MRSA Survivors Network
Dedicated to Awareness, Educating and Support for MRSA, C. difficile and Sepsis
ABOUT US
MITSS HOPE Award – 2015
Jeanine Thomas, founder of MRSA Survivors Network was the recipient of the HOPE Award from the Boston medical community, 2015 for her contribution to patient safety and support of patients.
PATIENT SAFETY FOUNDATION –2017
MRSA Survivors Network received an award from the Patient Safety Foundation for supporting the Patient Safety Movement’s goal of eliminating preventable patients deaths and improving patient safety.
What Is MRSA?
Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus
An antibiotic resistant form of staph also known as the Super Bug. Which is highly prevalent in healthcare facilities and in the community.
MRSA STORIES
Maddy Reimer
Illinois
Maddy Reimer was born premature and was a twin. Her and her twin stayed in the NICU for 3 weeks and went home. She developed a runny nose, cough and cold her mother Beth took her to her pediatrician and he said it was just a cold. A few days later her mother found Maddy unresponsive in her crib and called 911. She was cold and limp, barely alive and was airlifted to a large hospital and diagnosed with MRSA sepsis and placed on life support. She succumbed to her fight 11 days later – she was only 7 weeks old. Her twin, Luke was tested for MRSA and found to be positive, but never developed an infection.
Joseph Paz
New mexico
Joseph was in high school and an athlete when he contracted community-acquired MRSA (CA MRSA). He had a broken toenail that became infected and the infection ended up spreading to his knee and then throughout his body and attacking his heart. Joseph spent 3 months in the hospital and underwent two open-heart surgeries to save his life. Antibiotics kicked in and he was able to slowly recover after many months. Joseph became a patient advocate and joined MRSA Survivors Network as an intern for a summer. He organized a 5K run in his community to raise awareness.
Ron Sacchi
California
Ten years ago this December, I was admitted to the ICU in a state of sepsis. I had contracted MRSA during an elective lipoplasty. Fortunately, I survived. But not without having to suffer through a month of intravenous injections twice a day. Doctors stated that I was 24 hours from death, had I not been admitted. I consider myself lucky –but I have since contracted MRSA at least once and am always on guard in hospitals and gyms.
I contracted MRSA due to caring for my Husband’s MRSA. Yes, I It was winter break of my sophomore year. i woke up to a zit on my lower back. My dad tried to pop it but it wouldn’t budge, which i would find out later that was a big mistake. it kept growing and growing and Christmas Day i could not walk so i decided to go to the ER. I had told my mom it was a spider bite so when we told the doctor he completely agreed with me. He cut the wound open and sent me on my way. After a day i still could barely walk and the next morning i was having trouble breathing. So i went again to the ER and i had developed an abscess. Which the doctor had also tested me for MRSA. The test came back positive. I was put on multiple antibiotics and painkillers because every day my parents had to drain pus and blood out of my back. It lasted for a total of 3 weeks and it was healing. I went to my normal doctor and she said it now had to heal from inside out so she packed it 6 inches deep into my back. After that healed i forsure thought it was over. Boy was i wrong. about 2 months later i have another cyst on my back and the MRSA has returned. I’m still fighting this battle today and i will keep fighting until its completely gone forever. been in the healthcare field. Yes, I wore personal protective gear. Yes, I washed my hands and used sanitizer afterward. I’m not sure HOW I became infected. My Husband and I battled this for over a year! FINALLY, I we can say we have been MRSA free for 1 year!
Hi, I have a mother right now in very bad condition. It seemed like it happened overnight but she had pain in her back for maybe a week and after 4 visits to the er, the last visit when never came back from it now she is in the icu and in an induced coma they say she has mrsa in her blood and she is sepsis. They say it has caused her to have a mild stroke also they say she has a small amount of vegetation in her heart. I just hope her my mother Michele dukes in whoever may be reading this. It hurts my heart to see her in this state and I can’t do anything so hopefully some prayers can. THANKS.
