Our Mission
The Northeast Florida chapter of APIC represents a dynamic community of professionals committed to advancing infection prevention and control best practices and promoting patient safety. With a diverse membership spanning Infection Preventionists, Epidemiologists, and related vendors, the chapter fosters a collaborative environment for sharing knowledge and best practices. The collective efforts of these dedicated individuals play a crucial role in enhancing healthcare quality across the Northeast Florida and Southeast Georgia regions.
2024 Board
2024 President - Melody Wu-Ballis
Dr. Melody Wu-Ballis has been the Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Mayo Clinic in Florida for the past 5 years. Her extensive background includes a fellowship at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where she contributed to the Infectious Diseases Division, focusing on HIV, HCV, and Clinical Public Health Pathogens. Dr. Wu-Ballis's commitment to public health is further evidenced by her time at the CDC's Office of Minority Health and Health Equity. With an MPH from Emory University and Veterinary medicine degree from Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, her educational background is very diverse. Her board certification, fellow of APIC status and leadership roles, including her presidency of the Northeast Florida region APIC Chapter (2019, 2024), underscore her dedication to advancing the field and mentoring the next generation of public health professionals.
2024 President Elect- Adam Lipford
Adam Lipford, MPH, CPH, is an Infection Preventionist for Mayo Clinic Florida. Born and raised in Florida, he received his Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the University of Florida. After graduation, Mr. Lipford honed his skills in epidemiology, project management, and quality improvement as the lead Epidemiologist for six of Florida’s northern counties. After serving in this roll for 5 years, he accepted the position of Infection Preventionist at Mayo Clinic Florida in 2022. His current areas of focus include hospital HemOnc and solid organ transplant, ambulatory practice, informatics, water management, construction, and the hand hygiene program.
2024 Officers
Treasurer - Christine Bailey
Christine Bailey began her career in the summer of 1994 at the Florida Department of Health in the Duval County Health Department Epidemiology Program after receiving her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Florida State University. She later earned her Master of Science in Health from the University of North Florida. In 2005, she joined Baptist Health as nurse epidemiologist for Wolfson Children's Hospital, becoming board certified in Infection Control and Epidemiology in 2007. In 2011, she received the Great 100 Nurses of Northeast Florida Advocacy award. In 2016, she was honored to join the first group designated as Fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (FAPIC). Christine transitioned to Infection Prevention Consulting in the fall of 2021. She is enjoying consulting for acute care, long term care, and businesses. She is serving APIC Chapter 50 as Treasurer for 2021 - 2022. Previously, Christine served APIC Chapter 50 as Board Member (2017), President (2016), President-Elect (2015), Membership Chair (2014), Legislative Affairs Chair (2013), President (2012), President-Elect (2011), and Secretary (2008 - 2009).
Bylaws Chair - Bill Helper
Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, graduated from Ursuline College with a BSN degree. After moving to Florida, I obtained my Masters of Science in Health from UNF. I’ve been an RN for 40 years and Infection Preventionist for 26 years. Certified in Infection Control for 20 years.
My roles in Infection Prevention:
- Infection Control Coordinator – Home Health
- Infection Prevention Coordinator - Not-for-profit hospital
- Director, Infection Prevention - Not-for-profit hospital
- Infection Preventionist/Assistant Director of Nursing – State Veterans Nursing Home
- Infection Preventionist Consultant – Navy (current)
I’ve been involved with NE FL APIC since 2003. During this time, I’ve been President (2010), Education and Board Member for multiple years (2011-2018). I’ve also served on the Board of FPIC as Membership Chair (2014-2018).
During my career I’ve presented at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and APIC National and was showcased in Infection Control Today, “Who’s Who in Infection Prevention 2009”.
I feel our NE Florida Chapter is a vibrant and dynamic group, offering opportunities for new and experienced IP’s to further their knowledge base of our constantly evolving discipline.
Education Chair - Elyse Brockman
Elyse Brockman serves as an Infection Preventionist at Mayo Clinic Florida, leveraging her expertise to ensure patient safety and advance public health initiatives. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Health with a concentration in Health Education and Master of Public Health with a focus in Epidemiology from the University of North Florida. Elyse actively engages in quality improvement projects, where she applies her knowledge to implement and advocate for best practices in infection prevention. Her current areas of focus include supporting critical care units, conducting surveillance, co-chairing the CAUTI Workgroup and evaluating supplies and equipment based on clinical efficacy, safety, and cost. Additionally, Elyse is an active member of Northeast Florida's APIC Chapter 50, contributing to the collective efforts of the healthcare community.
