SJMHS Employs Leading Infection Control Expert

ANN ARBOR, Mich. - Russell Olmsted, epidemiologist in infection control services at Saint Joseph Mercy Health System has been named the 2009 recipient of the prestigious Carole DeMille Achievement Award by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).

Award recipients must demonstrate ideals of Carole DeMille, a pioneer in the development of the role of the infection control professional, including knowledge of the present and a vision of the future and an expertise in the field of infection control. They must also have contributed to the field of infection control through publications, presentations, community involvement or research.

“Simply stated, Russ is a central figure in our state-of-the art infection control program, and he has been for the past 22 years,” stated Dr. Charles Craig, medical director, infection prevention services at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital. “He has distinguished himself and brought credit to our health system through his regional and national activities. We are delighted to have him on our infection control team.”

An infection preventionist for more than 26 years, Olmsted has been a member of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) since November 2006. He also chaired the External Peer Review Panel of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), and served as the editor of the NHSN Panel Proceedings and Final Recommendations in 2008. With backgrounds in biology/microbiology and health care epidemiology, he has developed interest in the impact of environment of care on health care-associated infections (HAIs) and is representing APIC on the Facility Guidelines Institute's (FGI) Healthcare Guidelines Revision Committee (HGRC) 2010 edition of FGI's Design and Construction Guidelines.

“What success and recognition I have gained is in large part a reflection of the wonderful relationships I've been fortunate to experience from my membership in the SJMHS family and Trinity Health,” stated Olmsted. “I am both very honored and humbled. I am equally in debt to each employee who keeps a focus on our mission and vision for the patients we all serve. It is that sense of purpose that drives my interests and activities; it is what drives us all in this unique aspect of patient care."