In this episode of the Five Second Rule podcast, hosts Kelly Holmes and Lerenza Howard speak with Trent MacAllister, Infection Preventionist at the Washington State Department of Health and APIC Annual Conference Committee member. He shares insights into the abstract review process for the APIC Annual Conference. Trent provides information on how to submit speaker proposals and abstract submissions, discusses common mistakes in submissions, and explains how the committee determines oral presentations versus poster presentations. This episode offers invaluable tips for those looking to participate in the conference.
Hosted by:
Kelly Holmes, MS, CIC and Lerenza Howard, MHA, CIC, LSSGB
While it’s great to have new cutting edge ideas, by no means is it a requirement; we love seeing the hard work IPs are doing day in and day out, and we learn just as much from those sessions, if not more, than from the novel sessions.
–Trent MacAllister
Further Resources:
“How to Write An Abstract”
Reasons for Rejections of Abstracts Submitted to APIC’s Annual Conference: Ensuring Transparency and Encouraging Quality
About our Guest
Trent MacAllister, MPH, MS, CIC
Trent MacAllister, MPH, MS, CIC, is an Infection Preventionist at the Washington State Department of Health within the Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance Section. In this role, Trent conducts Infection Control and Response (ICAR) consultations with healthcare facilities throughout the state. He has also provided outbreak investigation and response support to acute care, long-term care, ambulatory care, residential treatment, and behavioral health facilities. Trent worked as an infection preventionist in an acute care hospital before transitioning to his current role in public health. Trent is currently the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) Annual Conference Committee (ACC) Abstract Sub-Committee Chair and the 2025 APIC ACC Vice-Chair. In his free time, Trent enjoys mountain biking, hiking, hanging out with his dogs at the lake, and traveling the world with his fiancée.