Education Chair (January -May) - Terri Rebmann
Dr. Terri Rebmann is a Public Health Communications Specialist for the Public Health Company. She is also Director of the Institute for Biosecurity, and an adjunct Professor of Epidemiology in the Saint Louis University College for Public Health & Social Justice. She is a PhD Nurse researcher with an emphasis in infectious disease emergency preparedness. In addition, she is board certified in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) and a Fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (FAPIC). She publishes and lectures on bioterrorism, pandemic planning, emerging infectious diseases, and infection prevention practices on a national basis. Dr. Rebmann has worked in infection prevention and held the CIC credential for almost 30 years. She has served at the national level with both APIC and CBIC for many years. At APIC she has served in a leadership position on the APIC Bioterrorism Working Group, APIC Emergency Preparedness Committee, APIC Ebola Task Force, APIC COVID-19 Task Force, and now the APIC Emerging Infectious Diseases Task Force. For CBIC, she has served on the Board and as a member of the Test Writing Committee and Job Task Analysis team.
Membership Chair - Robyn Kay
Robyn S Kay MPH CIC FAPIC began her career is a Florida Epidemic Intelligence Service Officer in 2003 with the Florida Department of Health. She continued her work as a field epidemiologist serving the Northeast Florida area with the Florida Department of Health until 2012. She joined Baptist Health as a clinical epidemiologist in the Infection Prevention Department. Ms. Kay has continued to contribute to the field of public health as well as infection prevention by presenting at conferences, publishing her work in peer reviewed journals, and mentoring students. She is a graduate of University of Florida with a degree in Microbiology and Cell Science as well as earning her Master in Public Health from Emory University Rollins School of Public Health. She was the recipient of the Emory University’s Rollins School of Public Health Matthew Lee Girvin Alumni Award in 2013. She was the 2017 APIC Chapter 50 President and currently serves as the 2022 APIC Chapter 50 Membership Chair.
Legislative Affairs - Sharron Seitz
Secretary - Melani Dickenson
Social Media/Web Chair - Rendy Combs
Past Presidents
2023 President - Karla Walsh
2023 President - Karla Walsh
2023 President - Karla Walsh
Karla started her nursing career in New Jersey, graduating from Mercer Medical Center, with a Diploma in nursing in 1980. From there she went on to earn her BSN from the University of Delaware, and her MSN from Walden University. Her area of nursing focus has always been in post open heart surgery in the CVICU. She has served in mult
Karla started her nursing career in New Jersey, graduating from Mercer Medical Center, with a Diploma in nursing in 1980. From there she went on to earn her BSN from the University of Delaware, and her MSN from Walden University. Her area of nursing focus has always been in post open heart surgery in the CVICU. She has served in multiple positions throughout her career, and in 2007, she went into the role of Infection Preventionist. She was named one of the Great 100 Nurses of Northeast Florida in 2011. Karla is Board Certified in Infection Prevention and currently works as an Infection Preventionist at Baptist Medical Center in Jacksonville.
2022 President - Ronnie Owen
2023 President - Karla Walsh
2023 President - Karla Walsh
Ronnie Owen is an Infection Preventionist at Mayo Clinic Florida. He has been an Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner since 2015. His nursing experience started in Mississippi as a nursing assistant while attending nursing school, graduating with an RN degree in 2008 from Hinds Community College. Ronnie received his Bachelor De
Ronnie Owen is an Infection Preventionist at Mayo Clinic Florida. He has been an Infection Prevention and Control Practitioner since 2015. His nursing experience started in Mississippi as a nursing assistant while attending nursing school, graduating with an RN degree in 2008 from Hinds Community College. Ronnie received his Bachelor Degree in Nursing from the University of North Florida in 2013. His nursing experience prior to Infection Prevention and Control is ER, ICU, Med/Surg nursing and Nurse Supervisor. Ronnie’s current role at Mayo is focused primarily in the outpatient setting.
