How do you stay connected to the important things in your life? Are you frequently overwhelmed and find it hard to keep focused and current with your profession? You are not alone. Many of us have too many obligations on our plate, too many deadlines or expectations that we need to fulfill. But you do have a support system, the members of your chapter, your regional APIC group.

This past June at the national conference in Denver, the Chapter leaders meeting was inspiring, uplifting and a wonderful kickoff for the conference week. Topics of discussion included the branding of APIC, leadership and what we needed to support our chapters and our membership,

An interesting concept that was revealed was the name change for those who practice infection control and prevention, Infection preventionist. A new title, a new perspective on who you are and what you do.

Oftentimes, I have thought that control is like closing the barn door after the horse is out, Prevention thinks ahead and keeps the barn door closed so that horse never gets out in the first place. Interesting? You bet. And the conference attendees thought it was right on, a good title for what we always knew; we are the canary in the mine, the indicator that an issue is about to occur.

In our preventionist role, we are leaders and people look up to us. Leadership is something we aspire to, something that we are driven to achieve and learn to accomplish to enhance the practice of infection prevention and control. At the chapter leader's meeting at the national conference, there were inspirational leadership quotes at each place setting and I wrote some down to share with you, as you are all leaders in the quest to prevent and control infections.

Read through and see how many you associate with, are inspired by or will ponder as you go.

'Leaders multitask- today's leaders need to be able to juggle a dozen conundrums at once'.

'Leaders deliver- ideas are great but what counts is performance and results'.

'Leaders know they can make a difference- they radiate a 'sense of mattering''.

'Leaders give respect. Leaders care about connecting because it moves mountains'.

'Leaders don't fall prey to their own success-t hey don't' let their organizations get complacent'.

'Leaders make mistakes, recognize them, learn from them, deal with them quickly and move on'.

'Leaders create their won destinies. There are leaders at all levels in every successful organization'.

Here to support you as the chapter member you are and the leader you are refining everyday,