PDI Hosts Prevention Connection LIVE
A roundtable event featuring industry experts discussing infection prevention topics.
In honor of International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW), PDI hosted its first edition of Prevention Connection Live! This series of virtual connects brought together informative, insightful, and inspiring conversations with well-rounded, industry professionals who have first-hand experience with the challenges, opportunities, and best practices for preventable infections.
The panel was moderated by PDI Board of Directors Member and Former U.S. Surgeon General, Dr. Regina Benjamin, bringing decades of public health experience and leadership to the conversation.
Dr. Regina Benjamin, MD, MBA: Dr. Benjamin served as the 18th U.S. Surgeon General from 2009 to 2013. She was also chair of the National Prevention Council, composed of 17 cabinet-level heads of federal agencies that released the first-ever National Prevention Strategy, whose goal was to change our healthcare system from one based on sickness and disease to one of wellness and prevention. She attended Morehouse School of Medicine, obtained her MD degree from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and an MBA from Tulane University. Dr. Benjamin serves on several corporate boards, including two publicly traded healthcare companies. As a family physician and founder of Bayou La Batre Rural Health Clinic, Dr. Benjamin is one of the nation’s leading voices on population and preventive health issues.
Prevention Connection LIVE Panelists:
Stephanie Mayoryk, RN, BSN, CIC: Stephanie is the President of Mayoryk Consulting Services LLC. Her previous roles include solid organ transplant nursing at Johns Hopkins, infection preventionist at the Johns Hopkins Hospital and the University of Maryland Medical Center, leadership positions at the Greater Baltimore Medical Center, and most recently Corporate Director of Infection Prevention for the LifeBridge Health System in Baltimore, MD. As a consultant, she spent the past two years on contract and on set supporting film and television studios and productions.
Benjamin D. Galvan, MLS (ASCP), CIC, CPH: Benjamin is a board-certified infection preventionist with over 7 years of experience in the acute-care, academic healthcare setting. Recently accepting the Director of Infection Prevention role for HCA Florida South Tampa and West Tampa Hospitals, part of the HCA West Florida Division, Benjamin has demonstrated a passion for infection prevention and patient safety by leveraging interdisciplinary collaboration and performance improvement methodologies to improve health outcomes. In June 2021, Benjamin was awarded the inaugural Emerging Leader in Infection Prevention award by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). In 2015, Benjamin attained his bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center and was presently pursuing a master’s degree in Public Health at the University of South Florida.
Michelle DeVries MPH, CIC, VA-BC, CPHQ, FAPIC: Michelle has been involved in infection prevention and hospital epidemiology for more than 25 years spanning community, university, and federal healthcare facilities as well as post-acute settings. She is passionate about raising awareness around vascular access device complications and devotes her time to education on this topic. She was a reviewer for the 2016 and 2021 INS Infusion Therapy Standards of Practice and is now serving on the committee as an author for the 2024 Standards. She is a Senior Adjunct Research Fellow with AVATAR — the Alliance for Vascular Access Teaching and Research, past director at large with VACC (Vascular Access Certification Corporation), incoming President-Elect of the Association for Vascular Access nationally (2023) and serves as the Senior Infection Control Officer for Methodist Hospitals in Gary, Indiana.
Alice Brewer, MPH, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC: As the Senior Director of Clinical Affairs at PDI, Alice is responsible for elevating relationships with industry and government organizations, providing clinical strategy to commercialization efforts across all markets and channels, and supporting business development and innovation for both PDI and Tru-D. Alice has over 15 years of experience as an epidemiologist in both the pharmaceutical and healthcare industry. She has a record of publications and presentations in the fields of infectious disease and epidemiological research methodology. Alice earned a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology, and a master’s degree in Public Health Epidemiology, and is pursuing a doctorate in Health Sciences. She is certified in Infection Control and Epidemiology and as a Healthcare Quality Professional. She is also a Fellow of APIC and an active member of SHEA, ACE, and APHA.