HLAC Names New Executive Director

PLAINFIELD, IL ­– April 14, 2022 – The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) has named Kristen (Krissy) Thayer Executive Director, effective April 18. Thayer will replace longtime Executive Director Regina Baras, who has served in the role for almost 11 years and who is voluntarily stepping down.

PLAINFIELD, IL – April 14, 2022 – The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) has named Kristen (Krissy) Thayer Executive Director, effective April 18. Thayer will replace longtime Executive Director Regina Baras, who has served in the role for almost 11 years and who is voluntarily stepping down.

Thayer will be supported by Jessica Mckenna, Deputy Director, in addition to other support staff provided by Nonprofit Resources LLC, an association management company. HLAC’s new staff has extensive experience in operations, management, customer service, finance, and all other aspects of the nonprofit function. The staff has been working closely with Baras to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities.

“I look forward to working with HLAC to further its mission and getting to know all of the laundries along the way,” Thayer said.

HLAC is a nonprofit organization that inspects and accredits laundries that process reusable textiles for hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities.

Commenting on the departure of Baras, HLAC Board President Rocco Romeo said, “Regina Baras has been the face of HLAC for many years. Her dedication and commitment will be greatly missed by the board, inspectors, and customers alike. We are very thankful to Regina for her 11 years spent as our Executive Director.” Romeo said the transition would not affect HLAC’s accreditation process.

“While we are sad to see Regina go, we welcome Krissy, Jessica and the Nonprofit Resources family to the HLAC team,” he said.

On her departure, Baras said, “What I’ll miss is working with the many laundry personnel I’ve come to know at our accredited laundries. These are so many wonderful, dedicated individuals and I’ve enjoyed working with them. I’ll also miss our inspectors, who visit laundries seeking HLAC accreditation to ensure our standards are met. Lastly, I’ll miss the members of our board of directors – all volunteers with a common goal of wanting to make a significant difference in the way the best laundries process healthcare textiles in the name of patient safety and infection prevention.

“I wish continued growth and success for HLAC in the years ahead. Clearly, the organization has made a significant difference within the industry,” Baras concluded. Thayer can be reached at 855-277-HLAC (4522); kristen@hlacnet.org

About HLAC

The Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) is a nonprofit organization formed for the purpose of inspecting and accrediting laundries processing healthcare textiles for hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities. For more information, www.hlacnet.org, on Twitter @NewsHlac, and on LinkedIn.

HLAC Advises on Measures to Reduce Transmission of COVID-19

HLAC Advises on Measures to Reduce Environmental Transmission of ...

21/05/2024

HLAC Marks 19 Years of Excellence: Advancing Healthcare Laundry Accreditation

HLAC Marks 19 Years of Excellence: Advancing Healthcare Laundry ...

17/04/2024

Microbiologic Sampling of Healthcare Linens

HLAC offers third-party certification of laundry facilities’ linen processes which includes facilities to implement routine microbiological and yeast/mold testing on its products.

01/07/2023

Navigating the Intersection Where Healthcare Laundry and Infection Prevention Meet

The healthcare textile is the one common factor of every patient experience in their hospital or long-term facility encounter. Every patient’s skin will touch a sheet, towel, bed pad, washcloth, bedspread, or blanket. Not every patient will have physical contact with a physician, nurse or other clinician.

13/04/2023