Serina M. Lees, MPH, CIC, CPH
Houston,TX
Summary
Board-Certified Infection Prevention Practitioner with 14 years of progressive leadership experience across hospital, clinical, and public health environments. U.S.-licensed and certified in Infection Control, with advanced expertise in preventing and mitigating healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Strategic leader skilled in designing and implementing enterprise-wide risk-reduction initiatives in collaboration with interdisciplinary clinical teams and executive leadership. Extensive knowledge of accreditation and regulatory standards, ensuring sustained organizational compliance and survey readiness. Recognized as a trusted subject matter expert and advisor to healthcare institutions, community stakeholders, and professional organizations. Results-driven and disciplined professional dedicated to advancing patient safety, quality improvement, and operational excellence.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Infection Preventionist (IP) III and System IP Specialist for Orthopedics
Memorial Hermann Hospital System
Houston, TX
01.2021 - Current
- Led epidemiologic investigations, surveillance, monitoring, and program evaluation activities across multiple facilities within a large health system, translating complex data into actionable prevention strategies that reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
- Serve as a system-level hospital leader driving robust performance improvement initiatives targeting HAIs. Conduct comprehensive infection drill-down analyses, Gemba walks focused on the patient experience, and interdisciplinary process mapping across high-impact departments, including perioperative services, sterile processing, emergency services, inpatient units, and post-discharge care. Develop and implement data-informed recommendations that measurably reduce risk.
- Provide direct leadership, coaching, and oversight to Infection Prevention teams, guiding education strategy, regulatory documentation, executive reporting, and presentation of departmental outcomes to senior leadership and governing bodies.
- Designed and implemented multiple evidence-based infection prevention tools, including:
- Revised central line maintenance audit tool
- Surgical Site Infection (SSI) drill-down framework
- OR/Sterile Processing (SPD) Environment of Care audit tool These tools standardized surveillance practices and strengthened accountability across facilities.
- Partner with senior executives to conduct system-wide risk assessments and establish institutional infection prevention priorities for multiple hospitals and the orthopedic service line, aligning initiatives with strategic organizational goals and regulatory standards such as The Joint Commission and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
- Founded and lead an interdisciplinary SSI Task Force focused on case review, perioperative workflow optimization, and evidence-based bundle compliance. Achieved a sustained 25% annual reduction in Standardized Infection Ratio (SIR) over three consecutive fiscal years.
- Chair the Employee Engagement Committee, advancing workforce retention strategies, leading system-wide Infection Prevention Week initiatives, and fostering alignment between central surveillance and facility-based IP teams across Houston campuses.
Infection Prevention Contractor
Northrop Grumman Contractor to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Atlanta, GA
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Conducted advanced epidemiological investigations, surveillance, monitoring, and program evaluations supporting national public health initiatives in dialysis and long-term care settings.
- Identified and analyzed complex public health threats and their implications for policy development, scientific research, and national surveillance systems, translating findings into actionable prevention strategies.
- Synthesized social science, behavioral science, environmental biology, and epidemiologic data to design and refine evidence-based prevention programs and infection control practice guidelines.
- Provided scientific consultation and technical assistance to public, private, and nonprofit healthcare agencies, supporting large-scale infection prevention efforts with measurable community impact.
- Evaluated infection prevention and mitigation program success by collaborating with program specialists, epidemiologists, and scientists to improve operational effectiveness and ensure alignment with evolving public health guidance.
- Identified high-risk and disproportionately impacted populations to guide targeted mitigation strategies and resource allocation.
- Co-authored organizational strategic documents, technical reports, and research summaries to support national infection prevention initiatives and policy development.
- Served as infection prevention advisor to long-term care facilities and critical access hospitals during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic by conducting virtual Infection Control Assessment and Response (tele-ICAR) evaluations, strengthening outbreak response capacity and regulatory compliance.
- Coordinated response activities with federal, state, and county emergency management agencies, ensuring cohesive communication and alignment during public health emergencies.
