Conversation with Kelly Zabriskie, MS, CIC, FAPIC

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! This is your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today I’m joined by Kelly Zabriskie, whose career journey is a perfect example of how taking chances and continuous learning can lead to leadership in Infection Prevention.

Kelly started her career in microbiology and, with no prior hospital experience, took a leap of faith into Infection Prevention when a nurse leader saw her potential and gave her a chance. That decision led to a two-decade career in the field, progressing from solo Infection Preventionist to system-wide leadership overseeing multiple hospitals.

In this conversation, Kelly shares her experience breaking into Infection Prevention as a non-nurse, how she earned her CIC certification in just four months, and the challenges of transitioning from hands-on IP work to high-level strategy and leadership. She also discusses the importance of mentorship, professional development, and ensuring Infection Preventionists have a seat at the table in hospital leadership.

Stay tuned—this episode is full of valuable insights for anyone looking to grow in Infection Prevention.