I’ve had MRSA for a little over a year. I am 16 and got it for a military camp I went to a year earlier. I’ve had it hard with MRSA I’ve done all I can to get out of this pattern, but its not easy to win this battle. I get it the worst on my thighs to the point it’s hard to walk and move. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody. Last year my sophomore year of high school I missed a round 88 days of school thanks to MRSA. I thought for awhile MRSA would hold me back from my future in the Army which I still fear that a lot, but I choose to try and stay positive although its very hard and most days I feel alone. There has to be some hope. I haven’t had MRSA for about 2 months till this time around. I’ve taken garlic baths, garlic pills and lysine pills; I also have to clean my sheets twice a week and make sure all my clothes are clean. I true to remain hopeful. One day there will be a cure.
I’ve had MRSA for a little over a year. I am 16 and got it for a military camp I went to a year earlier. I’ve had it hard with MRSA I’ve done all I can to get out of this pattern, but its not easy to win this battle. I get it the worst on my thighs to the point it’s hard to walk and move. I wouldn’t wish this on anybody. Last year my sophomore year of high school I missed a round 88 days of school thanks to MRSA. I thought for awhile MRSA would hold me back from my future in the Army which I still fear that a lot, but I choose to try and stay positive although its very hard and most days I feel alone. There has to be some hope. I haven’t had MRSA for about 2 months till this time around. I’ve taken garlic baths, garlic pills and lysine pills; I also have to clean my sheets twice a week and make sure all my clothes are clean. I true to remain hopeful. One day there will be a cure.
Over the summer of 2012, I had discovered a cut in the center of my foot and ignored it before going to a water park. When jumping into the water, my nose had become clogged with water which is very assumable to have plenty of bacteria in it. I didn’t feel any different until two days after and my foot started turning black, and my friend’s dad assumed it was a recluse spider bite and he instructed us to go to the urgent care clinic. I had to have multiple needles shoved into my foot in order just to numb it, then followed by a doctor removing the infection and taking a biopsy. Soon, we found out I had developed MRSA, and I was told to go visit my regular doctor twice a week to get my dressing changed. A week later at my appointment, my doctor then sent me straight to a hospital, where I was treated for a week with antibiotics through an IV, and taken bone marrow out to prevent the infection spreading Osteomyelitis. I was informed that if I went to a visit a doctor 12 hours later than I did, like we were planning, I would have had no salvageable parts of my foot.
56 yr old male while in the hospital having my third hernia repair having been there 3 days the nursing staff entered my room fully covered to then inform me that I had MRSA to be given my first round of antibiotics to be released 7 days later to heal from the hernia to return to work 3 weeks later to then wake up one Sunday morning with a pimple on my lower stomach thinking it was nothing to waken the next morning with a knot the size of a golf ball in the worse pain that I had ever had. Went to the clinic thinking that I bad a boil to be told that it was not and that there was nothing that they could do to be told I needed to go to the ER once there was told that I would have to go to surgery to have the abscess removed and since then I have had to have 4 surgeries lost two jobs and been denied for ssi this has ruined my life and no one seems to care Lost in Texas.
In 2010 worked in ER of a small hospital. Even though I wasn’t a caregiver, I came into contact with a pre-diagnosed patients. Contracted pneumonia was hospitalized and 2 days later told I had MRSA. WHAT A BLOW! Knew what MRSA was, but had no idea the suffering, aching I would have to endure. Dr said I must be transferred to Fort Worth for surgery, that ended with tubes in my side. No appetite at all lost 40 lbs in 2 weeks. The infection Dr was wonderful. I became resistant to everything but, a combination of levaquin & zoyox finally worked. Lost 1/3 of my right lung. The worst of it all was a month in quarantine and away from family and then 3 weeks in rehab. My strength and stamina are not the same. But I’m Alive!