- Interpreted and operationalized evolving guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention related to SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks and reopening strategies, translating national recommendations into practical tools for dialysis and long-term care providers.
- Responded to technical inquiries submitted to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) Helpdesk regarding surveillance definitions, reporting protocols, and data analysis, supporting national reporting accuracy.
- Led the redesign and modernization of the Dialysis Program website, improving accessibility of infection prevention resources and surveillance guidance.
- Co-developed presentations, toolkits, and mitigation resources to reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission in dialysis facilities nationwide.
- Contributed to planning and execution of the Dialysis Safety Conference and supported initiatives within the Making Dialysis Safer Coalition to advance national patient safety efforts.
- Authored and updated NHSN Dialysis Database user guides, enhancing data integrity and standardization across reporting facilities.
- Facilitated national webinars, Quick Learns, and coalition workgroups to disseminate emerging evidence and best practices to healthcare stakeholders.
Infection Preventionist
Piedmont Atlanta Hospital
Atlanta, GA
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Epidemiology-driven infection prevention leader with expertise in surveillance, program evaluation, and public health policy analysis to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and strengthen system performance.
- Translate complex infection prevention data into actionable operational improvements by redesigning implementation procedures, partnering with multidisciplinary program specialists, and driving sustainable change.
- Ensure regulatory integrity and ethical compliance through application of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA), Institutional Review Board (IRB) processes, and development of safeguards to prevent unethical conduct.
- Lead executive-level leadership rounds across all clinical departments, conducting HAI audits, environment of care reviews, construction mitigation assessments, and accreditation preparedness activities to reduce risk proactively.
- Direct facility-wide Infection Control Risk Assessment (ICRA) programs, partnering with engineering, facilities, and construction teams during major expansion projects—including new hospital tower activation—to ensure infection prevention integration in design and operations.
- Serve as Infection Prevention representative during accreditation and regulatory surveys, including reviews by DNV, state agencies, and CMS/Medicare, ensuring sustained compliance and survey readiness.
- Achieved measurable reductions in priority HAIs, including decreased Foley catheter utilization and a 27.5% reduction in C. difficile infections through diagnostic stewardship and provider coaching.
- Led multidisciplinary overhaul of the Sterile Processing Department (SPD), improving equipment reliability, steam supply coordination, OR/SPD collaboration, and workflow standardization to mitigate surgical infection risk.
- Strengthen organizational resilience through emergency preparedness planning, water management oversight, emerging infectious disease response, technology integration, and system-wide staff education initiatives.
Infection Control Practitioner
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston, TX
01.2015 - 01.2018
- Infection prevention leader with expertise in epidemiologic surveillance, HAI reduction, and development of system-wide prevention strategies across acute care and specialty populations.
- Conducted data-driven analyses, including incidence, prevalence, and descriptive statistics, to inform prevention programs, policy development, and HAI reduction initiatives for CAUTIs, CLABSIs, VAE, SSIs, and MDROs.
- Established and chaired multidisciplinary committees to prevent surgical site infections, including orthopedic HPRO/KPRO procedures (3,500 annual procedures), achieving six months of zero infections.
- Designed and implemented rapid-cycle ICU HAI reduction plans resulting in six consecutive months without infections, demonstrating measurable process improvement and frontline impact.
- Developed infection control policies, practice guidelines, and educational programs aligned with federal, state, and professional standards (CDC, AORN, APIC), including CEU training for staff and professional organizations.
- Served as system and hospital-level IC liaison for emerging infectious diseases, providing consultation to state and local health departments and the CDC NHSN for policy and surveillance guidance.
- Led infection prevention initiatives in clinical and perioperative areas, including observation of surgical cases, implementation of hand hygiene campaigns, and introduction of antimicrobial products and midline devices.
- Mentored staff and supported Magnet projects, fostering leadership development, clinical excellence, and a culture of safety and accountability.
