Fridays at 4: Hosted by the APIC Annual Conference Committee and Education Committee

Session Description: Come learn and commiserate with fellow Infection Preventionists about challenging situations that tend to surface at 4pm on a Friday. Attendees will leave the "Fridays @4" session with a renewed sense of motivation, inspiration, or purpose, contributing to their overall well-being and enthusiasm for future endeavors. This session is hosted by the APIC Annual Conference Committee and Education Committee.

Brooke Frazier

Infection Preventionist, Oregon Health and Science University Hospital

Brooke Frazier, BSN, RN, CIC is an Infection Preventionist at Oregon Health and Science University Hospital. Brooke has been an infection preventionist since 2019, starting as a coordinator and then working in leadership roles from 2023 - 2026. Practice settings include a specialty cardiac hospital, a surgical hospital, a large community hospital containing women’s and children’s hospitals, a free-standing ED, a long-term acute care hospital, and an academic medical center. Brooke has been a registered nurse since 2012, with a background in cardiac critical care and nursing leadership. Brooke earned her certification in infection control in 2021 and joined the board of her local APIC chapter in 2023. She has a deep interest in using observation, analysis, and education and engagement with frontline staff to bring about process improvement that advances patient safety.

Amy Montross

Infection Prevention Specialist, Sr., Corewell Health

Amy Montross MBA, BSN, LTC-CIP is a Senior Infection Preventionist at Corewell Health in West Michigan. She has been an Infection Preventionist since 2018 with complete oversight of an acute care hospital, a rural-health hospital, a Long-Term care facility, and multiple ambulatory physician practices. She has been a Registered Nurse since 2007, with a background in Emergency nursing and Nursing Management. Amy’s passion is rural health and small community nursing. She loves partnering with the health department and with other Infection Preventionists to make sure the best care is provided for the needs of the community and those of differing cultures, religions, and education levels. She earned her Long-Term Care Infection Prevention Certification in 2022.

Karen Hoffmann

Clinical Instructor, University of North Carolina

Karen Hoffmann has served as the Clinical Instructor in the Division of Infectious Diseases at the University of North Carolina’s School of Medicine in Chapel Hill since 1988. From 2011- 2020 Karen also served as tnfection Preventionist consultant to the Centers for Medciare and Medicaid Services, Quality, Safety and Oversoight Group. She has specialized in infection control and prevention for over 40 years including 24 years as the Associate Director for the NC Stateide Program for Infection Control and Epidemiology (SPICE). Karen received the the APIC Carol B DeMille Lifetime Achievment award in 2023, and the SHEA Advanced Practice for Infection Preventionist Award. She is a Fellow of both SHEA and APIC and was the 2019 APIC President. Karen earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from Indiana University and her Master of Science degree in Healthcare Epidemiology from the University of Virginia.

Karen McGoldrick

Infection Preventionist, Sentara Leigh Hospital

Karen McGoldrick, MT (ASCP), CIC, CHOP, Infection Preventionist, Sentara Leigh Hospital in Norfolk, Virginia Karen has 18 years of experience in the field of Infection Prevention & Control with Sentara Healthcare, 14 of those years at Sentara Leigh Hospital and and the other four at Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center. Karen has a BS degree in Microbiology from Texas A&M University and a BS in Medical Technology from the University of Texas at Tyler. She has been a member of the APIC Virginia Chapter Board for 16 years serving in multiple postions, incuding Chapter President in 2017, and is currently Awards chair. Karen is also a currently chair of Coastal Virginia Infection Preventionists and Epidemiologists and is serving a three year term on APIC's Annual Conference Committee. Her passion is partnering with healthcare workers to prevent healthcare associated infections and improving patient safety.

Noreen Mollon

Infection Prevention and Epidemiology Manager, University of Michigan Health

Noreen Mollon is a manager in the Department of Infection Prevention and Epidemiology at University of Michigan Health. She joined the team in February of 2020. Prior to her role at UMH, she spent nearly 15 years working in public health holding several positions including tuberculosis epidemiologist and infection prevention consultant. During her time as IP consultant, she helped healthcare facilities across the continuum of care prepare for special pathogens and helped educate on infection prevention standards. She has a BS in microbiology from University of Michigan and MS in epidemiology from Michigan State University.