Conversation with Lerenza Howard, DHSc, MHA, CIC, LSSGB -...

What this episode covers

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today, I’m joined by Lerenza Howard, an Infection Prevention leader whose career journey brings such a thoughtful and encouraging perspective to the field. Lerenza came into Infection Prevention from a microbiology background, and her story is a great example of how valuable non-nursing pathways can be in this profession. From clinical laboratory work to starting her Infection Prevention career in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic, her path reflects both the complexity of the role and the level of resilience, curiosity, and critical thinking it takes to grow in it. In this conversation, Lerenza shares what it was like to enter Infection Prevention during one of the most intense seasons healthcare has faced, how she built confidence as a non-nurse in a field that has historically leaned heavily toward nursing backgrounds, and what helped her develop the clinical knowledge, leadership skills, and professional presence needed to succeed. We also talk about certification, mentorship, APIC involvement, career advancement, and why relationship-building and continuous learning are so essential in this work. If you’re interested in nontraditional paths into Infection Prevention, leadership growth, and practical encouragement for both new and aspiring IPs, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Let’s dive in. _________________________ 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. Voice for Infection Prevention Website | https://voiceforip.com LinkedIn | https://linkedin.com/company/voice-for-infection-prevention Instagram | https://instagram.com/voiceforinfectionprevention Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/voiceforip/ Twitter | https://twitter.com/voiceforip Tik Tok | https://www.tiktok.com/@voiceforip Clutch Recruitment Jacob Hutcherson | https://linkedin.com/in/jacob-hutcherson Jonnie Jacobs | https://linkedin.com/in/jonnie-jacobs Jordan Turner | https://linkedin.com/in/jordan-turner-3ab7731a8 Website | https://clutchrecruitment.com Linkedin | https://linkedin.com/company/clutchrecruitment Instagram | https://instagram.com/clutchrecruitment Facebook | https://facebook.com/clutchrecruitment Twitter | https://twitter.com/clutchREC

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Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Voice for Infection Prevention?

This episode is 48 minutes long.

When was this Voice for Infection Prevention episode published?

This episode was published on May 5, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today, I’m joined by Lerenza Howard, an Infection Prevention leader whose career journey brings such a thoughtful and encouraging perspective to the field. Lerenza...

Can I download this Voice for Infection Prevention episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.