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Pardee honors Team Member of the Year

Ivan Gowe, an infection preventionist, is Pardee's Team Member of the Year.

By Lightning Reports, Published: June 21, 2022

Ivan Gowe, an infection preventionist whose area of expertise proved invaluable during the coronavirus pandemic, has been named 2021 Team Member of the Year at Pardee UNC Health Care, the hospital announced.
Gowe, who has been with Pardee for six years, was honored at a celebration on June 14 for his work to provide healthcare workers with the information and tools they need to keep patients safe and prevent infections. In this role, Gowe looks for patterns of infection within the facility; observes hygiene and work practices; educates healthcare teams; advises hospital leaders and other professionals; compiles infection data; develops policies and procedures; and coordinates with local and national public health agencies.
When nominating him for this award,
“Ivan has been a constant source of knowledge, expertise, and guidance for the organization through the pandemic,” Gowe’s colleagues said in nominating him for the award. He worked with the Infectious Disease and Emergency Management teams to educate and train staff and implement safety protocols and practices as they related to Covid-19. His work in helping to develop and operate an indoor mass Covid-19 vaccination clinic was profiled in the International Journal of Infection Control. The article, which Gowe co-authored, details how Pardee developed a safe, efficient operation of a mass Covid-19 vaccination clinic during a time when guidelines for indoor clinics were limited.
Gowe and the hospital’s infection control team also assisted the Hendersonville Rescue Mission in implementing safety practices and protocols, which enabled them to remain operationally open throughout the entire pandemic at a time when many other shelters across the country had to close or relocate for extended periods. He is “dedicated to his field and always researching ways to improve, empowering others with knowledge, and exceeding expectations set upon him,” his colleagues said
“Ivan is a true asset to our team,” Pardee CEO Jay Kirby added. “His attention to detail and commitment to patient- and team-member safety was always on point, but especially so during the past two years. We are fortunate to have him as a valued member of our organization.”