Consulting 101 for IPs: How to Get Started Now!

DeAnn Richards has worked in Infection Prevention and Occupational Health for over 29 years. She has an associate degree in occupational therapy and nursing, followed by her bachelor's in nursing. She is certified in infection control, long-term care infection control, healthcare quality, and patient safety. DeAnn combined her experience in long-term care, ambulatory, and acute care as a regional lead at Lake Superior Quality Innovation Network to support the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) priorities for health care quality improvement) in all types of settings.  She supported the Wisconsin Hospital Association in the Hospital Improvement Innovation Networks (HIIN) and WI Department of Health Services regarding new Infection Preventionist education. She has held chapter leader positions with two of the four WI Chapters, including President, three times and past chair of the APIC Membership Support Committee.  In 2020, she started her own consulting business – D. Richards Infection Prevention. This opportunity allowed DeAnn to apply her experience in multiple settings and her love of infection prevention and share her knowledge as an APIC Faculty member.

Evelyn Bates is the Senior Relationship Manager at APIC Consulting, where she leverages her healthcare management expertise and experience in healthcare recruiting to connect with and support a roster of highly skilled Infection Prevention (IP) consultants. Evelyn's journey into the world of healthcare management began with her graduation from UT Dallas with a Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management, where she developed a deep understanding of healthcare systems, operations, and regulations. Her commitment to and passion for the healthcare industry led her to launch her career as a healthcare recruiter, where she honed her talent for identifying and nurturing top-tier talent in the field. During her time as a recruiter, she gained invaluable insights into the evolving healthcare landscape, understanding the critical role of healthcare workers in safeguarding the health and well-being of patients and healthcare institutions.

In her current position as Relationship Manager at APIC Consulting, Evelyn plays a pivotal role in building strong connections between clients and APIC Consultants. Evelyn is dedicated to understanding the unique needs and challenges of healthcare institutions and supporting the seamless integration of APIC Consulting's elite consultants into client organizations. Her mission is to ensure that APIC Consulting remains at the forefront of healthcare excellence, consistently delivering top-tier infection prevention solutions to clients across the nation.