Leading with Curiosity: Embracing Uncertainty in Infection Prevention Practice

Session Description: In an increasingly complex healthcare landscape, Infection Preventionists (IPs) are routinely asked to lead during uncertainty. Yet traditional training rarely addresses the cognitive and behavioral skills needed to navigate the unknown. This session explores curiosity as a core leadership competency in infection prevention—one that fuels innovation, improves team engagement, and strengthens root cause investigations. Drawing from leadership theory and practical application, the presentation introduces the role of curiosity in enhancing systems thinking, improving psychological safety in high-stress healthcare environments, and fostering reflective practice that encourages learning from near-miss events and system failures. Using a structured self-assessment framework based on validated curiosity research, participants will identify their personal curiosity patterns and learn how to recognize curiosity blockers in IP teams. The session will provide evidence-based strategies to create a culture of inquiry that drives innovation in infection prevention practices. Real-world examples will demonstrate how curiosity reshaped the approach to persistent infection challenges and led to novel prevention strategies. Participants will complete individualized action planning to apply curiosity-driven leadership approaches in their current roles. Curiosity-driven leadership directly advances diversity, equity, and inclusion by creating psychologically safe environments where diverse perspectives are actively sought and valued. This approach helps leaders recognize and question unconscious biases during infection investigations and decision-making processes, while fostering inclusive teams where all members feel empowered to contribute innovative solutions regardless of their background or position within the organization.

John Delano

Multisite Director, Infection Prevention, Advocate Health

John Delano is a Certified Infection Preventionist with over a decade of experience advancing patient safety in diverse healthcare settings. He currently serves as Multisite Director of Infection Prevention for Advocate Health’s South Chicagoland area, leading strategies to reduce healthcare-associated infections and ensure regulatory compliance. He has developed electronic tools, led multidisciplinary education initiatives, and implemented interventions that improved infection rates and hand hygiene. He has also mentored Infection Preventionists pursuing CIC certification and built high-performing teams. John has presented at national APIC conferences and published on disinfection and quality improvement. Passionate about innovation and equity, he leverages data, research, and systems thinking to improve outcomes. He holds a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology and is currently pursuing a DrPH in Advanced Leadership.

Anne Reeths

Multisite Director, Infection Prevention, Advocate Health

Anne Reeths, RN, MS, CIC, FAPIC, is a Multisite Director for Infection Prevention at Advocate Health with over 20 years of experience. Known for strategic leadership and collaboration, Anne works closely with multidisciplinary teams to implement evidence-based protocols that enhance patient outcomes. Passionate about education and continuous improvement, Anne drives programs that strengthen organizational resilience and regulatory adherence.She holds degrees from Northern Michigan University and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and completed the PICES certificate at Loyola University-Chicago. Anne is currently past President of her local APIC chapter and has served on APIC’s Professional Development and Member Services Committees. Anne currently participates on the APIC IP Corporate Council Committee.