2025 SHEA Spring Scholarship Applications

Welcome to the 2025 SHEA Spring Scholarship Application!

Below you will find a description of each scholarship. Thank you for your interest & we look forward to hearing from you!

SHEA Public Health Scholarships:
The SHEA Foundation established the Public Health Scholarships in 2018 to promote the training and advancement of public health professionals who work in various capacities related to infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship within public health systems. The continuation of these scholarships demonstrates a commitment by SHEA Foundation to strengthen relationships between SHEA members who serve as leaders in healthcare infection prevention/antibiotic stewardship teams and public health professionals. Additionally, the SHEA Foundation is committed to improving awareness and expertise on infection prevention, HAIs, and antibiotic stewardship of professionals who serve at the public health level. Awardees of the Public Health Scholarships will receive complimentary registration for the full conference and tracks to attend SHEA Spring 2025.

Jonathan Freeman Scholarships:
The Jonathan Freeman Scholarship was established by SHEA to promote the training of outstanding infectious disease fellows who demonstrate interest in the field of healthcare epidemiology. The society established the scholarship in the memory of Jonathan Freeman, MD, MPH, a teacher and researcher in the field of healthcare epidemiology dedicated to improving the delivery of healthcare through the prevention of nosocomial infections. Dr. Freeman was a founding faculty member who for a decade taught the epidemiology and statistics track of the course. Awardees of the Jonathan Freeman Scholarship will receive complimentary registration for the full conference and tracks to attend SHEA Spring 2025.

Gina Pugliese Scholarships:
The Gina Pugliese Scholarship was established by SHEA to promote the training of a non-physician infection preventionist (IP) who has shown outstanding interest and leadership in the field or works in a resource limited setting. SHEA established this scholarship in honor of Gina Pugliese, RN, MS, a prominent IP and leader in the field of healthcare epidemiology. Ms. Pugliese was a founding faculty member of the SHEA/CDC Training Course and co-chair for fifteen years. Thanks to the generous funding by Ms. Pugliese’s family and friends, SHEA is able to fund several additional scholarships in her memory. Awardees of the Gina Pugliese Scholarship will receive complimentary registration for the full conference and tracks to attend SHEA Spring 2025.

Bill Rutala Scholarships:
The William Rutala Scholarship was established by SHEA to promote the training of a non-physician interested in the research of healthcare-associated infections. SHEA established this scholarship in honor of William Rutala, MS, MPH, PhD a prominent SHEA leader the field of healthcare epidemiology research. Dr. Rutala was the SHEA Lectureship awardee in 2012 and has worked tirelessly researching areas such as disinfection, sterilization, cross-infection, healthcare-associated infections, outbreaks, antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Awardees of the Bill Rutala Scholarship Awardees will receive complimentary registration for the full conference and tracks to attend at SHEA Spring 2025.

If applying for the Public Health Scholarship you will also need to submit:

  • CV
  • A letter from your supervisor or a colleague in the field, outlining your qualifications and research skills
  • A digital photo for display at the event (Consent for use of the photo is implied in providing your signature)


If applying for the Freeman Scholarship you will also need to submit:

  • CV
  • A letter of no more than one page describing why you would like to have additional training in healthcare epidemiology and your career goals.
  • A letter from your program director confirming your status of a “Fellow in good standing,” at the time the meeting will occur (April 2024).
  • A letter from a mentor outlining your qualifications 9if your program director is also your mentor, only one letter is required).
  • A digital photo for display at the event. (Consent for use of the photo is implied in providing your signature)

If applying for the Pugliese Scholarship you will also need to submit:

  • CV
  • A letter of no more than one page describing why you would like to have additional training in healthcare epidemiology and your career goals.
  • A letter from your supervisor or a colleague in the field, outlining your qualifications an leadership skills.
  • A digital photo for display at the event. (Consent for use of the photo is implied in providing your signature)


If applying for the William Rutala Scholarship you will also need to submit:

  • CV
  • A letter of no more than one page describing why you would like to have additional training in healthcare epidemiology and your career goals.
  • A letter from your supervisor or a colleague in the field, outlining your qualifications and your research skills.
  • A digital photo for display at the event