Jonnie Jacobs | https://linkedin.com/in/jonnie-jacobs [https://linkedin.com/in/jonnie-jacobs] Jordan Turner | https://linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-3ab7731a8 [https://linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-3ab7731a8] Website | https://clutchrecruitment.com [https://clutchrecruitment.com/] Linkedin | https://linkedin.com/company/clutchrecruitment [https://linkedin.com/company/clutchrecruitment] Instagram | https://instagram.com/clutchrecruitment [https://instagram.com/clutchrecruitment] Facebook | https://facebook.com/clutchrecruitment [https://facebook.com/clutchrecruitment] Twitter | https://twitter.com/clutchREC [https://twitter.com/clutchREC]

Conversation with Alisha Sheffield, MSN, RN, AL-CIP, CIC and Lauren Musil, BSN, RN

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. _________________________ 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 [https://voiceforip.com] LinkedIn | https://linkedin.com/company/voice-for-infection-prevention [https://linkedin.com/company/voice-for-infection-prevention] Instagram | https://instagram.com/voiceforinfectionprevention [https://instagram.com/voiceforinfectionprevention] Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/voiceforip/ [https://www.facebook.com/voiceforip/] Twitter | https://twitter.com/voiceforip [https://twitter.com/voiceforip] Tik Tok | https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceforip [https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceforip] Clutch Recruitment Jacob Hutcherson | https://linkedin.com/in/jacob-hutcherson [https://linkedin.com/in/jacob-hutcherson] Jonnie Jacobs | https://linkedin.com/in/jonnie-jacobs [https://linkedin.com/in/jonnie-jacobs] Jordan Turner | https://linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-3ab7731a8 [https://linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-3ab7731a8] Website | https://clutchrecruitment.com [https://clutchrecruitment.com] Linkedin | https://linkedin.com/company/clutchrecruitment [https://linkedin.com/company/clutchrecruitment] Instagram | https://instagram.com/clutchrecruitment [https://instagram.com/clutchrecruitment] Facebook | https://facebook.com/clutchrecruitment [https://facebook.com/clutchrecruitment] Twitter | https://twitter.com/clutchREC [https://twitter.com/clutchREC]

Conversation with Lerenza Howard, DHSc, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

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 [https://voiceforip.com] LinkedIn | https://linkedin.com/company/voice-for-infection-prevention [https://linkedin.com/company/voice-for-infection-prevention] Instagram | https://instagram.com/voiceforinfectionprevention [https://instagram.com/voiceforinfectionprevention] Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/voiceforip/ [https://www.facebook.com/voiceforip/] Twitter | https://twitter.com/voiceforip [https://twitter.com/voiceforip] Tik Tok | https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceforip [https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceforip] Clutch Recruitment Jacob Hutcherson | https://linkedin.com/in/jacob-hutcherson [https://linkedin.com/in/jacob-hutcherson] Jonnie Jacobs | https://linkedin.com/in/jonnie-jacobs [https://linkedin.com/in/jonnie-jacobs] Jordan Turner | https://linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-3ab7731a8 [https://linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-3ab7731a8] Website | https://clutchrecruitment.com [https://clutchrecruitment.com] Linkedin | https://linkedin.com/company/clutchrecruitment [https://linkedin.com/company/clutchrecruitment] Instagram | https://instagram.com/clutchrecruitment [https://instagram.com/clutchrecruitment] Facebook | https://facebook.com/clutchrecruitment [https://facebook.com/clutchrecruitment] Twitter | https://twitter.com/clutchREC [https://twitter.com/clutchREC]

Conversation with Michele Pedrani, MS, BSN, RN, CIC

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 [https://voiceforip.com] LinkedIn | https://linkedin.com/company/voice-for-infection-prevention [https://linkedin.com/company/voice-for-infection-prevention] Instagram | https://instagram.com/voiceforinfectionprevention [https://instagram.com/voiceforinfectionprevention] Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/voiceforip/ [https://www.facebook.com/voiceforip/] Twitter | https://twitter.com/voiceforip [https://twitter.com/voiceforip] Tik Tok | https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceforip [https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceforip]   Clutch Recruitment Jacob Hutcherson | https://linkedin.com/in/jacob-hutcherson [https://linkedin.com/in/jacob-hutcherson] Jonnie Jacobs | https://linkedin.com/in/jonnie-jacobs [https://linkedin.com/in/jonnie-jacobs] Jordan Turner | https://linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-3ab7731a8 [https://linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-3ab7731a8] Website | https://clutchrecruitment.com [https://clutchrecruitment.com] Linkedin | https://linkedin.com/company/clutchrecruitment [https://linkedin.com/company/clutchrecruitment] Instagram | https://instagram.com/clutchrecruitment  [https://instagram.com/clutchrecruitment]  Facebook | https://facebook.com/clutchrecruitment [https://facebook.com/clutchrecruitment] Twitter | https://twitter.com/clutchREC [https://twitter.com/clutchREC]

Conversation with Eileen Sherman, MS, CIC, FAPIC

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 [https://voiceforip.com] LinkedIn | https://linkedin.com/company/voice-for-infection-prevention [https://linkedin.com/company/voice-for-infection-prevention] Instagram | https://instagram.com/voiceforinfectionprevention [https://instagram.com/voiceforinfectionprevention] Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/voiceforip/ [https://www.facebook.com/voiceforip/] Twitter | https://twitter.com/voiceforip [https://twitter.com/voiceforip] Tik Tok | https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceforip [https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceforip]   Clutch Recruitment Jacob Hutcherson | https://linkedin.com/in/jacob-hutcherson [https://linkedin.com/in/jacob-hutcherson] Jonnie Jacobs | https://linkedin.com/in/jonnie-jacobs [https://linkedin.com/in/jonnie-jacobs] Jordan Turner | https://linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-3ab7731a8 [https://linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-3ab7731a8] Website | https://clutchrecruitment.com [https://clutchrecruitment.com] Linkedin | https://linkedin.com/company/clutchrecruitment [https://linkedin.com/company/clutchrecruitment] Instagram | https://instagram.com/clutchrecruitment  [https://instagram.com/clutchrecruitment]  Facebook | https://facebook.com/clutchrecruitment [https://facebook.com/clutchrecruitment] Twitter | https://twitter.com/clutchREC [https://twitter.com/clutchREC]