Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! Today, I’m joined by Jennifer Cox, an Infection Prevention leader whose career journey is such a great example of how this field often finds people gradually — and then continues to challenge and shape them over time.

Jennifer’s path into Infection Prevention started with an early interest in microbiology, then grew through bedside nursing, small hospital experience, and years of learning the profession from the ground up. What makes her story especially meaningful is the way it reflects so many realities of this work: stepping into the role before you feel fully ready, learning through curiosity and persistence, building confidence over time, and continuing to grow through new environments, new responsibilities, and new leadership challenges.

In this conversation, Jennifer shares what it was like to begin in a small rural hospital with limited resources, how she developed as both an Infection Preventionist and a leader, and what she’s learned from working across community settings, large health systems, and now an academic medical center. We also talk about mentorship, certification, professional involvement, team design, and why qualities like humility, curiosity, and a willingness to keep learning matter so much in this profession.

If you’re interested in career growth, leadership development, and the kind of mindset that helps people succeed in Infection Prevention over the long haul, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

Let’s dive in.

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Voice for Infection Prevention is a production of Clutch Recruitment. Clutch Recruitment, founded by Jacob Hutcherson, is the leading recruiting firm exclusively committed to Infection Prevention & Control recruitment.

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