Katherine H. West, BSN, MSEd, DICO-C, has worked in the field of infection control since 1975. She lectures both nationally and internationally and has published books, videos, and articles on issues important to infection control efforts. She has served as a consultant to the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, and she has served as an education specialist for the National Institutes of Health. West has also served as a consultant to the US Public Health Service, Federal Occupational Health. West was voted a "Hero in Infection Control and Prevention" for 2006 from the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) for her work in the field of infection control and EMS. West has also received the Virginia Governor's Award for her contribution to EMS health and Safety and the James O. Page EMS Achievement Award (2020) from the International Association of Fire Chiefs, EMS Section.

She has been a speaker at many meetings and national conferences.