Kelly Zabriskie’s career in Infection Prevention took a significant turn when she accepted a role overseeing Infection Prevention across nearly 20 hospitals just as the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In her interview, Kelly describes the whirlwind of assuming this new position at the beginning of 2020, just as COVID-19 thrust healthcare systems into crisis mode. Initially managing both her system-wide responsibilities and the Infection Prevention needs of her own hospital, Kelly was thrown into an intense dual role without the luxury of gradual transition, tackling both roles at the height of the pandemic.
Kelly reflects on her natural inclination for hands-on work, noting that she enjoys “getting into the weeds,” doing rounds, and conducting investigations directly. This new role required a significant shift from operational duties to strategic oversight, which she found challenging. Learning to lead from a distance meant stepping back, trusting her team, and taking on more of a guiding role rather than being directly involved in the day-to-day tasks she once handled herself. It was a process of letting go, a transition that took time and patience.
The simultaneous demands of COVID-19 and her new role delayed her ability to fully understand and implement her position’s long-term objectives. With her attention focused on coordinating COVID-19 efforts across the hospitals, Kelly found herself “double transitioning”—first managing the immediate crisis, then, as the pandemic eased, gradually shifting to the high-level strategy required by her new position. This period taught her the importance of patience and adaptability, especially in fast-evolving healthcare environments.
Kelly emphasizes the value of “leading with influence” in this kind of system-wide role. Rather than diving into operational issues, she learned the importance of evaluating situations, listening to her team, and fostering open communication. She stresses that new leaders in similar positions benefit from pausing to observe and understand their system’s unique challenges and strengths before implementing changes. Her advice? Take a 90-day evaluation period when possible to build a clear understanding of what each facility needs and how best to support their Infection Prevention efforts.
Kelly’s journey from direct, hands-on Infection Prevention to strategic system-wide leadership offers a powerful lesson in adaptability and patience. Her story is a testament to the importance of growing into a role by balancing hands-on expertise with high-level oversight. For more insights on her unique career path and practical advice for leaders, Kelly’s full interview can be found on Voice for Infection Prevention.