I just wanted to thank you for staying on top of such an important cause and fighting the good fight to all those who have been affected (and infected) with MRSA. I’m at work so gotta run but I am always so appreciative of your e-mail updates and the hard work you clearly do to raise awareness and hopefully the means to an end of MRSA. I hope someday nobody will have to deal with this awful and nasty infection. You are amazing!
I contracted MRSA due to caring for my Husband’s MRSA. Yes, I have been in the healthcare field. Yes, I wore personal protective gear. Yes, I washed my hands and used sanitizer afterward. I’m not sure HOW I became infected. My Husband and I battled this for over a year! FINALLY, I we can say we have been MRSA free for 1 year!
It started when I was 16 I started getting these bumps on my legs, arms, and stomach. Over a year later I am still getting these MRSA bumps, I have had it about 13 times, it comes back just about every month. They have had to cut into it just about every time and I have been admitted for it 3 times all times they had me either on vanco or clendamiasin. I tried to see an infectious disease doctor but they said MRSA had become so common over the last 10 years that it was a waste of time. The last time I had it they cut into it about 3 separate times and it got about 2 inches wide and 2 inches deep. I got out of the hospital 2 weeks ago and the hole is still not healed and still draining puss. Hopefully they can find out how to stop this soon.
On the day after thanksgiving 2010, my arm was hurting a lot.. went to hospital they only gave me pain meds.. but didn’t work.. so I went to the dr.. that did my arm surgery. .he admitted me to the hospital, and did surgery on my elbow.. he said he cleaned out my elbow.. he wasn’t sure if I had staph or MRSA.. but was isolated and found out I had MRSA.. I was taking antibiotics pills and iv threw a picc line.. in that month I got pregnant.. it was so stressful.. cause I was seeing the pregnancy dr. and my regular dr. And a disease specialist also.. and also I was have seizures from the antibiotics treatments.. for me now I very careful of my soundings.. and go to the dr.. regularly.. that was the most awful disease to have.. u really don’t know until you go the dr… plus I’ve had family member treating me differently.. cause of this disease. and ppl treat you like you’re nothing.. thank you.
My story is not one of survival; but a story of a sudden full blown MRSA life changing tragedy. My mom suddenly became acutely ill as if she had a stroke except without paralysis on Easter morning. She had chills and fever and was not in her right mindset half in and half out of the chair. She didn’t acknowledge the phone ringing or her little dog frantically jumping on her. By June 20th she was dead. The initial attack raged through her body damaging organs etc. She went to hospital which gowning up etc was mandatory and from there a nursing home until rehabilitated and no longer on I.V.’s. At the nursing home nobody used gowns or antiseptic and there was no quarantine!! On June 19th she was taken to the ER due to her acting belligerent and hallucinating severely. The next night she died around 9. They could never bring her back. I never really heard of MRSA before this but now I’ll never forget it. Thank you for raising awareness to this horrible and very sudden deadly sickness!!
I am so glad I found your site. I am a MRSA survivor. They have been misdiagnosing me since I contracted it by getting a bikini wax in 2011. No antibiotics would work. I was at hospital on IV antibiotics for 10 days. 10 weeks of Clindimycin with not much reprieve I resorted to naturopathic. MANUKA HONEY. has extended my life. Unfortunately 2 other people in the same hospital contracted the same strain and 1 died the other lost his leg. Mine has gone untreated it has now killed a my left femur bone and collapsed both hips and now into the brain stem and wreaked my heart. I am still here. No Doctors will listen to me. It has caused many other complications for me over the years. But I a still here. I notice on all my health records it does not say MRSA it was nurse that told me and they found it in my lungs last year and I survived. I eat aaaaalottttt of blended greens spinach is my best friend along blended with apple juice mint green peppers parsley and ginger root. I make them myself in a regular blender and make enough for the week and then I take a break. If a boil presents I use gauze and douse it with Manuka honey. I also eat 2 table spoons a day. I have so much more to say. I have done so much research about Infections and Viruses and how they affect our body. My motto is Never Give up Never Lose Hope and Warrior on.
