Meet Our Board

 Katherine (Kathy) Buechel is an infection prevention specialist with the Tennessee Department of Health’s Healthcare Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Stewardship Program since 2015. She has performed Ebola and ICAR assessment visits across the state and serves as a resource for many healthcare facilities in Tennessee. She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Tennessee Technological University and has been certified in infection control (CIC) since 2007. She obtained her long-term care certification in infection prevention (LTC-CIP) in 2022. She has over 37 years of healthcare experience including home health care, emergency nursing, labor and delivery, occupational health, nursing/patient education, and infection control. In her spare time, she enjoys a quiet, rural life with her artist husband and spoils her 5 grandchildren every chance she gets.

Tracey Rhodes is an Infection Prevention Specialist for the Tennessee Department of Health HAI/AR Division. In this role she provides consultative infection prevention services for healthcare systems and facilities throughout northeast TN. Prior to her role with the Tennessee Department of Health, Tracey had an extensive career in infection prevention for Mountain States Health Alliance and Ballad Health. Tracey began her infection prevention career in 2006 and has held her board certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology since 2012. She obtained the LTC-CIP certification from CBIC in 2023. Tracey holds a Master of Science degree in nursing with a concentration in infection prevention, and a Bachelor of Science degree in both nursing and environmental science.

Jessica Burns BSPH, CIC is an Infection Prevention Specialist with the HAI/AR Program at TDH. Prior to this role, she served at Ballad Health as an Infection Preventionist as well as the Emerging Pathogens and Infectious Disease Prevention Training Coordinator, starting her career in Infection Prevention in 2012. She has maintained board certification (CIC) since 2016. Jessica is a resident of Jonesborough with her husband, Jonathan, and three daughters – Arabella (13) Avery (11) and Millicent (3). She enjoys a simple cozy life at home with her loved ones, watching the kids and puppy play together, exploring the beautiful mountains of TN, and painting (in her not so often spare time). Fun fact: Jessicas favorite food is tacos!

Amy Rymer-Sheets is the Infection Preventionist at Methodist Medical Center. I have a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology, Medical Laboratory Science degree and earned my CIC in the middle of COVID.  I started as a Medical Laboratory Scientist in Micro lab at MMC, then moved into Infection Prevention in 2019.  I live in Farragut, Tennessee and when I’m not working love to golf, garden, bake and take my pup FizzGig on long walks to tire us both out.   

I have been a nurse for 31 yrs… I have worked mostly in the operating room first as a scrub tech then went back to school to get my BSN. I have managed an Outpatient Surgery center, then moved to Infection Prevention. Where I have been for 10 yrs.I purchased a Kayak during the Pandemic and have fell in love with the lake. It’s my way to zin out… I have 2 adult kids… and a Lovely Wife of 36 yrs.

Sara Dodson, MT(ASCP), CIC, CPHQ is an Infection Preventionist who joined the Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program at the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) in January 2025. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Murray State University and brings over 15 years of experience in the laboratory, specializing in Microbiology. In 2008, Sara discovered her passion for Infection Prevention and Control, transitioning into various roles, including a leadership position at a Level 1 trauma center where she oversaw the Infection Prevention Program. She has maintained her Board Certification in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) since 2011. She earned her Certification in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) in 2025. In her spare time, she enjoys biking (road and gravel), hiking, home renovation, and spending time with friends and family (especially her grandkids).

Kelley Tobey, MPH, RN, CIC is an experienced infection preventionist with 14 years’ experience focusing on infection prevention techniques to improve patient outcomes and staff safety. She was raised in Pennsylvania, where she obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in nursing from Gwynedd Mercy College. She has utilized her skills and experience as a Registered Nurse working in Med-Surg, Cardiology, and Neonatal Intensive Care, and obtained an MPH with a focus in Community Health Education. Prior to working in Public Health, Kelley was an infection preventionist at an Acute Care Hospital for two years. Her experience is an asset when working with facilities across the healthcare spectrum. She has been board certified in Infection Control and Epidemiology (CIC) since 2014. She is an active member of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) and served on the APIC Smoky Mountain chapter Board of Directors from 2010-2022 prior to resuming a Board position in 2024. 

Jamie Swift has worked in infection control field for 18 years and is currently the Chief Infection Prevention Officer for Ballad Health, overseeing 20 hospitals. Swift earned her bachelor’s degree in nursing as well as her certification in Executive Leadership from Milligan University, and her Masters of Science in Nursing program from American Sentinel University. Prior to transitioning to the acute care hospital setting, Swift worked 11 years with the Tennessee Department of Health in the infection control and communicable disease division. Swift hold her board certification in infection control and long-term care infection control, as well as a fellowship with APIC.  In 2017 she was the recipient of the national APIC Infection Prevention Hero Award. Swift currently serves on the board of directors for the national organization of immunize.org.  Jamie is married with two teen-agers. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, attending University of TN football games, and watching her daughter play volleyball. 

Hello, my name is Melinda McMurray. I have been a registered nurse for 23 years originally obtaining my associate degree in nursing, then returning and graduating with honors in 2019 from King University with my bachelor’s degree in nursing. I was a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Society of Nursing. I am currently the Infection Preventionist at Hawkins County Memorial Hospital and Hancock County Hospital, a part of Ballad Health. I have worked in Infection Prevention for nine years now and became CIC certified in 2021. I have been a member of the Smoky Mountain APIC Chapter for nine years as well, in which I now serve as the Publicity, Website, and Social Media Director of the Smoky Mountain APIC Chapter, and previously served on the Nominating Committee. I live in Bean Station, Tennessee with my husband, three kids, dog, and cat.

Hello, my name is Shana Haynie. I have been a registered nurse for over 23 years. I obtained my BSN from ETSU in 2001 and later decided to return for my MSN. I am currently an Infection Preventionist and Team Member Health Nurse at Sycamore Shoals Hospital, a part of Ballad Health. I have been in this role for nine years and became CIC certified in 2023. I have also been a member of the Smoky Mountain APIC Chapter for nine years. I have previously served as the Smoky Mountain APIC Chapter secretary and now serve on the Nominating Committee. I live in Johnson City, TN with my boyfriend and 2 cats.