The APIC Center for Practice, Research, and Innovation (CRPI) would like to announce that the 2024 recipient of the APIC Distinguished Scientist Award is Dr. Curtis Donskey, MD. Thank you for your interest and participation in this prestigious recognition.

Curtis Donskey, MD

Curtis Donskey, MD, is the recipient of the 2024 Distinguished Scientist Award. This award recognizes a serious and ongoing commitment on the part of the recipient to advancing the fields of infection prevention, epidemiology, and implementation science. Established in 2001 as the Elaine Larson Lectureship Award, recipients of this award are prominent researchers and scholars whose work has resulted in contributions toward APIC’s vision to create a safer world through prevention of infection. 

Dr. Donskey is an infectious diseases physician and hospital epidemiologist at the Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center and a Professor of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University. His research focuses primarily on epidemiology and control of healthcare-associated pathogens. Some specific areas of interest include Clostridioides difficile, environmental cleaning and disinfection, and evaluation of new technologies. His work has been funded by the Department of Veterans Affairs, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.  

A renowned researcher with more than 600 published articles, some of his most recent noteworthy contributions focus on COVID-19 transmission and prevention. Dr. Donskey’s work has also contributed to the development of practical approaches for monitoring infection control practices in healthcare facilities such as chlorhexidine monitoring in chlorhexidine bathing, carbon dioxide monitoring for ventilation, and the use of colorimetric indicators to assess UV-C light delivery. He was recognized as Clarivate Most Highly Cited Researcher in 2021, 2022, and 2023. One of his most recent projects has been in collaboration on APIC’s pilot environmental cleaning project involving healthcare facilities across the United States. This study looked at terminal cleaning and disinfection practices and the products used to combat spore forming C. difficile and Candida auris. Dr. Donskey and his team at the Cleveland VA were instrumental in conducting this pilot study and have helped shape the future of APIC’s research identity. 

For any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to email CRPI@Apic.org.

The Distinguished Scientist Award, originally named the Elaine Larson Lectureship Award, was established to honor the groundbreaking contributions of Dr. Elaine Larson, a luminary in the field of infection prevention. Since the Award was initiated in 2001, it continues to serve as a prestigious recognition within the scientific community, celebrating the exceptional achievements of scholars who have demonstrated significant and sustained contributions to the science of infection prevention and control. Each year, the Distinguished Scientist Award is bestowed upon an individual who embodies scholarly excellence and leadership that has helped to build the field’s knowledge base and influence clinical practices and public health policies.

In considering nominations for the APIC Distinguished Scientist Award, the Center for Research, Practice, and Innovation assesses the degree to which an individual’s contribution to infection prevention and control has resulted in new scientific discoveries and practical advances, provided seminal support for advancing infection prevention research, or developed novel methods of dissemination and implementation.

 

Individual APIC members or APIC Chapters are encouraged to submit names of potential nominees. The APIC Distinguished Scientist is selected by an awards panel created by the APIC Center of Research, Practice, and Innovation among the list of nominees.

 

Nominations may be carried forward for three years when they can be re-nominated. The Center for Research, Practice, and Innovation seeks unanimity in its selection. When this is impossible, the candidate is selected by a two-thirds majority vote.

The APIC Center for Research, Practice, and Innovation (CRPI) would like to inform you that nominations for the 2025 Distinguished Scientist Award will be open in November 2024. Please stay tuned for updates and further information

 

Year Name
2023 Heather Gilmartin
2022 Peter Hotez
2021 Postponed due to COVID-19
2020 Nadia Safdar
2019 Sarah Krein
2018 Mary Lou Manning
 2017  Patricia Stone
2016 Deverick Anderson
2015 Sanjay Saint
2013 Elaine Larson
2012 William Rutala
2011 Richard Wenzel
2010 Mary Andrus
2009 Tammy Lundstrom
2008 Marguerite Jackson
2007 Carla Alvarado
2006 Denise Murphy
2005 Robert Haley
2004 Michael Osterholm