When Stephanie Carraway relocated to Tampa from Florida’s East Coast 12 years ago, she took a job as a secretary in the infection prevention department at Moffitt Cancer Center.

“My time there proved to be highly influential,” said Carraway, a native of Islamorada, Fla., and a 2006 graduate of Florida State University. “I became deeply inspired by the department, prompting me to pursue a specialization in infection prevention.”

In 2013, Carraway enrolled in classes at USF to acquire a graduate certificate in infection control, which sparked an even broader interest in public health. In 2015, she received her MPH from USF’s College of Public Health with a specialization in infection control.

Carraway said what she loves about the work is her ability to have a direct impact on an individual’s health and well-being.

“Our primary objective revolves around ensuring the well-being of both patients and staff, shielding them from the risks associated with communicable diseases and infections that they might be vulnerable to during their hospital stay,” Carraway said. “It is truly gratifying to witness the positive impact my team can make by introducing projects or processes that enhance the health outcomes of our patients and the safety of our staff.”

Carraway credits her COPH training with helping her climb to the top.

“The invaluable knowledge I gained at USF has played a pivotal role in shaping my current position,” she stated. “My experience at USF has enabled me to successfully transition into the role of an infection preventionist, significantly expanding my responsibilities within my organization. I started as a secretary and today, I stand as director of infection prevention at a prominent comprehensive cancer center, a testament to the transformative power of education and personal growth.”

Infection control’s ever-changing nature keeps Carraway on her toes.

“I am dedicated to the education of health care personnel and the general public regarding infectious diseases and effective measures to contain their spread,” she said. “Through this outreach, I aim to foster awareness and empower individuals with knowledge on limiting the transmission of infectious diseases. I firmly believe that in this role, the learning process never ceases. There is an endless array of knowledge and skills to acquire, and I relish the opportunity to face and overcome such challenges.”

Carraway said one of her greatest professional accomplishments is being selected as a fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Fellows of the APIC must demonstrate exceptional expertise and leadership in the field of infection control and epidemiology, including publishing in peer-reviewed journals and exhibiting proficiency in at least three of the four domains of infection prevention (for example, operations and performance improvement, professional stewardship, etc.).

“Receiving the title of APIC fellow is an accomplishment that I am immensely proud of. It highlights my dedication to infection prevention and control, as well as my commitment to advancing the field through leadership and scholarly contributions,” Carraway said.

Carraway intends on staying put at Moffitt, at least for the time being.

“I love working at Moffitt. I feel like I have truly found my passion and I love what I do,” she said. “I am not sure what the future holds for my career, but I am along for the ride!”

Alumni Fast Five:

What did you dream of becoming when you were young?

I was always inspired by doctors and thought medicine was super cool!

Where would we find you on the weekend?

You will most likely find me spending time with my family. My weekends are when I get to have fun with my 5-year-old daughter and my husband. I look forward to different activities and watching my daughter grow and play! There is no other place I would rather be.

What is the last book you read?

I am currently pursuing my MBA, so the only books I have read lately are about finance!

What superpower would you like to have?

I would love to be able to heal people. You know…place your hand on a broken arm and fix it. There would be no better feeling!

What’s your all-time favorite movie?

This is tough, and I am not sure I could pick just one. I really loved “Mrs. Doubtfire” growing up and that’s in my top 10!

Story by Donna Campisano, USF College of Public Health