Kara McLaughlin Named 2022 Krah Corp. Scholarship Winner

EMS World and The Krah Corporation (dba Krah Health Solutions) announced Sept. 7, 2022, that Kara McLaughlin, EMS Infection Control Office (ICO) manager for the Houston Fire Dept., has been named the winner of the 2022 Krah Corporation Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Scholarship Award.

The mission of the Krah Corporation IPC Scholarship Award is to honor an EMS professional or volunteer who has raised the bar of infection prevention to include the highest standards of practice and has been instrumental in reducing the risk of patients and fellow workers throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Houston Fire Department is the nation's third-largest fire department, with over 4,000 employees. HFD responds to an average of 1,000 incidents daily with over 85% being of an EMS nature. The HFD Infection Control Office (ICO) is located within the EMS chain of command. 

“Kara McLaughlin has been primary manager of the ICO for over a decade,” explained her nominator Matthew White, assistant chief for HFD EMS. “Prior to and during the surge in COVID related-cases McLaughlin not only executed and managed all incidents of documenting medical exposures to HFD first responders, but also manages the efforts of exposure/disease prevention in the form of educational classes for supervisors, practitioners and cadets.”

Under McLaughlin's supervision, all PPE is scrutinized and approved by HFD members, said White, adding that McLaughlin is instrumental in keeping HFD up to date with CDC, WHO and FDA updates and adjusting HFD EMS policies and procedures to match them.

During the initial availability of the COVID vaccine for first responders, McLaughlin applied for, accepted, and managed all COVID vaccination efforts for HFD’s 4,000 responders as well as several other Houston agencies.

“We are honored to present this award to Kara McLaughlin this year,” said Beth Krah, owner and CEO of The Krah Corporation LLC, dba Krah Health Solutions. “For about a decade, Kara has worked strategically within one of the nation's largest fire agencies. She is to be commended for not only handling the pandemic and its insurmountable challenges with excellence, but continuing to train and educate supervisors, practitioners and cadets in best practices long before COVID showed up. Thank you, Kara, for your passion with promoting infection prevention on a continuous basis, and already having plans in place for when issues arise.”

“Her knowledge, efforts and professionalism as an infection control officer are exemplary and the Houston Fire Department is fortunate to employ her services,” White said.

About the IPC Scholarship Award

Nominees for the Krah Corporation Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) Scholarship Award must have at least 5 years of active EMS service; have significantly aided in the conception and development of infection prevention and control methods not only during but prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, with plans to continue contributing and incorporating innovative strategies and tools to enhance the level of infection prevention within the station and in the field; have strengthened EMS awareness and support of infection prevention strategies; and have demonstrated leadership and a passion to train others on infection prevention practices within EMS.

McLaughlin will receive a commemorative award and a full core program conference registration for EMS World Expo, scheduled for Oct. 10–14 in Orlando.