About the Nebraska Infection Control Network (NICN)
History of the NICN
The Nebraska Infection Control Network (NICN) was founded in 1980 by Philip W. Smith, MD. Its mission was to improve the quality of healthcare in Nebraska hospitals, long term care facilities and communities through the prevention and control of infectious diseases. The NICN uniquely combines the volunteer efforts of key agencies to accomplish these goals:
- Nebraska State Health Department
- Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA)
- Nebraska Health Care Association (NHCA)
- Greater Omaha Area Chapter of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (GOAPIC)
- Other interested parties
The NICN emphasizes educational programs. Education has taken three forms:
- Educational Conferences - Conferences have been sponsored at sites throughout the state from Omaha to Scottsbluff. Over 6000 participants have attended the conferences with outstanding evaluations. The NICN attempts to meet the educational needs of ICPs throughout the state.
- Intensive two-day Primary Infection Prevention course - This course is held twice a year in Omaha, for both acute care and long term care infection preventionists. In the more than 30 years these courses have been provided, over 4000 trainees have attended. The course offers an additional certificate process for long term care infection preventionists.
- Intermediate Infection Prevention course - This course is for the more advanced practitioner and is offered on an as needed basis.
The organization was one of the first to measure educational outcomes for its training programs and received a 3-year federal grant in the 1990s for putting on its training program in California and Pennsylvania.
The NICN provides information and advice through this web site and through five District Representatives who provide regional advice throughout the state on infection control matters.
The NICN also supports research through various infection control projects, primarily in LTCFs and hospitals.
In November 1988, the NICN received a National Community Health Promotion Award from Dr. Otis Bowen, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in recognition of outstanding community health promotion activities.
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APIC/NICN course at LaVista |
APIC/NICN course at LaVista |
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The first meeting of the Board, 1980 |
Early courses - Linda Horning leading (approximately 1985) |
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Pete Iwen giving his Micro talk at a Basics course, (Approximately 2005) |
In November 1988, the NICN received a National Community Health Promotion Awardfrom Dr. Otis Bowen, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in recognition of outstanding community health promotion activities. |
Distinguished Service Award Recipients
| 2023 |
M. Salman Ashraf |
Nebraska ICAP |
| 2021 |
Margaret Drake |
Nebraska Health Department |
| 2020 |
Maureen Tierney |
Creighton University |
| 2019 |
Tammi Schaffert |
Douglas County Health Center |
| 2018 |
Kate Tyner |
Nebraska Medicine |
| 2017 |
Peg Gilbert |
Quality IC, LLC |
| 2016 |
Gerri Means
Laura Hoogestraat
Karen Spenner |
Dodge County Memorial Hospital
Faith Regional Medical Center
St Francis Memorial Hospital |
| 2015 |
Shelly Schwedhelm, Shawn Gibbs, John Lowe, Beth Beam, Angela Hewlett, Kate Boulter, Chris Kratochvil |
Nebraska Medicine |
| 2014 |
Tom Safranek
Janet Riese |
Nebraska Health & Human Services
Mary Lanning |
| 2013 |
Kristi Felix
Larry Krebsbach
Lori Snyder-Sloan |
Madonna
BryanHealth
St Elizabeth |
| 2012 |
Pat Infield
Howard Grendelman |
Nebraska Health & Human Services
University of Nebraska Medical Center |
| 2011 |
Steve Hinrichs, Pete Iwen & Tony Sambol |
University of Nebraska Medical Center |
| 2010 |
Marsha Meyer
Chris Mason |
Scottsbluff
Clarkson College |
| 2009 |
Sue Swindells |
University of Nebraska Medical Center |
| 2008 |
Adi Pour & Carol Allensworth |
Douglas County Health Department |
| 2007 |
Phyllis Dutton
Pat Lenaghan |
Omaha Metropolitan Medical Response System (OMMRS)
Bioterrorism Unit and OMMRS |
| 2006 |
Judi Dunn
Mary Arends |
Clarkson College
Nebraska Health & Human Services |
| 2005 |
Connie Wagner
Richard Morin
Peg Luebbert
Chris Newlon |
Nebraska Healthcare Association
Bryan LGH
Alegent Health
Nebraska Dept of Health & Human Services |
| 2004 |
Jose Romero |
Creighton Hospital |
| 2003 |
Sharon Meeker-Medcalf |
University of Nebraska Medical Center |
| 2002 |
Richard Raymond |
Nebraska Health & Human Services |
| 2001 |
Amy Longo |
Attorney |
| 2000 |
Eugene Sanders & Christine Sanders
John Weston |
Creighton Hospital
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services |
| 1999 |
Dorothy Sonksen |
Burgess Hospital |
| 1998 |
Jane Roccafort |
Clarkson Hospital |
| 1997 |
Ted Schultz |
Nebraska Hospital Association |
| 1996 |
Lorraine Zoucha
LaVonne Gingrich |
Columbus Community Hospital
Hastings Hospital |
| 1995 |
Virginia Helget |
Clarkson Hospital |
| 1994 |
Peggy Christ |
Jennie Edmundson Hospital |
| 1993 |
Linda Horning |
Clarkson Hospital |
| 1992 |
Delight Wreed |
Nebraska Healthcare Association |
| 1991 |
Pam Daly |
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| 1990 |
Harlan Heald |
Nebraska Hospital Association |
| 1989 |
Marietta Henry |
Clarkson Microbiology Dept. |
| 1988 |
Sue Miller |
Clarkson Hospital |
| 1987 |
Pat Rusnak |
Clarkson Hospital |
| 1986 |
Harry McFadden |
UNMCMicrobiology Dept. |
| 1985 |
Paul Stoesz |
Nebraska Department of Health |