Dr. Terra Kremer

Director, Microbiological Quality

Johnson & Johnson Microbiological Quality & Sterility Assurance
1000 Route 202 South
Building 930 East
Raritan, NJ 08869

Tel: (801) 631-7953
Email: tkremer@its.jnj.com

Dr. Terra Kremer is the Director of Microbiological Quality at Johnson & Johnson, where she oversees the development and implementation of industrial microbiology policies and strategies. She leads and supports standard processes and innovation opportunities across the company for Microbiological Quality and Device Processing, with a particular focus on cleaning, disinfection, moist heat sterilization, water quality, and microbial control within the manufacturing environment for medical devices and pharmaceutical products.

Terra is responsible for accelerating innovation in these areas and supports a strategic vision that drives these efforts. As an active member of ASTM, AAMI, and ISO organizations, Terra contributes to standard development and co-chairs the AAMI WG-95 Water for Reprocessing Committee. She also serves as a US ISO expert for ISO WG12 and WG13 and co-leads the Microbiological Quality Process Analytical Technology (MQPAT) Kilmer Collaboration Team.

With a PhD in Microbiology and a BS in Analytical Chemistry, Terra has 20 years of experience in laboratory testing of medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and tissue products. Terra has significant experience in both chemistry and microbiology, having authored and co-authored numerous scientific publications. She has worked on Tiger Teams related to Rapid Micro Methods and Device Processing and is based in New Jersey, where she routinely collaborates with scientists worldwide to bring innovative new approaches to the industry.

Marie Brewer, LSSBB, CST, CHL, CRCST, CIS, GTS

Senior Director of User Experience and Clinical Strategy

STERIS

Marie Brewer, LSSBB, CST, CHL, CRCST, CIS, GTS, is a sterile processing and perioperative subject matter expert with more than 25 years of experience spanning clinical practice, education, and user-centered product design. She currently serves as Senior Director of User Experience and Clinical Strategy at STERIS, where she focuses on advancing user experience, clinical engagement, and innovation across sterile processing solutions.

Prior to joining industry, Ms. Brewer led sterile processing operations at UnityPoint Health System where she directed system-wide initiatives in infection prevention, education, technology adoption, supply chain, value analytics and best practice standardization. Her clinical background includes roles as a Surgical Technologist, First Assistant, and Sterile Processing Manager.

Ms. Brewer is the Past President of the Central Service Association of Iowa HSPA Chapter and has held national leadership roles within HSPA, including Chair of the Chapter Committee and member of the HSPA Advisory Council. She is an active ANSI/AAMI contributor, former columnist for HSPA's Process magazine. She is a frequent speaker on sterile processing quality, risk reduction, and leadership—known for translating technical standards and frontline realities into actionable, executive-level strategy.

Tiffany Wiksten, DNP, RN, CIC

Senior Associate Director, Standards Interpretation Group Operations and Quality Assurance

Accreditation and Certification Operations
The Joint Commission

Tiffany Wiksten, DNP, RN, CIC, is currently a Senior Associate Director in the Standards Interpretation Group in the Division of Accreditation and Certification Operations (ACO) at The Joint Commission and serves as an Infection Control Subject Matter Expert. In this role, Dr. Wiksten works closely with accredited and certified organizations to interpret Joint Commission standards, identify vulnerabilities, and improve organizational performance.

She responds to inquiries regarding compliance with Joint Commission standards and reviews post-survey reports, clarifications, measures of success, and evidence of standards compliance submitted during the survey process. She also provides leadership and guidance across the accreditation process through her expertise in infection prevention and control while supporting customer relationship management, field representatives, and healthcare organizations through expert interpretation, guidance, and collaboration.

Prior to joining The Joint Commission, Dr. Wiksten worked as an Infection Preventionist for more than 10 years and served as Manager of Infection Prevention at a major metropolitan medical center. She has led infection prevention programs across academic medical centers, community hospitals, and ambulatory care settings.

Dr. Wiksten earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Lewis University, a Master of Science in Nursing with a focus in Population-based Infection Control and Environmental Safety from Loyola University Chicago, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a focus in Transformational Leadership from Rush University. She is also Lean Six Sigma Green Belt certified and holds Certification in Infection Control (CIC).

Pamela Carter, BSN, RN, CNOR, AGTS, CRCST, CER, ASQ-CQIA

Manager, Senior Clinical Education Specialist, Mid-Atlantic States

STERIS Corporation

Pamela Carter is the Senior Clinical Education Specialist for the Mid-Atlantic States at STERIS Corporation, where she has served since July 2006. She provides customer education and clinical support, helping healthcare facilities improve operational design, workflow, and instrument reprocessing practices across the Operating Room (OR), Gastrointestinal (GI), and Sterile Processing Department (SPD). She also performs medical device audits and mock survey assessments based on regulatory standards, guidelines, and manufacturers' Instructions for Use (IFU) to promote infection prevention and patient safety.

Mrs. Carter is a Certified periOperative Registered Nurse with more than 28 years of experience across government, public, and private healthcare sectors. Her expertise includes Nursing Management, periOperative (OR) Leadership, OR and Sterile Processing Education, Infection Prevention, and Quality Improvement. Throughout her career, she has successfully collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to develop and implement initiatives that deliver positive quality outcomes.

In addition to her clinical leadership, Pamela has written and published healthcare articles for Healthcare Purchasing News (HPN), Process Magazine, and the AORN periOperative Nursing Clinic. She is a previous recipient of the STERIS Clinical Education Specialist of the Year award and is an active member of AAMI, AORN, APIC, ASCA, ASQ, HSPA (formerly IAHCSMM), and SGNA.

