Irena L. Kenneley

Irena L. Kenneley, PhD, RN, CNE, CIC, FAPIC is a researcher, Associate Professor, and Faculty Development Director at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. She teaches microbiology, infection prevention and public health to undergraduate and graduate nursing students. Dr. Kenneley has over 30 years of experience across the continuum in health care delivery and as an infection preventionist and selected as a Fellow of APIC in its inaugural year. Dr. Kenneley began her career as a microbiologist and medical technologist. She has worked in numerous areas within nursing and infection prevention including critical care, risk management and performance improvement. She is an Advanced Practice Public Health Clinical Nurse Specialist. She is a Fellow of APIC, a Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), CIC certified, and has recently been elected to APICs Board of Directors (2017-2019).

In 2002 she joined the faculty of the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University. She has expertise in research, infection prevention, microbiology, immunology, home health care, long-term care, and international pandemic planning. She frequently speaks to the media on infectious disease and infection prevention issues. The recipient of numerous awards, Dr. Kenneley was a past Chair of APICs Research Committee, past member of the Communications Committee, and has been the Home Care Section Chair. She is a member of many other professional organizations including the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, the Midwest Nursing Research Society, National League of Nurses, and the Ohio Nurses Association.