Constance J. Cutler, MS, BS, BSN, CIC, FSHEA, FAPIC earned her CIC certification in 1983. She currently serves as CEO/President & Infection Prevention Consultant for Chicago Infection Control, Inc. and works for APIC Consulting.
Cutler has been board certified in infection prevention and control for over forty years and served as a member of the CBIC Board of Directors from 2012-2017 and was elected Treasurer for two terms. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Nursing and a Master of Science in Biological Sciences.
CBIC Executive Director, Jessica Dangles, sat down with Cutler to learn more about her experience with certification and her impressive career in infection prevention and control.
After moving to Chicago in the 1980’s Cutler was involved with her local APIC chapter and got connected to an early mentor, Carol A. Mason, an established IP at Central DuPage Hospital. Mason had given a talk at a local APIC meeting in the Chicago area about identifying a Salmonella outbreak linked to 2% milk early on before the large northern Illinois Salmonella outbreak of 1985. When the outbreak happened, Mason was able to help the local health department and she believes Mason’s work led to saving lives. Cutler states it was fascinating to learn about the demographics and how outbreaks can very specific.
Certification was also discussed at the local meetings, and she admired those that had already pursued certification. Cutler attended the APIC conference to learn about the examination specifications. She refers to herself as a “professional student at heart” and it was easy for her to study any time she had a spare moment at work and at home. Cutler describes the CIC as a self-fulfillment and has seen the movement to CIC leading to better pay, better employment, and future advancement opportunities.
When asked why she continued to recertify, she says because she knew this would be her job for life. “I had found my niche”, says Cutler. She knew she would be in the field for her entire career after earning initial certification and she continues to work in the field. Recertifying is a way to remain up to date and she sees value in reviewing the basics of infection prevention and control.
Cutler credits watching 2007 APIC President Denise Murphy MPH, BSN, RN, CIC, FAAN with sparking her interest in serving on the CBIC Board of Directors when Murphy was her boss from 2009 to 2016. “I really admired Denise Murphy’s ability to see the big picture,” says Cutler. “She encouraged me to get into a national effort which led me to CBIC.” Through CBIC she made long lasting friendships and professional connections. Cutler continues to mentor staff that are pursuing certification and encourages them to have two years of experience prior to applying.
Cutler has thoroughly enjoyed her career in infection prevention and control. “There is never a dull day. There is so much spontaneity that happens,” says Cutler. “In infection prevention and control you are always learning, and this has been a profession where learning never stops.” Cutler is a prime example of a lifelong learner –she was just accepted to Tulane’s School of Public Health to earn her doctorate in Public Health and starts this fall. CBIC looks forward to staying in touch with Cutler and connecting with other CIC certificants that have reached major certification milestones.