Measles is back, and when a community outbreak hit in early 2025, one children’s hospital had to move fast. In this episode, hosts Nicki and Jess are joined by Chris, Christie, and Lacey to break down how their multidisciplinary team rapidly designed and implemented infection prevention strategies to protect pediatric patients, families, and staff. From emergency department screening sheds and temporary negative pressure rooms to staff education, fit testing, and coordination with public health, our guests walk through what worked, what was challenging, and the real-world lessons learned from managing a highly contagious virus in a healthcare setting. This conversation offers practical insights for infection preventionists and healthcare leaders preparing for vaccine-preventable disease outbreaks.
Guests:
- Lacey Kovar, MPH, CIC, Senior Infection Preventionist, Covenant Children’s Hospital
- Chris Gould, MBA, Senior Director of Environment of Care, Facilities Engineering for the Texas-New Mexico Region, Covenant Health
- Christie Vandygriff, MSIPE, BSN, RN, Senior Manager of Infection Prevention, Covenant Hea
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Lacey Kovar
Lacey Kovar, MPH, CIC, serves as a Senior Infection Preventionist at Covenant Children’s Hospital, where she is dedicated to advancing patient safety and reducing healthcare-associated infections. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Texas Tech University and a Master of Public Health from the University of North Texas Health Science Center. Board Certified in Infection Prevention and Control, Lacey brings nine years of experience in inpatient care and hospital-based ambulatory clinics. Her career began in public health as an acute disease epidemiologist, investigating communicable diseases and outbreaks, a foundation that continues to shape her evidence-based approach to infection prevention.
Chris Gould
Chris is a seasoned leader in healthcare facilities, with over 14 years of experience at Covenant Health. He is dedicated to cultivating environments that promote safe, efficient, and compassionate care. In his current role as Senior Director of Environment of Care, Facilities Engineering for the Texas–New Mexico Region, he is responsible for the strategic oversight and operational excellence across multiple facilities and facilities teams, ensuring congruence with Covenant Health’s mission and organizational goals.
Chris’s career began as the owner of a custom metal fabrication and home-building enterprise. The bedrock of Chris’s leadership was established during his service in the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Christie Vandygriff
Christie Vandygriff, MSIPE, BSN, RN, is the Senior Manager of Infection Prevention at Covenant Health, serving West Texas and surrounding communities. She is a registered nurse with more than 20 years of hospital experience and 17 years specializing in infection prevention in healthcare settings. Christie holds a BSN from Lubbock Christian University, a Master of Science in Infection Prevention and Epidemiology from the University of Providence, and is Board Certified in Infection Control.