President’s message 

Greetings, Colleagues,

Election results for 2025 were announced at the end-of-the-year APIC DFW event on December 6th.  In case you weren't able to make the celebration, wanted to share the news that our 2025 President-elect is Therissa Grefsrud, MBA-HCM, BSN, RN, CIC ; Board member #4 is Kim Walker, BSN, RN, CIC; and Treasurer-elect is Steven Stewart, MPH, LVN, CIC, CPHQ, LSSYB, DEI​.  Please help me to congratulate these newest members of our APIC DFW Board!  

Several APIC DFW members were recognized and honored during the event for their amazing achievements, significant contributions, commitment and service:

• Anne Mattern, who received APIC's Chapter Leader Award in 2024

• Our entire APIC DFW Chapter, who received APIC's Chapter Excellence Award in 2024   

• APIC DFW's 2024 Star Award Recipients, who demonstrated excellence in at least 5 of the 6 future-oriented competency domains (Leadership, Professional Stewardship,  Quality Improvement, IPC Operations, IPC informatics, and Research): 

• Becoming Proficient Category --- Shayne Alanis, BSN, RN, CIC​

• Proficient Category --- Therissa Grefsrud, MBA-HCM, RN, CIC​

• Expert Category --- Teri Mauldin, MBA, BSN, RNC, CIC, FAPIC

• Unsung Hero Awards were given to ​Loan VanAuker, D-ABMDI, MS, CIC (Chapter Engagement Committee) and Kaci Hickox, MPH, MSN, RN, CIC (Conference Committee) for their incredible contributions

• Congratulations to our newest APIC DFW Fellow, ​Bethany Phillips, MPH, CIC, HACP-IC, MLS (ASCP), FAPIC

We also recognized our incredible 2024 committee leaders, board of directors, and team members.  It is because of these selfless and committed volunteers that we have such an amazing chapter and community in which to grow professionally.  They especially help us to achieve APIC's strategic plan:  to champion the scientific advancement and practice of infection prevention and control, elevate Infection Preventionists as essential advocates, leaders, and experts, and to foster development of the next generation infection prevention and control workforce.   If you haven't volunteered with APIC DFW before, we would love to have you join us in 2025.  

A very special thank you to our Chapter Engagement Committee for organizing a wonderful end-of-year celebration, and to Matthew Nelson, our great emcee/games host!  

It has been a great privilege to serve as APIC DFW's president this year, and I am truly fortunate to be a part of this remarkable chapter.  I am now looking forward and am so excited to see what 2025 will bring under Gaby Perez's presidency! 

Warmly,

Stephanie Kreiling

2024 APIC DFW President