ACDIS update: Cozy up to the fireside and get to know the ACDIS team

The ACDIS team recently sat down by the “fire” for some casual conversations help members get to know them a little better. ACDIS Director Brian Murphy, Associate Director Rebecca Hendren, Associate Editorial Director Melissa Varnavas, CCDS Coordinator Penny Richards, and Editor Linnea Archibald all took time to share their stories.

Of course conversations included some serious topics, but also touched on some lighter notes—including sharing childhood career plans.

“I wasn’t quite clear on what type of writer I wanted to be,” said Archibald. “I also loved animals and I loved artwork, so when I was about eight, my plan was to be a veterinarian-writer-artist.” Currently, Archibald writes for ACDIS’ publications, so one aspiration came true!

Though neither Varnavas or Richards wanted to deal with animal health or paints, they both reiterated Archibald’s desire to write—something both do to some extent in their current roles and continue to do semi-professionally in their spare time.

The fireside chats also allowed the team to impart words of wisdom they’ve carried with them over the years. “[My father] told me that for the rest of my life, I would encounter people who I didn’t like or who I didn’t get along with and that I needed to square my shoulders, put a smile on my face, and do my very best to get along with everyone,” Richards said.

“[My mother told me to] do the exciting thing. Do the thing that challenges you. Do the not-safe thing. I’ve really taken that to heart,” said Hendren.

Besides the childhood career aspirations and wise maxims, the ACDIS team shared their hopes and predictions for the next 10 years of ACDIS and CDI.

“There are more than 40 local chapters around the country right now and we’re having an explosion of events,” Varnavas said. “The fall is one of the biggest times for us and we’ve had local chapters with 200-250 attendees. […] There’s lots and lots going on and I’m really excited about that.”

And of course, Murphy—who has been with ACDIS its entire existence—is also excited about the future of CDI and ACDIS. “I think that the future of CDI really is limitless. There are so many ways it can grow,” he said. “One of the things I love about CDI is that it’s so malleable. One person’s job at one hospital is not always like the other and I think that’s a good thing. […] There really is so much potential for the next 10 years.”

Editor’s note: To watch the fireside chats with the ACDIS team, visit the ACDIS YouTube channel.