History

APIC was founded in 1972 by a pioneering group of infection control nurses who recognized the need for an organized approach to preventing healthcare-associated infections. APIC is now a multidisciplinary organization which serves more than 15,000 members in 48 countries.

• Visit the timeline to explore APIC’s rich history.
• See the full list of APIC’s founders, including the first board of directors, executive committee, and steering committee.
• View a list of APIC’s past presidents and read some of their reflections about the organization.
• Read historical reflections of past presidents in the article titled “40 years of growth and progress” in the winter 2012 issue of Prevention Strategist.

  Watch a video and find out what forty years of growth and progress has meant to members.

History highlight 

Carole DeMille served as APIC president from 1975-76. One of APIC’s visionary founders, she later became an internationally recognized authority in the developing field of hospital infection control. She was known for her reverence of the past, vision of the future, and optimistic approach to present day realities. She passed away in 1979, but her vision lives on in the work of infection preventionists and front-line care teams throughout the world. In 1980, APIC established an award in her honor. Access the 2013 application and read remembrances of Carole.