- Oversaw surveillance, reporting, and data management of potential HAI cases, incorporating epidemiologic principles to guide prevention strategies and improve patient outcomes.
- Chaired and coordinated hospital-wide infection prevention events and awareness programs, including Infection Prevention Week, hand hygiene initiatives, and professional development activities, strengthening engagement and organizational culture.
Infection Control Practitioner/ Disaster Management Specialist
Indian River Medical Center
Vero Beach, FL
01.2014 - 01.2015
- Developed and implemented infection prevention policies and practice guidelines based on social science and epidemiologic evidence, including Ebola preparedness, MDRO isolation protocols, and mandatory influenza vaccination policies.
- Led hospital-wide education programs on infection control policies, emerging pathogens, and preventive devices, improving staff knowledge and compliance.
- Directed process improvement initiatives in sterile processing, reducing immediate-use steam sterilization (IUSS) from 20% to 1% within a year.
- Improved hospital hand hygiene compliance from 11.8% to 55% in seven months through targeted auditing, education, and engagement campaigns.
- Managed HAI reporting and surveillance to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) and Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON), ensuring accurate and timely reporting.
- Served as hospital liaison to county and state health departments, coordinating emergency preparedness drills, public health reporting, and collaborative response plans with CDC and the Treasure Coast Coalition.
- Oversaw compliance and quality survey readiness, representing infection control during Joint Commission and AHCA audits, ensuring sustained accreditation success.
- Led hospital disaster management initiatives, risk assessments, and implementation of notification systems, enhancing emergency preparedness and community safety.
Education
Master of Public Health - Global Communicable Diseases
University of South Florida
Tampa, FL01.2013
Bachelor of Science - Biology, Chemistry Minor, Specialized in Microbiology and Virology
Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL01.2008
Skills
- Healthcare-associated infections surveillance and monitoring
- Regulatory compliance expertise
- Infection risk assessment
- Robust Process Improvement in quality
- Conducting outbreak investigations
- Patient safety advocacy
- Leadership qualities
- Surveillance strategies
- Safety compliance
- Developing prevention policies and procedures
PRESENTATIONS AND LECTURES
- “Hip Check: An Investigation into Infections and Practices Associated with Hip Prosthesis,” American College of Medicine Quality and Safety Conference, July 18, 2025, San Diego, CA
- Walters et al. (2022). Remote infection control assessments of US nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, April to June 2020. Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 23(6), 909-916.
- Collaborated on several presentations and educational tools used by the CDC on the SARS-COV-2 outbreak.
- “From A to Zika: A Better Understand of the Issues,” Houston Methodist Journal Review Board, April 4, 2016, Houston, TX
- “Focusing in on What We Can’t See: Infection Prevention in Radiology,” Gulf Coast of Texas Infusion Nurses Chapter Meeting, September 24, 2016, Houston, TX
- “Infections and Isolation in the Perioperative Environment,” Perioperative Nurses Council, February 11, 2017
Certification
- Certification in Infection Control (CIC) (September 2016) from the Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology
- Certification in Public Health (CPH) (February 2013) from the National Board of Public Health Examiners
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belts (2024)
- Lean Six Sigma Green Belt (July 2019)
- Crucial Conversations (2017)
Timeline
Infection Preventionist (IP) III and System IP Specialist for Orthopedics
Memorial Hermann Hospital System
01.2021 - Current
Infection Prevention Contractor
Northrop Grumman Contractor to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
01.2019 - 01.2021
Infection Preventionist
Piedmont Atlanta Hospital
01.2018 - 01.2019
Infection Control Practitioner
Houston Methodist Hospital
01.2015 - 01.2018
Infection Control Practitioner/ Disaster Management Specialist
Indian River Medical Center
01.2014 - 01.2015
Bachelor of Science - Biology, Chemistry Minor, Specialized in Microbiology and Virology
Florida State University
Master of Public Health - Global Communicable Diseases
University of South Florida