The Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program, part of the Division of Clinical Epidemiology, was established at the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) in 2009.
The HAI/AR Program's mission is to safeguard patients and healthcare staff in Virginia by preventing healthcare-associated and antimicrobial-resistant infections, with the vision of ensuring a safe healthcare environment throughout the state.
What We Do
Surveillance - Monitor the spread of diseases and their changes over time
Investigation - Quickly look into and address infections and outbreaks to stop them from spreading
Communication & Education - Boost knowledge and skills about infection prevention and using antibiotics wisely
Collaboration - Work with stakeholders to share resources and expertise
Meet The Team
HAI/AR Program Manager
Shaina Bernard, PharmD, BCPS - Interim HAI Program Manager
HAI/AR & Antimicrobial Stewardship Unit
Shaina Bernard, PharmD, BCPS - Antimicrobial Resistance & Stewardship Program Manager
- Victoria Geissinger, MPH - Antimicrobial Stewardship Data Analyst
- Emily Hawker, MPH - CSTE HAI EPI Fellow
- Carolyn Kiefer, RN, BSN, CIC - HAI/AR Nurse Epidemiologist
- Allison O'Rourke, MPH - MDRO Prevention Epidemiologist
- Emily Valencia, MPH - Antimicrobial Resistance & Stewardship Epidemiologist
- Jacqueline Williams, MPH - HAI Epidemiologist
- Joshua Benton, MPH - HAI Data Analyst
Infection Prevention and Control Unit
Angela Spleen, PhD - Infection Prevention & Control Program Manager
- Suzanne Capps, RN - Dialysis IP Coordinator
- Andrea Chapman, MPH, CHOP, CIC - Regional Infection Prevention Coordinator
- Smrithi Chikkala, MBBS, MPH - HAI/AR Communications Specialist
- Victoria Nichols, MPH - Infection Prevention Epidemiologist
- Ginger Vanhoozer, BSN, RN, CIC - HAI/AR Education & Training Specialist
Programmatic Support
Lindsey Lambert - HAI/AR Program Administration & Grant Coordinator
- Debra Bennett, BS - HAI/AR Contract Manager
- Laura Robertson, BS - HAI/AR Administrative Assistant
Contact Us
Opens pdf to download
Opens document to download
Opens in a new window
External link will open in new window. Click link to exit Virginia Department of Health Website.