For almost 15 years, Broadway House has relied on Infection Control Specialist Marie Kassai, RN, BS, MPH, CIC, FAPIC. As she retires, we’re grateful that Ms. Kassai has passed on her lifesaving legacy to a new generation of Infection Control Specialists.

Director of Quality & Regulatory Affairs Lois Beatty, BSN, RN, remembers the first day Ms. Kassai arrived for work at Broadway House. Before meeting with her new colleagues, the new Infection Control Specialist immediately set off on her rounds. Ms. Beatty says, “I knew right then that Marie was a keeper.”

A longtime expert in her field, Ms. Kassai had previously worked in a variety of clinical settings, including hospitals, physicians’ offices, and surgical centers. Rodolfo A. Munera, MD, an infectious diseases and internal medicine physician, first crossed paths with her at another facility. Already on the medical staff at Broadway House, he urged Ms. Kassai to consider bringing her considerable experience to help people with HIV/AIDs in Newark.

At a retirement party honoring Ms. Kassai, Dr. Munera noted that she has always shared her knowledge with others freely, educating colleagues at Broadway House and across the state to ensure the safety of both patients and medical professionals. “Even before the COVID-19 pandemic began, we were preparing here at Broadway House because of Marie,” Dr. Munera recalls. “Later, she was instrumental in guiding us through the pandemic. We were so grateful and have such respect for Marie.”

President and CEO James Gonzalez, MPH, FACHE, LNHA had the highest praise for Ms. Kassai: “Broadway House went through some tough times organizationally, and we pulled through because we have the right people in the right places. We got through the COVID-19 pandemic with flying colors, thanks to Marie and the support of our staff. Clearly, the staff has listened to her, and today, Broadway House is a great organization because of Marie.”