Research, Reality, and the DHSc: Dr. Lerenza Howard on Leveling Up in IP
Release Date: 12/22/2025
On Pathogens & PPE: Taking the Lead in SPD
Transmission Control
You’re doing the work. You’re solving the problems. Now it’s time to take the lead! On this Season 2 finale of “On Pathogens & PPE,” host Jill Holdsworth is joined by Kelly Zabriskie, Lee Smith, Dr. Kevin Bush, and David Jagrosse to take a closer look at what leadership really means in Sterile Processing. From finding your voice and building confidence to forming partnerships and stepping beyond the walls of SPD, this group shares what it takes to grow as a leader at every level. Whether you're stepping into your first leadership role or leading with years of experience, this...
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On Pathogens & PPE: Assembly Without Disruptions
Transmission Control
You’re building a tray. The phone rings. Someone needs an update. You step away… and just like that, the process breaks. On this week’s episode of “On Pathogens & PPE,” host Jill Holdsworth and co-host Katie Belski are joined by Art Babiy, Jennifer Greisen, and Ebow Holdbrook-Smith to talk through the real challenges #CleanFreaks are facing in assembly areas. From stepping away mid-tray and chasing down tools to managing constant distractions and pressure from the OR, this conversation calls out the moments where processes can break down and how your team can stay on track. If...
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On Pathogens & PPE: Why Brush Selection Matters
Transmission Control
Think one brush fits all? Think again! On this week’s episode of “On Pathogens & PPE,” hosts Jill Holdsworth and Trevor Hazen are joined by Nelson Winter, Emily Barnard, and Ron Hunsucker to take a closer look at how brush selection, sizing, and technique impact your manual cleaning process. From choosing the right brush size and type to knowing when a brush has reached the end of its life, this group calls out the habits that can quietly compromise your workflows. They also highlight how training, storage, and daily practices can make or break consistency across your team. Grab your...
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Beyond the Bundle: The Hidden Risk in Every Foley
Transmission Control
We’ve built the bundles. We’ve driven compliance. So why are CAUTI rates still plateauing? In the Season Finale of Transmission Control, we challenge one of the most familiar frameworks in infection prevention and expose a critical blind spot hiding in plain sight. Joined by Amy Huser and Dr. Kelly Hyatt, this episode dives into the overlooked risks within the Foley catheter system—specifically the drain and collection “pocket” that may be quietly driving intraluminal contamination. With insights into biofilm formation, patient transport risks, and early data showing promising...
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On Pathogens & PPE: What’s Hiding in Your Lumens
Transmission Control
You followed the IFU. You brushed. You flushed. So it’s clean… right? On this week’s episode of “On Pathogens & PPE,” hosts Jill Holdsworth and Brandon Gantt are teaming up with Aaron Preston, Cheron Rojo, and Jahan Azizi to take a closer look at what’s hiding inside your lumen instruments. As more departments adopt borescopes, teams are uncovering retained debris, moisture, and internal damage that would have otherwise gone unnoticed, even when reprocessing steps were correctly followed. From understanding what you’re seeing to knowing what to do when something doesn’t...
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Another Fix in the Wall: Mildew, Moisture, and Mold Remediation
Transmission Control
When it comes to the built environment, what you don’t see can absolutely hurt you. In this episode of Transmission Control, we take on one of the most misunderstood (and often overreacted to) topics in healthcare: mold. Joined by industrial hygienist Nate Sanders and infection preventionist Aaron Preston, we break down what’s really happening behind ceiling tiles, inside walls, and across the water systems that support patient care. From subtle signs like bubbling wall panels to major water intrusion events, this conversation moves beyond panic and into practical action. What actually...
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On Pathogens & PPE: Getting Sterile Storage Right
Transmission Control
Peel pouches hanging from clips, dust collecting in bins, trays stacked just a little too high… sound familiar? When it comes to sterile storage, small shortcuts can lead to big risks. On this episode of “On Pathogens & PPE,” host Jill Holdsworth and co-host Mark Copeland sit down with Tiffany Reece, Malinda Elammari, and Kendall Ashe to dive into the storage challenges showing up in sterile storage areas right now. From creative (but risky) space solutions to confusion around probe storage and vendor access, this group shares where things are breaking down and where teams can make...
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Re-Orienting the Roadmap: Navigating the IP Orientation Checklist
Transmission Control
What if IP orientation felt less like trial by fire and more like a clear, intentional starting point? In this episode of the Transmission Control, we’re joined by Kelsey Ostergren and Noreen Mollon to explore how APIC transformed the Novice IP Roadmap into a practical Orientation Checklist designed for real-world onboarding. After learning that the roadmap was valuable but underused, APIC reframed the tool to be task-oriented, intentional, and applicable across care settings. Noreen and Kelsey break down how the checklist supports brand-new IPs, seasoned professionals entering new roles,...
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On Pathogens & PPE: Decontam Under Pressure
Transmission Control
Stacks of vendor trays arriving without warning, stat turnaround instruments soaking in the sink, and techs scrolling through 100+ documents to find the right IFU… welcome to decontam! In this episode of “On Pathogens & PPE,” host Jill Holdsworth and co-host Michael Matthews are joined by Trevor Hazen, Jake McHugh, and Katie Belski to take a closer look at what’s happening in today’s decontamination workflows. From conflicting IFUs and training gaps to communication breakdowns between SPD and the OR, this crew breaks down what’s impacting your process and how your team can...
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Sequential Solutions: Whole Genome Sequencing and the Future of IP
Transmission Control
What if you could detect an outbreak before anyone realized one existed? In this episode of Transmission Control, we sit down with Alex Sundermann to explore how genomic surveillance is changing the way we identify and stop healthcare-associated transmission. Through a comprehensive surveillance program, Alex’s team discovered that most suspected outbreaks weren't actually outbreaks, and that dozens of real transmission events were going completely undetected. From C. diff patterns in the same unit to endoscope-related spread, Alex breaks down how DNA-level insight reshapes resource...
info_outlineWhat does it look like to become an IP with a terminal degree? In this episode of Transmission Control’s Victory Lap series, Garrett Hollembeak and Jill Holdsworth sit down with Dr. Lerenza Howard, Manager of Infection Prevention, Employee Health, and Quality Improvement at La Rabida Children’s Hospital. Dr. Lerenza guides us through her journey to earning her doctorate in Health Science while working full-time in IP, raising a family, and staying active in professional organizations. She shares how doctoral training sharpened her research skills, transformed how she approaches evidence-based practice, and led to her dissertation on IP experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation digs into qualitative vs. quantitative research, realistic expectations about what a terminal degree will and won’t do for your career, and how to align advanced education with a clear “why.” If you’re an IP who is curious about a doctorate, this episode offers a candid, encouraging look at what a true professional victory lap can look like.
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