2021 President - Marko Predic
2021 President - Marko Predic
2021 President - Marko Predic
Marko Predic is Director of Infection Prevention at Orange Park Medical Center. He holds a Master's in epidemiology as well as a Bachelor's in microbiology and cell sciences from the University of Florida. In addition to his microbiology degree he has spent time working as researcher within a genetics lab. He comes in with experience in
Marko Predic is Director of Infection Prevention at Orange Park Medical Center. He holds a Master's in epidemiology as well as a Bachelor's in microbiology and cell sciences from the University of Florida. In addition to his microbiology degree he has spent time working as researcher within a genetics lab. He comes in with experience in infection control from UF Health in Gainesville and Jacksonville, having both worked and conducted research while at the Infection Prevention and Control department. He currently oversees a mix of hospital units, including intensive care units and tuberculosis units. Marko is actively working on research and publication along with his daily tasks within the department. His interests include surveillance epidemiology of both infectious diseases and multi-drug resistant organisms.
2020 President - Aleya Byrd
2021 President - Marko Predic
2021 President - Marko Predic
Aleya Byrd is a Nurse Epidemiologist for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Ms. Byrd is a registered nurse and has a Bachelor Degree in Community Health. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and is board certified in Infection Control and Epidemiology. Aleya has experience in infection prevention that spans to include long term care,
Aleya Byrd is a Nurse Epidemiologist for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. Ms. Byrd is a registered nurse and has a Bachelor Degree in Community Health. She is a Certified Health Education Specialist and is board certified in Infection Control and Epidemiology. Aleya has experience in infection prevention that spans to include long term care, a rehabilitation hospital, adult acute care and pediatrics. She was named one of the Great 100 Nurses for Advocacy of Northeast Florida in 2017. She is currently the treasurer of APIC Ch. 50 and she was elected to serve on the national APIC education committee. Aleya will be presenting at the Society for Pediatric Nursing national conference this spring on the topic of the Collaboration between Quality and Infection Control. She was instrumental in process improvements at her hospital that lead to the facility being given the 2018 John Curran Quality Improvement award.
2019 President - Melody Wu-Ballis
2018 President - Stefanie Buchanan
2018 President - Stefanie Buchanan
Dr. Melody Wu - Ballis is a former fellow at the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Public Health in Washington D.C. During her experience at the VA, she worked on the Infectious Diseases Division, HIV and HCV and Clinical Public Health Pathogens and she is also a former fellow at The Office of Minority Health and Health E
Dr. Melody Wu - Ballis is a former fellow at the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Office of Public Health in Washington D.C. During her experience at the VA, she worked on the Infectious Diseases Division, HIV and HCV and Clinical Public Health Pathogens and she is also a former fellow at The Office of Minority Health and Health Equity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dr. Wu - Ballis holds an MPH degree from Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia with a concentration in Epidemiology. She received her Undergraduate and Professional Doctorate degrees from the School of Veterinary Medicine at Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia (UPCH) in Lima, Peru where she is originally from. Dr. Wu- Ballis is board certified in Infection Prevention and Control, served as the president for the Northeast Florida region APIC Chapter in 2019, and currently serves as the president for the chapter.
2018 President - Stefanie Buchanan
2018 President - Stefanie Buchanan
2018 President - Stefanie Buchanan
Stefanie Buchanan is an Infection Preventionist at the UF Health Downtown campus. Stefanie's educational background includes an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing from Florida Community College at Jacksonville and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Florida. Mrs. Buchanan is board certified in Infection Co
Stefanie Buchanan is an Infection Preventionist at the UF Health Downtown campus. Stefanie's educational background includes an Associate of Science Degree in Nursing from Florida Community College at Jacksonville and a Bachelors of Science in Nursing from the University of Central Florida. Mrs. Buchanan is board certified in Infection Control and began her Infection Prevention training in the ambulatory setting and transitioned from there into acute care and has over eight years of experience in the field. Her nursing background includes work in various healthcare settings including community, academic and research hospitals. Beyond her infection control practice, her professional experience includes service as a perioperative nurse in ambulatory surgery, operating room circulator in Urology/Gynecology/Robotics, and Sepsis Coordinator for one of the first hospitals certified by the Joint Commission for sepsis management. Stefanie is also a member of APIC and currently serves an active role as Board Member in the Northeast Florida region APIC chapter.