National Infection Control Week 2025: A Time to Celebrate IPC Leaders and Frontline Heroes
National Infection Control Week 2025 shines a spotlight on the dedicated professionals who safeguard patients, residents, and visitors from preventable infections. Across hospitals and long‑term care facilities, infection prevention and control (IPC) teams work tirelessly to translate science into practice, close gaps between policy and day‑to‑day care, and build bridges across departments and communities.
Meet the IPC Leaders Making a Difference
Among the dedicated voices featured for this year’s theme, “Bridging Gaps, Building Bridges,” are several frontline professionals who illuminate how IPC extends beyond traditional duties.
Michelle Groulx, Infection Control Practitioner at Portage District General Hospital, has held her role for nine years. Part of her day involves supporting staff in understanding their role in infection prevention and control. “I know that I am making a difference when staff feel comfortable coming to me with their questions and concerns,” she says. Groulx emphasizes building capacity for independent problem‑solving while acknowledging that questions from colleagues often teach her new insights. Her broader influence also includes collaboration on facility construction, where she provides guidance to contractors to improve safety measures, protecting patients, staff, and visitors from construction risks.
Krystal Irvine supports IPC in long‑term care within the Interlake‑Eastern Regional Health Authority. In her three years in the role, she notes that IPC touches every department and aspect of care, and decisions often ripple across residents, staff, and homes. Her team’s data highlighted gaps in how urinary tract infections (UTIs) were recognized, diagnosed, and treated, underscoring the need for stronger antimicrobial stewardship. To bridge knowledge and practice, Irvine’s team developed policies, decision tools, and quick‑reference resources to aid staff in selecting appropriate interventions, strengthening evidence‑based practice across the region.
Funmilayo Oluwafemi, an Infection Control Support Associate (ICSA) for six long‑term care facilities within Prairie Mountain Health, has a rich background in public health. A Nigerian university faculty lecturer, she relocated to Canada in 2022 and transitioned into the ICSA role to continue health promotion at the population level. “ICSAs bridge the gap between policy and practice,” she explains, noting that their presence across sites helps tailor IPC protocols to each location. Clear two‑way communication with staff reveals practical barriers—such as workflow challenges and supply issues—so small changes, like repositioning hand hygiene stations or refining signage, can boost compliance and safety.
Lynn Roberts Branconnier supports IPC across two facilities and four personal care homes within Prairie Mountain Health, a role she has held for a decade. “Infection control is not always in the spotlight, but it can reduce complications, shorten hospital stays, and save lives,” she says. She emphasizes translating surveillance data into measurable actions, auditing, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to embed infection prevention into everyday care.
Jen Tomlinson, Clinical Team Leader in Infection Prevention & Control at Health Sciences Centre, has spent 12 years in her current leadership role and 25 years as an IPC professional. She cherishes guiding the development of evidence‑based policies, mentoring staff, and investigating outbreaks—a process she describes as “detective work” that blends microbiology, epidemiology, and human behavior. Tomlinson notes that much of IPC work happens behind the scenes to keep issues from reaching patient care areas, emphasizing proactive monitoring and prevention as essential missions.
Amoy Thompson, RN, MSN, CIC, oversees Tuberculosis Infection Control for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. Over seven years in the role, she focuses on developing guidelines, conducting hand hygiene audits, and surveillance to lower hospital‑acquired infection rates and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Thompson highlights education and clear communication, making policies accessible to staff and the public, while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
Why This Week Matters: Bridging Gaps and Building Bridges
The week spotlights how infection prevention and control connects policy to practice—ensuring safety is not just a set of rules but a lived discipline embedded in daily care. IPC professionals interpret surveillance data, conduct audits, and develop practical tools that translate science into safer, more consistent care. Their work across facilities and regions demonstrates that collaboration across disciplines and levels of care is essential to reducing infections and improving patient outcomes.
Look Ahead: How You Can Support IPC Efforts
Healthcare facilities encourage staff, patients, and families to engage with IPC initiatives. Simple actions—hand hygiene, timely reporting of concerns, and adherence to evidence‑based protocols—shape safer environments for everyone. This National Infection Control Week, celebrate the IPC professionals who bridge gaps, build bridges, and keep communities healthier.
