Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! This is your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today I’m joined by Kelly Zabriskie, whose career journey is a perfect example of how taking chances and continuous learning can lead to leadership in Infection Prevention.

Kelly started her career in microbiology and, with no prior hospital experience, took a leap of faith into Infection Prevention when a nurse leader saw her potential and gave her a chance. That decision led to a two-decade career in the field, progressing from solo Infection Preventionist to system-wide leadership overseeing multiple hospitals.

In this conversation, Kelly shares her experience breaking into Infection Prevention as a non-nurse, how she earned her CIC certification in just four months, and the challenges of transitioning from hands-on IP work to high-level strategy and leadership. She also discusses the importance of mentorship, professional development, and ensuring Infection Preventionists have a seat at the table in hospital leadership.

Stay tuned—this episode is full of valuable insights for anyone looking to grow in Infection Prevention.