2026 Board Members
Board Officers:
President: Alyssa Diehl
Alyssa Diehl is an experienced Infection Preventionist with over four years of expertise in both acute and post-acute care settings. She currently serves as an Infection Control Specialist and Educator, bringing a strong commitment to patient safety and quality improvement. Alyssa has been a proud member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) since 2022 and holds dual certifications as a Certified Infection Control (CIC) professional and Long-Term Care CIC (LTC-CIC).
Her professional journey includes nearly two years with the St. Alphonsus Health System, where she has contributed to advancing infection prevention practices across diverse care environments. Alyssa’s academic achievements include a Doctorate in Health Sciences and a Master’s in Public Health, underscoring her dedication to evidence-based practice and lifelong learning.
Originally from Oklahoma, Alyssa has called Idaho home since 2011. Both she and her husband have served their country—Alyssa in the Idaho Air National Guard and her husband in the U.S Air Force and Idaho Air Guard. Outside of her professional role, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her family, playing video games, Jeeping, and exploring the scenic beauty of Idaho.
President Elect: Don Rock
APIC and IAPIC member since 2016 and CIC certified in 2019, I currently work as a Quality Program Specialist in Infection Prevention for St. Luke’s Health System. I have worked in healthcare since 1980 in various roles, including surgical technology, RN circulating nurse and SPD manager. My spare time finds me often engaged playing the part of Grandpa Extraordinaire. Other pursuits include (in no particular order) fishing, reading, Family, games, honey-do projects, gardening, and playing with the dogs.
Past President: Cody Otto
I have been an I-APIC member since 2019, CIC certified in 2022 and LSSGB certified in 2022. I have worked for St. Luke’s Health System as an Infection Preventionist for the last 4 years. I have experience in Ambulatory and Acute Infection Prevention as well as Environment of Care/Accreditation. I have been with St. Luke’s since 2016, and have a real passion for the systems values, Infection Prevention and Healthcare Quality. Perhaps greater is my passion for the outdoors and Idaho, having grown up and spent my whole life here. I love change and adversity and am willing to provide support to new and veteran IP’s in any shape or form or talk about all things Idaho outdoors! ottocod@slhs.org
Secretary: Debbie Cutforth
I began my healthcare career in 2005 with a Medical Laboratory Science degree from Idaho State University. I am now juggling lab manager and sole IP at Power County Hospital District (PCHD) in American Falls, Idaho. I have been in my Infection Control role since 2016. In 2018 I became CIC certified with the help from a grant/scholarship from Department of Health and Welfare that Susan Heppler helped to facilitate. My lab career and the 18 years I spent as a pharmacy technician comes in handy in my IP role, especially the Antibiotic Stewardship part. I have attended National APIC several times, traveling to Portland 2017, Philadelphia 2019, Indianapolis 2022, Orlando 2023, San Antonio 2024. I have previously held the position of I-APIC board member 2019-2020. In my personal life, I am married and have two grown children with two grandchildren that I love to spoil. I love to travel with my sister and camp/RZR ride with my husband and family. On cold winter nights, I can be found reading or crafting (cross-stitch, card making + dabbling in all other crafts) or baking. I plan on retiring at the end of 2025, and I am looking forward to having time to spend with friends and family.
Treasurer: Samantha Birch
I began working as a clinical lab scientist in 2005 and worked in a lab for about 6 years in an acute care hospital, then moved to supervisor position in the student health center at the University of Montana. I completed an MPH in 2014 and took a position in the TB & HIV program for the Wyoming Department of Health where I worked for 3.5 years. I spent the summer/fall of 2018 volunteering on a TB & leprosy project in the Marshall Islands. In 2019, I began a position as an Infection Prevention Specialist at Saint Alphonsus in Boise, ID and became CIC certified in 2021. I was able to spend another 5 weeks on a TB & leprosy project this spring in Chuuk, Micronesia. Outside of work, I do a lot of biking, hiking, and persuading my partner to go fly fishing (believe it or not, we don’t have any dogs). samantha.birch@saintalphonsus.org, 208-367-7871
Board of Directors:
Tara Janca (2025 - 2026)
I have worked at St. Luke's now for 12 years, starting in the laboratory and moving into Infection Prevention where I have been for the last 5 years. My undergraduate education is in Animal Science, and I worked in veterinary medicine for nearly a decade before transitioning into the people-side of medicine. I also have a degree in French, because--why not? During the Pandemic of 2020 I received my Master's in Health Science degree and graduated with the rest of my class from our living rooms. In my free time I am torn between learning to play the drums, mountain biking in the foothills, running with the dog, and any kind of old-soul creative endeavor (farming, canning, knitting, wood-carving, foraging).
