Julie Weir

While I have worked for many years informally supporting this type of work, I started my formalized role in Infection Control in May 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic an at a time when there were many unknowns, so many unknowns. I can assure you that after over 20 years of my nursing career, I have never felt more or better supported than I did through the pandemic. The infection control community came around me, answered my endless questions and even tolerated my random rants. We created a network of colleagues who provided rapid responses to meet the needs of one-another.

There is so much potential in the infection control space. I believe that this area is an untapped opportunity for the research potential in this space. My hope is that in the coming years that we will spend more time, energy and resources ($$) in this space. This will support the immense need and benefit from robust infection control programs.

Coming into the infection control world during a global pandemic and from a small Atlantic province, the applied value of the learning and networking with other colleagues from across the country offered immeasurable benefit. We were able to hear what was happening in Alberta, Quebec and beyond and were able to adapt our outbreak plans accordingly. I would never have had this opportunity otherwise.
The cross-provincial collaboration and knowledge sharing is amazing. Understanding not only what is happening in other provinces, but also how priorities are changing….and which best practices changes are working in different settings. These learnings are invaluable.