South Carolina IP to be Honored for Distinguished Service

Connie Steed, MSN, RN, CIC, FAPIC, corporate director of the infection prevention department of Greenville Health System, will receive the 2018 President’s Distinguished Service Award from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

The award, which will be presented at APIC’s 45th Annual Conference, June 13-15, in Minneapolis, is given to an individual who has made major contributions to the profession of infection prevention and control (IPC) through service within APIC. Steed is being recognized by her peers as a champion within the IPC field and as an expert in education tied implementation science. She was one of the first infection preventionists (IPs) to recognize the importance of education in reducing needle stick injuries and infection risks to patients and staff.

“Connie has not only made great strides in the implementation of infection control, but has been a phenomenal mentor and advocate for those entering the field. Her mentorship and leadership within APIC has helped strengthen the field and heighten public awareness of the importance of infection prevention,” said 2018 APIC president Janet Haas, PhD, RN, CIC, FSHEA, FAPIC.

Steed has been a member of APIC since 1979. On the state level, she has served as president of both the Chattahoochee and Palmetto chapters. Nationally, she served on the APIC board of directors, the membership committee, chairperson for the National Extended Care Facility Recruitment Subcommittee, and as a member of the governmental affairs committee. She was influential in the development of the future path of the Association and the field by assisting in the creation of APIC’s Strategic Plan 2020, the IP Competency Model (2012) and its current revision, and revision of APIC’s national policy manual. Furthermore, Steed has served in every elected position at her local chapter.

She has energized and motivated new IPs, teaching basic IPC courses as well as certification review courses. She has mentored nearly 200 IPs, many of whom have gone on to the become leaders in the field.

Source: APIC