Queena Shen

My name is Queena, and I serve as the IPAC Lead at a Long-Term Care Home in Toronto. My journey in Infection Prevention and Control started during the COVID-19 crisis in 2020.

Currently, I lead the IPAC program at Midland Gardens Care Community and train new IPAC leads within the Sienna organization, extending support across its network. My role involves implementing infection control procedures, providing staff education, and managing outbreak responses. My hands-on approach to auditing practices, monitoring surveillance, and outbreak management allows me to effectively enhance IPAC programs, significantly reducing infection rates and elevating compliance with health and safety standards.

I have implemented IPAC best practices aligned with Public Health Ontario, Ministry of Long-Term Care, Ministry of Labour, and Accreditation Canada standards. As a co-chair of the Joint Health and Safety Committee since 2022, a certified member, and a fit-test trainer, I provide comprehensive infection prevention and control education across all levels of staff.

Proficient in PointClickCare and Microsoft Office, I efficiently manage data analysis and quality improvement initiatives, contributing to the overall effectiveness of our programs. My leadership fosters a culture of safety and compliance, emphasized through continuous education and auditing of health practices.

One of my passions outside of my profession is designing jewelry, particularly crafting necklaces and earrings. The act of creation invigorates me, and I cherish every moment of the process. I love to learn and to read or write to express feeling. My next step goals are to gain certification for CIC and advance CIC certification, meanwhile obtain CPHQ certification to be a standardized certified consultant.

I currently serve as the Infection Prevention Control (IPAC) Lead at Midland Gardens Care Community, where I have been since February 2022. In this role, I lead the IPAC program, focusing on developing and enforcing infection control procedures, conducting audits, and training staff. My efforts have been instrumental in managing outbreak responses and infectious disease surveillance, significantly reducing infection rates and improving compliance with health standards.

Previously, I was the IPAC Lead at St. Clair O’Connor Community Inc. from 2020 to February 2022. During my tenure, I implemented and coordinated IPAC practices to ensure compliance with Ministry of Health standards, facilitated data submissions, and managed adherence to MOH IPAC Standards.

Before my role as IPAC Lead, I served as the Quality/Education Coordinator at St. Clair O’Connor Community Inc. from 2019 to 2020. In this position, I developed and executed staff training programs focusing on infection prevention, which improved organizational performance and compliance.

Earlier in my career, from 2008 to 2019, I worked as the Activity Coordinator and Acting Program Services Supervisor at St. Clair O’Connor Community Inc. I managed the Life Enrichment team operations, including budget management and ensuring compliance with MOHLTC guidelines.

Driven by a constant thirst for knowledge, I earned a degree in gerontology in 2020, completed an IPAC certificate at Queen's University in February 2022, and enrolled in an IPAC course at UBC in January 2023, with completion expected in August 2024. On April 8th, I received my LTC-CIP certification.