What’s the next step in your career as an IP? Join hosts Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard as they explore APIC’s Career Development and Advancement Guide with experts Chris Zirges and Angel Mueller. This episode is packed with actionable strategies to help you evaluate your skills, build a standout professional portfolio, and navigate every career stage—from paraprofessional to executive. Whether you’re looking to grow your influence or take the leap into a new role, this empowering discussion will give you the tools to shape your future as an IP. Tune in and take your career to the next level!

Resources:
Infection Preventionist Career Development and Advancement Guide

"A framework for defining and documenting infection preventionist competency"

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guests:

Angel Mueller, MPH, CIC, FAPIC

Angel Mueller is a certified Infection Preventionist and APIC Fellow with over 16 years of progressive infection prevention and control and leadership experience. She is the System Director of Infection Prevention at UnityPoint Health where she provides leadership and strategic direction for multiple hospital, ambulatory and home care settings throughout Iowa, western Illinois and southern Wisconsin.

Angel was a member of the APIC Professional Development Committee (PDC) for six years and served as chair of the committee for two of those years. Through her work on the PDC, Angel contributed to the updated APIC IP Competency Model, was a participating author of the article introducing the model and helped develop the Infection Preventionist Career Development and Advancement Guide.

Angel is knowledgeable in the infection prevention competency domains, enjoys developing tools and systems to make infection prevention processes more efficient and effective, and is passionate about advancing the profession and supporting the development of IPs throughout the world.

Christine (Chris) Zirges, DNP, ACNS-BC, CIC, FAPIC

Chris is currently the System Director of Infection Prevention for SSM Health. Professional endeavors include past board member of the Certification Board of Infection Control (CBIC), current Chair of the APIC Professional Development Committee, board member on the Board of Directors for the Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC), and the HAI Advisory Council through the University of Missouri (Sinclair School of Nursing).

She is certified in infection prevention (CIC), board-certified as an advanced practice nurse (ACNS-BC), and a Fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (FAPIC). Her doctoral focus was on reducing the number of indwelling urinary catheter days. Her experience includes practicing infection prevention in many settings, which made integrating a corporate-wide program a natural next step. Chris's interests include standardization of work and sustainment of clinical interventions. The structure and processes of a high-functioning infection prevention and control program are a key driver of success. She is from Kirkwood Missouri and proud parent of two young men – so now an empty nester!

Tune into this episode of the 5 Second Rule Podcast where hosts Lerenza Howard and Kelly Holmes interview Dr. Carol McLay, a leading infection prevention expert and 2025 APIC President. Hear about Dr. McLay's inspiring career journey including her experiences during the AIDS epidemic and the Ebola outbreak. Listen to her vision to strengthen infection prevention and control programs during her term as the 2025 APIC President. Join us for a captivating conversation on lifelong learning, global health, and sustainable preparedness.

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guest:

Carol M. McLay, DrPH, MPH, RN, FAPIC, CIC

Dr. Carol McLay is a leading expert in infection prevention, healthcare epidemiology, and public health, with 30 years of experience advancing clinical practice, education, and research. A passionate advocate for certification and professional development, she is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of infection preventionists.

Dr. McLay is the author of several foundational resources, including The Infection Prevention Competency Review Guide, 4th Edition, and APIC’s Certification Study Guides (5th–7th editions). She will serve as the 2025 APIC President and currently holds leadership roles on the International Federation for Infection Control (IFIC) Board of Directors and the AJIC Editorial Board.

Certified in Infection Control (CIC), a Fellow of both APIC and SHEA, and a certified ISO 9001 Lead Auditor, Dr. McLay brings a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the field. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Ottawa (Canada), her Master of Public Health from Emory University, and her Doctorate of Public Health from the University of Kentucky.

In this special holiday edition, hosts Lerenza Howard and Kelly Holmes welcome Rebecca Taylor Alvino, a board-certified infection preventionist and perioperative nurse at UCSF Health. Rebecca shares her inspiring journey from a public health background to a focused career in surgical infection prevention. Rebecca dives into the challenges of infection control, innovative technologies, and key performance indicators that enhance productivity and minimize immediate-use steam sterilization. Rebecca offers practical advice for infection preventionists when rounding in the sterile processing department, strategies to foster collaboration, and insights regarding IPs who are considering certification in sterile processing along with appropriate competencies for SPD staff. Don’t miss Rebecca’s forward-looking perspective on the evolving field of sterile processing and its critical partnership with infection prevention.

Hosted by:

Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC, FAPIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB

About our Guest:

Rebecca Alvino, RN, MS, CNS, CIC, CNOR, CRCST, FAPIC

Rebecca Taylor Alvino is a board-certified infection preventionist and perioperative nurse, experiences that serve her well in her current role as System Director of Sterile Processing at UCSF Health in San Francisco. She is active with APIC, currently serving as the President-Elect for the San Francisco Bay Area chapter and most recently co-authoring the recently released update to the APIC Text Online chapter, “Reprocessing Single-Use Devices”.

This episode is sponsored by Solventum.