Surveillance Officer Maria Gaitán Recognized for Infection Prevention Role

Maria Gaitán, health project coordinator for the Center for Community Health’s Emerging Infections Program, has received the “Outstanding Contribution to Infection Prevention” award by the Rochester Finger Lakes chapter of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). The award was presented at the APIC meeting in Rochester, during International Infection Prevention Week, Oct. 16–20.

Gaitán’s nomination was voted on and approved by all APIC chapter members. In her role as a Surveillance Officer for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Gaitán is responsible for coordinating flu surveillance data collection in Monroe County and the six surrounding counties. This includes characterizing hospitalized cases of influenza in the region, communicating with regional Infection Preventionists at hospitals and nursing homes, and preparing weekly data summaries for publication on the Monroe County Public Health Department website.

Her nomination underscores the outstanding job Gaitán does, and the significant impact of her work. “Regional influenza colleagues have praised Maria as an excellent collaborator. The information that Maria provides has had far reaching results as individual organizations, Infection Preventionists and epidemiologists have used this information in preparation for actions taken during the influenza season.”