IPAC Northern Alberta (IPAC NA)

IPAC NA History

A View of the Past

Edmonton Infection Control Interest Group was started in the mid 1970s by a group of Infection Control & Occupational Health Nurses from the 6 major acute care hospitals: Charles Camsell, Edmonton General, Glenrose Rehabilitation, Misericordia, Royal Alexandra (RAH) and University of Alberta (UAH); as well as, the Nurse Epidemiologist, Edmonton Board of Health, and a Microbiologist from each - Misericordia, RAH and UAH. They met monthly, with a President, Secretary and Program Convener as voluntary positions, and minutes were recorded. The purpose of the group was for support, problem solving, education and planning.

In 1982 the group lost the Microbiologists, but from 1982 – 85 expanded to include Continuing Care -representatives from Good Samaritan Society and Capital Care - Lynnwood; the STD Clinic; Remand Centre and Industry. The structure became more formalized with the election of office bearers and official records. Around this time the name changed to Northern Alberta Practitioners in Infection Control – NAPIC. In 1985, while Maureen Miller was president, NAPIC became a formalized Chapter of CHICA – Canada.

In 1989 a planning group of NAPIC members started fundraising and planning for the National CHICA Conference in Edmonton scheduled for 1993. Co-chaired by Shirley Gaudet and Maureen Miller, the planning culminated in an extremely successful conference. The cohesiveness and friendships which developed during this time have continued over the subsequent years.

At the CHICA Town Hall meeting in Thunder Bay, Ontario in 2003 it was suggested that many provincial chapters bore no obvious connection to CHICA – Canada. NAPIC considered this suggestion and made the decision to change the name of the group to CHICA - Northern Alberta (CHICA – NA). Although the name has changed over the past 35 years the purpose remains the same – education, problem solving, support and planning!

(Information from script by Maureen Miller “Afternoon Tea with Maureen”, an interview conducted by Marg McKenzie at the NAPIC meeting December 10, 2003 celebrating Maureen’s 25 years in infection prevention & control).