Research, Reality, and the DHSc: Dr. Lerenza Howard on Leveling Up in IP

What does it look like to become an IP with a terminal degree? In this episode of Transmission Control's Victory Lap series, Garrett Hollembeak and Jill Holdsworth sit down with Dr. Lerenza Howard, Manager of Infection Prevention, Employee Health, and Quality Improvement at La Rabida Children's Hospital. Dr. Lerenza guides us through her journey to earning her doctorate in Health Science while working full-time in IP, raising a family, and staying active in professional organizations. She shares how doctoral training sharpened her research skills, transformed how she approaches evidence-based practice, and led to her dissertation on IP experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation digs into qualitative vs. quantitative research, realistic expectations about what a terminal degree will and won't do for your career, and how to align advanced education with a clear "why." If you're an IP who is curious about a doctorate, this episode offers a candid, encouraging look at what a true professional victory lap can look like.

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