I was 32 when I was in a accident on the side of the highway that involved a 18 wheeler. I was okay all the way up to when I needed a skin graph done on my knee. I left the clinic and 2 days later I had a pain and a sickness that was unbearable. I was lucky to have survived the accident and now I was fighting for my life from MRSA. I was administered a picc line and survived. Now I am here today scared for my life again because in 2 days I am getting a knee replacement t the original infected site.
When I was 16 I had an ATV accident that left a gaping hole in my ankle. I poured a bottle of rubbing alcohol and some peroxide into the wound and ran water into the wound for several minutes to clean out the dirt. I was left with a hole about the size of a golf ball. It was an uneven wound and was told it couldn’t be sewn shut and would need packed, the doctor came in and said it tested positive for MRSA staph and needed amputation I was skeptical, being 16 I refused to give up my leg. I was given as little as two weeks to live if it moved through my blood to my brain. I was given vancomycin intravenously, two weeks later I was given the same diagnosis. I told the doctor I was still set on keeping the leg and going to fight Bandages changed 3 times a day starting with 3 feet of gauze on day one. About 50 days later it was healed closed but very tender. The scar was purple I massaged it for about a year daily with coco butter and this helped elasticity. I know I am lucky to have my leg and hope more stories like mine can be heard.
World MRSA Day – October 2 and World MRSA Awareness Month – October was initiated, created and announced in January, 2009 by Jeanine Thomas, President and Founder of MRSA Survivors Network and is the official organizer for World MRSA Day and World MRSA Awareness Month. These two annual awareness campaigns reach globally to raise awareness to the ongoing MRSA epidemic and to educate the public and healthcare industry on how they can prevent and reduce MRSA, sepsis and C. difficile infections.
Jeanine is a survivor of MRSA, sepsis and C. Diff and nearly died in 2000 from MRSA. Ms. Thomas founded MRSA Survivors Network in 2003 (a non-profit 501 ( c) 3 organization) and was the first advocacy group in the U.S. to raise the alarm about the MRSA epidemic and other healthcare-acquired infections. Ms. Thomas started her organization to help fellow survivors with MRSA and educate them and their family members about this disease. She initiated and helped to pass ground-breaking legislation to prevent infections by having at-risk patients screened, isolated and decolonized for MRSA upon admission to hospitals and MRSA became a reportable disease..
With the annual awareness campaigns (World MRSA Day and World MRSA Awareness Month) we have drawn critical attention to the ongoing MRSA epidemic and saved lives and needless pain and suffering of patients on a global level. We have activated survivors, communities, governments, healthcare officials and personnel to join together to stop the spread of this preventable disease.
Contact us on how you can get involved or be a Corporate Sponsor for World MRSA Day and World MRSA Awareness Month.
INTERNATIONAL MRSA TESTING WEEK APRIL 1-7
International MRSA Testing Week April 1-7th was launched on 2011 to raise awareness to the importance of all high-risk patients being screened upon admission to a healthcare facility and further screening done within the hospital. A search and destroy approach should be implemented to stop MRSA colonization and infections. Also healthcare facilities should test surfaces to see if MRSA is present and housekeeping measures need to be stepped up and more disinfected of surfaces. Prevention Saves Lives
Contact us on how you can be a corporate sponsor or make a donation for this annual online event.
OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS
We are grateful for our past and current corporate sponsors who have been dedicated to our cause and mission to save lives, treat MRSA, sepsis and C. difficile along with antimicrobial- resistance. Our Corporate Sponsors have shown great social responsibility over the years and we greatly appreciate the continued support of our mission. Please consider supporting our mission today.
Contact us at (815) 710-5026 or at jthomas@mrsasurvivors.org for sponsorship information and how we can partner together to make a difference.