Personal Motto:
"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Monique L. Jelks, MSOL, BA, CRCST

Sterilization Clinical Leader

Solventum

Monique L. Jelks, MSOL, BA, CRCST, serves as the Sterilization Clinical Leader for Solventum's Gulf Coast region, where she partners with healthcare organizations to strengthen sterile processing practices and advance patient safety.

A respected educator and thought leader, Monique has published professional articles and delivered lectures and educational programs nationally and internationally to inspire and elevate sterile processing professionals.

She served as President of the Board of Directors for the Healthcare Sterile Processing Association (HSPA) from 2022 to 2025, leading strategic initiatives that supported workforce development and industry advancement.

Mary L. Fornek, RN, BSN, MBA, CIC, FAPIC

Owner & Infection Prevention Consultant

Kenrof IC Consulting

Mary L. Fornek, RN, BSN, MBA, CIC, FAPIC, is an infection prevention consultant, healthcare executive, and nationally recognized expert in sterilization, high-level disinfection, and regulatory compliance. As the owner of Kenrof IC Consulting, she provides consulting services to hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, endoscopy centers, and imaging facilities throughout the Northeast, specializing in sterile processing, flexible endoscope reprocessing, infection prevention, and accreditation readiness.

Previously, Mary served as System Director of Infection Prevention for New York City Health + Hospitals, where she led system-wide infection prevention initiatives across 11 hospitals, five post-acute care facilities, and more than 150 ambulatory sites. Throughout her career, she has partnered with executive leadership to improve patient safety, implement evidence-based practices, and strengthen regulatory compliance across complex healthcare organizations.

Mary is a Fellow of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (FAPIC), is Certified in Infection Control (CIC), and holds an MBA from the University of Illinois and bachelor's degrees in Nursing and Psychology from Elmhurst College. She is a published author, frequent national speaker, and educator whose passion is helping healthcare organizations translate standards into practical, sustainable improvements in sterile processing and infection prevention.

Lisa Pessolano, BSN, RN, CIC

Lisa Pessolano, BSN, RN, CIC began her career in the operating room, spending over 25 years in a variety of roles, including quality and management. Drawing on that extensive experience, she chose to venture into Infection Prevention more than a decade ago, where her passion for improving safety and strengthening clinical practices quickly grew.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Adelphi University, was certified in the operating room for many years, and is also certified in infection prevention.

Today, Lisa consults in ambulatory care and other outpatient settings, providing practical, experience-driven guidance to enhance compliance, reduce risk, and support high-quality patient care.

Cheron Rojo, BS, FCS, CHL, CIS, CER, CFER, CRCST

Senior Manager of Clinical Education

Healthmark, A Getinge Company

Cell: 559-708-9367
Email: crojo@hmark.com

Cheron Rojo has more than 35 years of experience in sterile processing, serving as a Sterile Processing Technician, SPD Educator, Instrument Coordinator, and Surgical Technologist. He currently serves as the Senior Manager of Clinical Education for Healthmark, a Getinge company, where he has worked for the past eight years.

He is the Past President of the Pacific West Sterile Processing Association (PWSPA), representing California, Nevada, Arizona, and Hawaii. Mr. Rojo earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication along with a Marketing Certificate in 2021. He actively contributes to ANSI/AAMI working groups, including ST79, and previously served as Co-Chair for PB70 Protective Barriers. Since 2006, he has taught CRCST and CIS certification courses for sterile processing professionals.

Mr. Rojo is an internationally recognized speaker, presenting at conferences hosted by organizations such as APIC, AORN, CBSPD, HSPA, AMEXPE, and WFHSS. He is also a published author in the AORN Journal, PROCESS, and Surgical Products. In 2018, he was honored as HSPA's "Educator of the Year" by the Golden West Central Service Chapter and received the HSPA Fellowship (FCS) in 2021 for his research on insulation testing. His work has been published in PROCESS magazine in 2019, 2023, 2024, and 2025. He is passionate about sharing knowledge globally and lives by the motto, "Attitude is Everything!"

Dr. Mary Ann Drosnock

Head of Clinical Affairs

Healthmark Industries, A Getinge Company

Dr. Mary Ann Drosnock is the Head of Clinical Affairs at Healthmark Industries, a Getinge company, where she leads clinical education, standards leadership, and infection prevention initiatives focused on improving the safety and effectiveness of medical device reprocessing. She is internationally recognized for her expertise in endoscope reprocessing, microbiology, and infection prevention, and is a sought-after speaker at professional society meetings around the world.

Dr. Drosnock currently serves as Co-chair of AAMI Working Group 40, the committee responsible for ST79, the foundational and most widely adopted standard in sterile processing. She previously served as Co-chair of the working group responsible for ST91, the national standard for flexible and semi-rigid endoscope processing.

Prior to joining Healthmark, Dr. Drosnock managed the Infection Control Program for Olympus, worked as a pharmaceutical microbiologist, and taught microbiology at the college level to healthcare professionals.

She holds advanced degrees in Biology, Quality and Regulatory Affairs, and Health Science. She is certified in Infection Prevention and Endoscope Reprocessing and is a Fellow of both APIC and AAMI. Dr. Drosnock is widely respected for her ability to translate complex science, standards, and regulatory expectations into practical, real-world guidance for frontline healthcare teams.

Sarah Frank

Manager, Device Processing

Johnson & Johnson Microbiological Quality & Sterility Assurance

Sarah is Manager, Device Processing at Johnson & Johnson, in Raritan, NJ. She has spent her career developing testing strategies for device processing validations while navigating tight timelines, shifting regulatory landscapes, and intricate testing requirements with practical, standards-based solutions.

Sarah has been an active member of multiple standards committees and working groups across ASTM and AAMI, specifically tied with medical device cleanliness and device processing. She is the industry co-chair for WG61 – Chemical Sterilants, Hospital Practices.

Sarah completed her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Minnesota in 2012.