FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For additional information, contact:
Michelle Lee
Executive Director
(800) 298-6727
[email protected]

December 6, 2020 (ATLANTA) — The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) was recently named a liaison organization for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). HICPAC provides advice and guidance to the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); the Director, CDC; the Deputy Director, for Infectious Diseases (DDID), CDC; the Director, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), CDC; and the Director, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DQHP), CDC, regarding the practice of infection control and strategies for surveillance, prevention, and control of healthcare-associated infections, antimicrobial resistance, and related events in settings where healthcare is provided.

OSAP’s Vice Chair, Eve Cuny, MS, will serve as OSAP’s liaison representative, providing scientific and programmatic expertise and representing OSAP’s viewpoint during HICPAC’s activities. These activities include providing advice and guidance on the development and evaluation of healthcare infection prevention and control guidelines and guidance; the development of policy statements regarding the prevention and surveillance of healthcare-associated infections and healthcare-related conditions; and new and updated surveillance methodologies related to healthcare-associated infections. Ms. Cuny currently serves as Executive Associate Dean and Associate Professor, Diagnostic Sciences for the University of the Pacific, Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry.

Michelle Lee, CPC, OSAP’s Executive Director, stated, “We are pleased that OSAP was approved as a liaison organization and added to the HICPAC charter. OSAP is the first oral health organization to be included in this prestigious and influential federal advisory committee. Ms. Cuny, a leading expert in dental infection prevention and safety, is an excellent representative for both the association and the profession.”

“I am very excited at the opportunity to bring the contributions of OSAP and dental infection prevention to this advisory committee as the liaison organization representative,” Eve Cuny added.

HICPAC meetings are open to the public and occur up to 8 times a year. For more information visit www.cdc.gov/hicpac.

About OSAP

The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) is the only dental membership association solely focused on infection prevention and patient safety education. Our members include individual clinicians, group practices, educators, researchers, consultants, trainers, compliance directors, policymakers, and industry representatives who advocate for safe and infection-free delivery of oral healthcare. OSAP focuses on strategies to improve compliance with safe practices and on building a strong network of recognized infection control experts. OSAP offers an extensive online collection of resources, publications, FAQs, checklists, and toolkits that help dental professionals deliver the Safest Dental Visit for their patients. Plus, online and live courses help advance the level of knowledge and skill for every member of the dental team. For additional information, visit osap.org.

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