MEDIA
Jeanine Thomas
Founder, National Int’l Speaker, Consultant
Please contact Jeanine Thomas at:
jthomas@mrsasurvivors.org
Tel: 815 710-5026
Cell: 630 730-0049
P.O. Box 296
Morris, IL 60450
Guest Speaker, Presentations and Consultancy
Founder of MRSA Survivors Network
National Spokesperson for MRSA
WHO appointed Patient Rep. on the
WHO designated ‘Patient Champion’ with the World Alliance for Patient SafetyDIA (Drug Information Association) Patient Advocate Fellow 2012
Brookings Institute Antibacterial Drug Development Council Member
Al Jazeera America –interview with Jeanine Thomas with correspondent Adam ,’ Could a $14 Test Stop US Hospitals from a Deadly Bacteria?’
CNN Live News with Fredericka Whitfield, , CBS The Early Show, BBC UK interview at Westminster Abbey World MRSA Day event, PBS – Second Onion Medical Show – Hospital-acquired Infections. and many other
NBC5 Chicago interview with Rob Stafford and Making A Difference with Anthony Ponce
Participated in German Documentary on MRSA, The Silent Killer/Plague, Hamburg, Germany – Rhizmo Films. Shown in France and Germany.
The Hinsdalean – Interview with Jeanine Thomas of MRSA Survivors Network
‘Ask an Expert’, by Sandy Bosch
Seattle Times Investigative Series on MRSA with Mike Berens
Las Vegas Sun Investigative Series on MRSA in Healthcare Facilities by Marshal Allen
Numerous articles in the Chicago Tribune on the MRSA Epidemic in Illinois with Judy Graham
USA Today -Deadly drug resistant Bug Spreading Beyond the Hospitals – Peter Eisler.
Interviews on MRSA with CBS, CBC, BBC, NPR, WGN(Chicago) and numerous others.
Yahoo Sports – Jeanine Thomas interviewed by Eric Adelson for article – ‘Giants MRSA Case Triggers Much Needed Alarm Bells in NFL.’
Huffington Post on MRSA Epidemic.
Ms. Thomas is available for guest speaking appearances and presentations and has experience on an international and domestic level. She has presented to corporate sales and R & D meetings, CDC/FDA Staph and Antimicrobial Drug Development Workshops, state hospital association leadership conferences, hospital group infection control leadership conferences, nurse leadership meetings, state, federal and international health officials, patient safety organizations, community outreach programs, and community town hall meetings, etc.
Her unique perspective as a MRSA, sepsis and C. difficile survivor, patient and a consumer advocate lends to a better understanding of healthcare-acquired infections and how they impact a patient and their families. Please contact for scheduling availability.
MS. Thomas also works as a consultant with the healthcare industry and community to create MRSA educational programs that are geared from a patient perspective and to assisting caregivers.
To arrange for Speaking, Presentations or Consulting,
contact Jeanine Thomas at:
jthomas@mrsasurvivors.org
Tel: 815 710-5026
Cell: 630 730-0049
P.O. Box 296
Morris, IL 60450
Link to MRSA Survivors Network’s Press Releases
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Your generous donation can make the difference and help to save lives and reduce MRSA infections.
Get Involved
Your kind donation in the name of your loved one can make all of the difference. MSN works hard to raise awareness and educate the public and healthcare industry on prevention. We give support to patients, caregivers and family members who are dealing with MRSA infections and we also lend support to MRSA researchers who are working on ways to prevent MRSA infections.
Your generous donation can make the difference and help to save lives and reduce MRSA infections. Awareness and education are needed to inform the public and healthcare community on how to prevent and reduce MRSA infections. As a non-profit organization, we depend upon your generosity to help us in our mission. All donations received go directly to help raise awareness, educate the public and medical community.
