VIPTA is a statewide infection prevention and control education collaborative, led by the Virginia Healthcare-Associated Infections Advisory Group. Through partnership, VIPTA curates IPC resources for Virginiaâs healthcare, congregate care, and public health settings.
đLet’s Throw an Infection Prevention Party!
International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) is October 19â25 and a great reason to have a party! A simple way to add flare to your celebration is with the brand-new Cheers for Peers certificate. Itâs a ready-to-use tool that makes it easy to spotlight the everyday wins that keep patients, residents, and staff safe. You can hand one out during a huddle, post it on a breakroom bulletin board, or make it part of a bigger party.
Free Tools to Bring the Fun:Â The Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) makes it easy to host your own celebration. The IIPW toolkit offers:
- Fun graphics and posters to brighten up your space.
- Ready-to-use PowerPoint slides to add flair to your next huddle or staff meeting.
- Promotional videos and infographics that spark conversation.
- Daily themes and games to keep the energy high all week long.
Explore and download resources at:Â Infection Prevention and You.
Party Ideas for Your Team
- Kick off the week by surprising a unit with balloons, snacks, and a quick game.
- Hand out Cheers for Peers certificates to celebrate a champion of healthcare infection prevention, an infection-free milestone, great hand hygiene audits, or a colleague who consistently models best practices.
Puzzle It Out! Want to add an extra layer of fun? Create your own infection prevention puzzles for staff to solve using a free site like Puzzel.org. Imagine sending someone a crossword or jigsaw puzzle that, when solved, reveals: âYou won a Cheers for Peers award!â
Why It Matters:Â Celebrating infection prevention wins is more than just fun — it can boost morale and remind your team that every effort counts. As we head into the busy fall respiratory season, a little joy goes a long way in keeping spirits high.
So, gather your balloons, download your graphics, and throw an infection prevention party this IIPW. And donât forget to share your celebrations with VIPTA, weâd love to cheer alongside you!
Target Audience:Â Essential IPC Education Level
⨠Celebrating Virginia’s Infection Prevention Leaders at APIC 2025 Annual Conference
Congratulations to the incredible APIC Virginia members – and all attendees from our state – who represented Virginia with excellence at the APIC 2025 Annual Conference in Phoenix, Arizona!
Their dedication to advancing infection prevention was on full display as they shared their expertise, innovative practices, and real-world insights with colleagues from around the world.
These presenters exemplify the spirit of collaboration and commitment to infection prevention and patient safety that defines our Virginia infection prevention community:
Karen McGoldrick, MT (ASCP), CIC, CHOP of Sentara Leigh Hospital â Presented on âFridays @ 4â highlighting the critical role IPs play in emergency and outbreak responses. Karen was also part of the conference planning committee, and she moderated eight presentation sessions.
Sue Felber, LPN, AAS, CIC and Krista Byalik, BS, CIC of Sentara Health System â Shared findings from âMentorship Adaptations When Team Structure, Experience and Geography Present Unique Barriersâ focused on the importance of mentorship and tailored approach to new IP onboarding.
Maimuna Jatta, MSN, RN, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC of Carilion Clinic â Delivered a session on âTransforming IPC Outcomes Through Strategic Staffing Expansionâ discussing the value of the IPs and how resource allocation for IPC ensures both patient safety and financial stewardship. Maimuna was also named as a Fellow of APIC, joining a list of leaders in the field of infection prevention.
Abigal Cunanan, MS, MLS(ASCP), CPHQ, CIC of Inova Health System â Presented a poster on âRedefining Isolation Practices: Streamlining Discontinuation Protocols for Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in a Multi-Hospital Health Systemâ highlighting a protocol aimed to improve patient experience, reduce excessive personal protective equipment use, and expedite room turnover.
Kathleen Manchin, MPH, BSN, CIC of Carilion Clinic â Shared findings from âEngaging Travel Nurses to Improve Infection Prevention Bundle Compliance and HAI Reductionâ focused on ensuring contract travel nurses follow and adhere to organization-specific infection prevention standards and practices.
Heather Gutierrez, MSI, BSN, RN, CIC of Riverside Health System â Delivered a poster on âImplementation of Copper Silver Ionization System to Control Legionella in a Community Hospital Water Systemâ discussing innovation in healthcare focused on the use of copper silver ionization system in healthcare water system management.
Awards and Accolades: The Virginia Infection Prevention Training Center (VIPTC), led by Kaila Cooper, MSN, RN, CIC of VCU Health brought home to our state the GRAND PRIZE of APIC25 Film Festival with their video submission titled âChain of Transmission with C. difficileâ. Congratulations on shining bright at APIC and highlighting the incredible work at VIPTC.
Each speaker made us proud by contributing to the advancement of infection prevention and control practices not only in Virginia, but globally. Thank you to all the presenters and attendees who represented Virginia at APIC25. Your leadership and knowledge-sharing are vital to our profession and the health of our communities.
