Welcome back to Voice for Infection Prevention! I'm your host, Jacob Hutcherson, and today I’m talking with Shaunte Walton, a leader who has helped pave the way for diverse backgrounds in Infection Prevention. With a microbiology and molecular diagnostics background, Shaunte transitioned into Infection Prevention, despite the challenges of breaking into a traditionally nurse-dominated field. She shares how mentorship, networking, and earning her CIC certification helped her advance into system-wide leadership at UCLA Health. We also dive into her passion for mentorship and workforce development, including how she’s helping grow the next generation of Infection Preventionists through training programs and career pathways. If you’re looking for insights on career growth, leadership, and making an impact in Infection Prevention, this is an episode you won’t want to miss! Let’s get started.