O’Connor Chair Lecture to Focus on Infection Prevention in Nursing
Heather L. Bernard, DNP, RN, CIC, FAPIC, a nationally recognized nurse executive and infection prevention leader, will deliver the fall A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Chair Lecture at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21, in Slade Theatre, Yager Hall. Bernard’s lecture, “What I Wish Every Nursing Student Knew About Infection Prevention: Lessons From 20 Years on the Front Lines,” will draw on her more than 25 years of experience in nursing, clinical quality and patient safety.
Bernard is a former chief nursing officer and vice president of clinical services at Community Memorial Hospital in Hamilton, New York, where she led nursing and clinical operations. During her tenure, the hospital achieved 4-Star Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) quality ratings, sustained high patient satisfaction, stabilized the workforce and drove significant service line growth. Her career also includes directing infection prevention programs across multiple hospitals and serving as a regional Infection prevention and control specialist for the CDC Foundation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Bernard is a published author in the American Journal of Infection Control. Her work focuses on translating complex epidemiology and regulatory requirements into practical strategies that strengthen clinical practice and patient outcomes.
Kim Smith, chair of the Brent R. Nicklas School of Nursing, will host the event. Miya McCann, assistant chair of the Brent R. Nicklas School of Nursing and chair of the nursing events committee, will moderate the discussion.
The O’Connor Chair Lecture series is endowed by the A. Lindsay and Olive B. O’Connor Foundation of Delhi, NY. The series aims to provide nursing students and guests with insights into the challenges that seasoned professionals encounter across various areas of nursing and related disciplines.
The O’Connor Chair Lecture will be live-streamed. For more information, contact McCann at [email protected] or (607) 431-4785.
