Liaisons, Representatives, and Other Chairs

Chapter Legislative Representative:

Melissa Thone, M Health Fairview, [email protected]

Melissa, DNP, RN, PHN has worked in Infection Prevention since 2022 after working as a bedside and travel RN prior.  Melissa has also served as APIC MN Nominating Committee Chair, the Co Chair of the Minnesota Public Health Association's Planetary Health Task Force and as a member of the Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate "Climate Smart Healthcare" Committee.  Melissa is passionate about climate change and describes herself as a "bit of a politics junkie."  She believes that Infection Preventionists are an untapped resource when it comes to policy development and climate change mitigation.  

MN State HAI Advisory Group:

Jessica Nerby, Allina Health

Jessica graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with degrees in Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Clinical Laboratory Science and earned a Master’s degree in Public Health Epidemiology from the University of Minnesota. She has worked in Infection Prevention since 2007 and is currently the Infection Prevention Strategist for Allina Health. Her current work focuses on directing infection prevention strategy and ensuring regulatory compliance for the Allina Health IP program.