Esther Peters (2025 - 2026)
I have been an I-APIC member since 2007 and became CIC certified in 2024. I became a licensed RN in 1999 and earned my BSN in 2016. I have been an Infection Prevention Nurse since 2007, working at St. Benedict's, then St. Luke's, and currently Minidoka Memorial Hospital. I have lived in the Magic Valley since 1998 and absolutely love it here! I have four children, all of which have moved out of the house, and five grandchildren. I love to travel, read mystery/suspense novels, go camping, and visit the grandkids. I have grown to love Infection Prevention and learn more and more each day. Please feel free to reach out to me at epeters@minidokamemorial.com.
Nicola Selfa (2025 - 2026)
I-APIC member since 2022. I have a BS in Microbiology and a Masters of Science in Microbiology. I started working as a MLS in 2006 and became the Microbiology Supervisor at EIRMC in 2012. After COVID I moved from the lab to infection prevention at Portneuf Medical Center. I love logic problems, word games and reading. I am an avid skier, whether it is downhill, backcountry, cross country or touring. If the snow is really bad I can be talked into snowshoeing. I have enjoyed learning the role of infection prevention. I love that every day I get to learn something new and I love problem solving as a team to find processes to help reduce the risk of infection. I am happy to network and exchange ideas, so feel free to reach out to me. nicola.selfa@portmed.org or 208-239-1052
Kathryn (Katie) Lawson (2026 - 2027)
Infection Preventionist at Portneuf Medical center. Bachelors - Biology; Bachelors- Medical Lab Science; Certification: MLS ASCP; I-APIC member for 6 months. My goals as a board member are to strengthen my knowledge and skills as an infection preventionist by learning from the collective expertise of colleagues, so that I can bring fresh perspectives and practical value back to my organization and the Intermountain APIC community, and build strong connections with other infection preventionists across the region to foster collaboration, share best practices, and contribute to a supportive network that advances our common mission of reducing infection risks and improving patient safety. Previous experience (including voluntary positions in a non-profit) or skill sets that would make me successful in this role: I served as Secretary on the board for the Idaho Period Project. As a newer IP, I bring curiosity and openness to learning which helps me ask important questions and challenge assumptions. I am motivated to engage with peers and actively participate rather than just observe. I am able to quickly adapt to changing situations and am able to identify solutions that might not be immediately obvious.
Brittany Maughan Normand (2026 - 2027)
Infection Prevention, employee health at Minidoka Memorial Hospital. ADN, ACLS, PALS, Ultrasound guided midline insertion, 3 years I-APIC member. My goals as a board member are to attend APIC conference to increase knowledge and begin studying for CIC. Previous experience (including voluntary positions in a non-profit) or skill sets that would make me successful in this role: I have always been asked to be in leadership type roles. I believe this is because of my ability to work with and understand others as well as my work ethic.
Vendor Liaison:
Julia Lipscomb (2026)
I began my career in medical distribution sales during the pandemic in Virginia, selling Durable Medical Equipment and Supplies at McKesson. I was deeply passionate about my role in ensuring my customers received the critical medical supplies they needed, despite widespread allocation challenges. In 2022 I relocated to Seattle, WA and moved to the manufacturing side of things at PDI. I now cover 5 states in the PNW. I’m incredibly grateful to work in one of the most beautiful territories in the country, collaborating with dedicated professionals committed to saving lives and delivering high-quality care. Outside of work you can find me at concerts, hiking, at the gym, or spending time with family and friends!