Infection Prevention Practitioner
Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), Houston, TX, USA
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, Houston, TX, USA
Disclosure(s): No financial relationships to disclose
Kayla Elizabeth Ruch, PhD, MPH, CIC, CPH, HACP, is a dedicated epidemiologist specializing in infection prevention and control. With a PhD in Epidemiology from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing public health through her academic achievements and professional contributions. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences and Chemistry from South Dakota State University and a Master’s in Public Health from The University of Texas Health Science Center, specializing in Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences. She is a certified professional in infection control (CIC), public health (CPH), and healthcare accreditation (HACP), underscoring her commitment to maintaining high standards in her field.
In her current role at the Texas Epidemic Public Health Institute (TEPHI), Dr. Ruch is pivotal in developing and presenting infection prevention and control content for the Rural Healthcare Core. She is recognized for her leadership in guiding infection prevention practices in healthcare settings, consulting on multiple projects, and overseeing graduate students in content development. Dr. Ruch has also served as an Infection Prevention Practitioner Consultant, significantly operationalizing COVID-19 and Mpox surveillance, monitoring, and IPC program development at healthcare facilities in Texas, New York, and California. Her work in these roles reflects her deep expertise in infection control and her ability to manage and respond to public health crises. Her research interests focus on infection prevention and control development, implementing operational practices, and educating healthcare workers, patients, and community members.