Infection Control Is Public Health: From Practice to Impact

Please join the College's Section on Public Health and Preventive Medicine for this installment of its Health and Community Program Series (formerly Grand Rounds): "Infection Control Is Public Health: From Practice to Impact."

 

Event Details 

The Health and Community Program Series is a free educational experience offered by The College of Physicians of Philadelphia.

About the Program:
The aim of this program is to examine infection prevention as a field of public health practice, review its fundamental principles, and highlight its multidisciplinary scope beyond hospital policies and guidelines. This program is intended for healthcare providers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, public health professionals, and students interested in infection prevention, patient safety, and population health. This online event will be held virtually through Zoom. 

Learning Objectives: 

• Describe the foundational principles and core functions of infection prevention and control, including the chain of infection, hand hygiene, isolation precautions, reprocessing, surveillance, and healthcare-associated infection prevention.
• Analyze how infection preventionists apply public health competencies, including epidemiology, surveillance, outbreak investigation, environmental health education, policy, and program evaluation, to prevent infection at the patient, healthcare-facility, and community levels.
• Examine the evolving multidisciplinary infection prevention workforce and identify the competencies and career pathways through which public health, nursing, microbiology, and other professionals enter and contribute to the field. 

About the Speakers:

Presenters

Randy R. Persaud, MPH, CIC, CDI, is an Infection Preventionist at Jefferson Health with experience in healthcare-associated infection surveillance and prevention, outbreak investigation, hand hygiene, and quality improvement across acute-care, perioperative, and ambulatory settings. He chairs multidisciplinary committees and leads initiatives to strengthen infection prevention practices and improve patient safety. A published author, adjunct professor, and guest lecturer, Randy is passionate about advancing infection prevention as an applied public health discipline. He is a recipient of APIC’s 2026 Emerging Leader in Infection Prevention Award.

Jack S. Evans, MPH, is an Infection Preventionist at Jefferson Health with experience in healthcare-associated infection surveillance, outbreak investigation, regulatory compliance, and quality improvement. His work spans clinical and perioperative settings, where he collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to implement evidence-based practices, provide infection prevention education, and strengthen patient safety. A published author, Jack also serves as the infection prevention lead on several hospital-wide committees, supporting initiatives that advance infection prevention practices and improve healthcare quality.

Kelly Romano, MPH, CIC, is the Associate Vice President of Infection Prevention at Jefferson Health. Beginning her career in public health investigating infectious diseases and outbreaks, she has advanced through roles in infection prevention and patient safety leadership for over 20 years. Kelly is Certified in Infection Control, a national speaker, published author, and recipient of the APIC Heroes of Infection Prevention Award. She is passionate about connecting public health principles with safer healthcare delivery.

Moderators

Carol M. Pate, EdD, FCPP, is a Fellow of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia and is the Clerk on the Executive Committee of the Section on Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Her focus is education, specifically on the conditions of schools and organizations that help people, especially underserved populations, thrive.  

Susan M. Salkowitz, MGA, FCPP, is a Fellow of The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, former Clerk and current Executive Committee Member of the Section on Public Health and Preventive Medicine. Long-time consultant to the CDC and state and local health departments on public health informatics, specializing in Immunization Information Systems, health policy, integration of EHRs, and a mentor to MPH and MPA students at Jefferson and Penn.

Please note: The College of Physicians of Philadelphia reserves the right to photograph or record the event.