MSN is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and your donation is tax exempt. For more information, please contact us at: jthomas@mrsasurvivors.org
Please make checks payable to:
MRSA Survivors Network
P.O. Box 296
Morris, IL 60450
Phone (815) 710-5026
E-mail jthomas@mrsasurvivors.org
Organize a World MRSA Day or World MRSA Awareness Month – October online event or at your school, community center, church, healthcare facility, etc. and help raise awareness to the ongoing MRSA epidemic.
School science projects can emphasize bacteria (namely MRSA) and how it lives in our community and also the importance of hand hygiene (handwashing) to control the spread of MRSA.
Simple memorial events or candlelight vigils can be held at churches, community centers or parks during World MRSA Awareness Month.
Organize your online or in person special event fundraiser for MRSA and help to raise awareness. Some suggestions are:
- Fashion Show
- Organize at a school, community center, church or place of worship a bake sale, pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner
- Donate your proceeds from your next garage sale or a family member’s estate sale or organize a neighborhood garage sale with a “MRSA Awareness” theme.
- Organize a fundraising dinner or block party and hold a silent auction for MRSA Awareness
- Have your school hold a ‘Youth Art Competition’ for MRSA Awareness and have local businesses donate for a prize and then donate a portion for MRSA Awareness.
- Organize a local music event or art show.
Fourth grader Chloe Botten of our Lady of Grace School in Edina (Minneapolis), Minnesota chose MRSA as her topic of research for her “Expert Project”. She had to write a research paper and corresponding poster to present to her class. Chloe learned a lot about MRSA in her studies and then so did her class and teacher. Chloe received top marks for her project and we hope this inspires other students and teachers to have MRSA as a subject to present to the class., which could help prevent infections and raise awareness for MRSA. Great going Chloe!!!
Marketing and Advertising Contributions aide in communicating our unique mission to communities and audiences throughout the country.
Contact Jeanine Thomas at (815) 710-5026 or ar jthomas@mrsasurvivors.org for more ideas and assistance.
Volunteering for MRSA Survivors Network in your local community with an online event, initiate World MRSA Day/month awareness bill in your state representative or senator, apply to be a MSN summer intern, share you personal MRSA survivors story with local media, etc. These are great ways to become a MRSA advocate and help to make a difference. It starts with one – it starts with YOU!
Volunteer to hold a memorial program or candlelight vigil for all of those who have died from MRSA in your community and hold it at your local church, community center, park or state capitol steps or do it online. Hold during the month of October World MRSA Awareness Month. Or at any time.
If you or a loved one have suffered from MRSA share your experience at your local hospital or school in a small presentation – raise awareness and educate others. Prepare and deliver meals to a MRSA victim who is housebound or run errands for them. Contact us to share more ideas.
Hosting a fundraiser is a great way to get involved and help to raise awareness for MRSA education and general awareness, whether it is in the community or healthcare setting. The following are some suggestions, but be creative and put your personal touch to a fundraising event or campaign. You’ll make a difference!
Use online fundraising cmapaigns such as CrowdRise.com or indiegogo.com to raise funds for MSN and World MRSA Day.
Many children want to get involved with giving and it is a great teaching tool to show children that giving back can have great rewards. For your child’s next birthday party, suggest that in lieu of gifts that invitees donate to our cause and mission and explain that their donation is helping other children like themselves prevent from acquiring a MRSA infection. They will learn the joys of giving.
Her unique perspective as a MRSA, sepsis and C. difficile survivor, patient and a consumer advocate lends to a better understanding of healthcare-acquired infections and how they impact a patient and their families. Please contact for scheduling availability.
We get to a certain age and what more do we need? We don’t need “more stuff”, but we can contribute to a great cause and help stop MRSA infections. Have your family members (or yourself) suggest to others that in lieu of birthday gifts, donate to MRSA Survivors Network and help raise awareness and save lives. MRSA Survivors Network is leading the way in educating the community about MRSA.
