story by Van Mitchell, Staff Writer
The 42nd annual EPIC Educational Conference will be held Friday, Nov. 15 at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, located at 1700 NE 63rd Street in Oklahoma City.
They exist to provide a collective voice for epidemiologists and preventionists in infection control regarding issues related to infection for improving and maintaining quality patient care and safety.
They promote and foster networking and educational endeavors for all disciplines with common interests in infection control and prevention activities.
“Each year, EPIC holds an engaging and informative educational conference aimed at enhancing the knowledge and experience of attendees,” said Samantha Goza, President of EPIC. “Our conference is designed to bring together professionals from various disciplines, including epidemiologists and preventionists in infection control, to foster a vibrant atmosphere of learning and networking. We extend a warm invitation to individuals from all backgrounds and levels of expertise to join us for a full day dedicated to expanding their understanding and connections in the field.”
Goza said the EPIC conference, a significant event in the field of epidemiology and infection control, has been attracting professionals from all over the world for years.
“With its reputation for delivering high-quality content and promoting collaboration, this conference has been held in various locations, each carefully selected for its convenience and welcoming atmosphere,” she said. “The organizers have consistently ensured that participants can engage in meaningful discussions, forge new connections, and acquire valuable knowledge, making every edition of the conference a resounding success.”
The conference fee is $150.00 per person (plus a $1 processing fee). The registration deadline is Oct. 31 and includes complementary membership for calendar year 2025. A 2025 membership is included per ticket and 6.5 hours of contact hours.
The Exhibit Hall opens at 7 a.m. to showcase healthcare products and the latest technology.
Goza said the conference will feature five speakers including:
• John LaRochelle, President of Lighthouse Environmental Infection Prevention, Sponsored By Lighthouse. You Can’t Manage What You Don’t Measure.
• Dr. Corri Levine, PhD, MS, MPH, and sponsored by Region VI RESPTC Preparing to Care for Special Pathogen Patients
• Maureen Spencer, RN, M.Ed., CIC, FAPIC, Sponsored by Ethicon Foundation to Surgical Stewardship Using a Bundle as a Foundation to Prevent SSIs
• Chad Flora, RN, BSN, CNOR, Sponsored by Monlycke Health Care Fostering a Culture of Essential Evidence-based Patient Care
• Jolianne Stone, MPH, State Epidemiologist Office of the State Epidemiologist, Oklahoma State Department of Health State Disease Yearly Update
Goza said EPIC is a grassroots group.
“We have another organization for our profession, it’s called APIC, but it’s quite exclusive,” she said. “So EPIC was established to give more of a group that’s not as expensive to join but still provides education and resources to those who work in this discipline. It’s just a more affordable group to join for the state of Oklahoma. We have members that are across the United States as well. And then we provide monthly education and in-services for our members.”
Goza said providing continuing education is important.
“A lot of the things that we’re doing are constantly evolving and changing, so we all have to stay abreast of the latest recommendations and things that are traveling throughout our communities, things that are changing,” she said.
Goza said EPIC’s membership continues to grow.
“I would say that we probably have around 100 members currently,” she said. “We have members that are outside the state of Oklahoma.”
Goza said this year is the first time EPIC has held its conference at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.
“We had it at the Petroleum Club last year, but we had limited seating, and so this year we moved to the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Museum so we could have unlimited seating this year and unlimited vendor opportunities,” she said.
Goza said EPIC’s future goals include reducing the number of healthcare-acquired infections, to prevent increased multidrug-resistant organism transmission; better communication between healthcare facilities; and improved antibiotic stewardship.
Goza said the EPIC conference is open to all healthcare arenas.
“We would encourage all healthcare setting types to come, whether it’s long-term care, acute care, outpatient facilities, and anybody that’s new or experienced in infection control,” she said.
Organizational groups of 4 or more will be provided with a 10% discount. Coupon Code must be entered at registration for discount. Coupon codes can be received by contacting Debbie Dahl, treasurer at [email protected]
For more information about EPIC visit http://www.epicokla.org