Organizing a walk, run or cycling event in your community can be a great way to raise awareness for MRSA and donate to the cause. Ask local businesses, TV and radio stations and other organizations (such as running or cycling clubs) to partner with you. You need enough lead time to promote such an event and sufficient volunteers.
- Redeem your credit card points for gift cards, which enable us to purchase items that help us keep our facilities sparkling clean.
- Donate your unused airline miles to help us provide transportation for families who are in dire need of a respite.
Your fundraising and support efforts can help to further MRSA survivors Network mission and change the world of the children and families we serve. By creating a fundraising team with friends and co-workers, you can greatly expand your efforts and come away with a fun, rewarding event. Events can range from the very simple to the complex. Some ideas are:
- Organize a run/walk, golf, cocktail party/auction, bake sale, dress down day at work, or other fun event
- Collecting Change – Because 93 percent of every dollar raised goes directly to our programs, every penny counts at Believe In Tomorrow. Collecting change at schools, work or in your community can quickly add up and go a long way toward our pediatric housing needs.
Scientific Advisory Board
Dr. Jarvis is the president of Jason and Jarvis Associates LLC (a consulting company) and was formerly with the CDC for 23 years. Dr. Jarvis has over 400 published studies and is world-renowned MRSA and HAI expert. While at the CDC, Dr. Jarvis was Director, Office of Extramural Research, office of the Director; Nat’l Center for Infectious Disease: Acting Director, Associate Director for Program Development; Chief, Investigator and Prevention Branch” Chief, Epidemiology Branch – Hospital Infection Program (now DHQP). Dr. Jarvis is board-certified in Pediatric Infectious Diseases. Dr. Jarvis is also a past president of the Society of Healthcare Epidemiologists of America (SHEA).
Dr. Powers is a physician/investigator on the faculty as a Professor of Clinical Medicine at George Washington University School of Medicine. He previously was with the FDA as the Lead Medical Officer for Antimicrobial Drug Development and Resistance Initiatives in the Office of Antimicrobial Products, CDER. He is board certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases and has been an investigator and involved in over 50 clinical trials. Dr. Powers research is in the development and evaluation of patient-centric outcomes for clinical trials and he actively sees patients and attends on the infectious diseases service.
Dr. Mullett is a board-certified physician in emergency medicine in Michigan and practiced for over 15 years. She is now a holistic/integrative practitioner specializing in vibrational medicine. She has studied extensively about natural products and how they can help fight and prevent diseases.
Dr. Rohde is Professor in the College of Health Professions, Chair for the Clinical Laboratory Science program and an Associate Dean of Research at Texas State University. Dr. Rohde previously spent a decade as a public health microbiologists and molecular epidemiologists with the Texas Dept. of State Health Services Bureau of Laboratories and Zoonosis Control Division. Dr. Rohde is an expert on MRSA and has received numerous awards, has over 50 published research articles and abstracts and in was invited as a 2016 TEDx presenter.
Dr. Farr was an integral part of MRSA Survivors Network’s Advisory Board since 2006 and was a world-renowned pioneer expert on MRSA prevention and an Emeritus Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Virginia (UVA). Dr. Farr directed UVA’s Epidemiology Program for 18 years and Chaired the Master of Science Program. He published 167 (co-authored) journal articles, 137 scientific abstracts and 2 books (co-editor) on catheter-related infections.
As a leading expert on MRSA, his work continues today in clinical practice and he was a true leader on quality improvement. UVA was the first hospital in the U.S. to implement screening patients for MRSA and controlled MRSA in their facility. He was a mentor to MRSA Survivors Network’s founder, Jeanine Thomas and he was vital in the push for mandated MRSA screening and reporting legislation – he was a true patient safety advocate. Dr. Farr is a past president of the Society of Healthcare Epidemiologists of America (SHEA). Dr. Farr passed away on Feb. 15, 2017 from complication from MS and will be greatly missed. He was a member of our advisory board since 2006.