This study examines the relationship between smoking and surgical site infections in total knee arthroplasty patients using Andersen's Behavioral Model. Through logistic regression analysis of registry data, findings reveal that rheumatoid arthritis, not smoking status, significantly associates with postoperative infections.
Her Story
About Dr. Alicia
Dr. Alicia Mingo is a highly accomplished healthcare executive, clinical educator, epidemiologist, and public health leader with more than 30 years of progressive experience spanning CSTSA III Orthopedics-Arthroplasty Service Specialist, infection prevention, infectious disease epidemiology, and healthcare systems leadership. She began her career at the VA Medical Center and Hospital for Special Surgery, where she dedicated two and a half decades to supporting complex orthopedic and surgical procedures in one of the nation's leading specialty hospitals. During this time, she also served as a research intern, gaining early exposure to clinical investigation and healthcare innovation, which inspired her to pursue advanced academic training. While working full-time, she earned her PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health, strengthening her expertise in disease prevention, population health, and evidence-based clinical practice. Following her extensive surgical and academic foundation, Dr. Mingo transitioned into national public health and federal service roles, including work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. In these positions, she contributed to critical initiatives in communicable disease control, infection prevention and control (IPC), quarantine operations, emergency preparedness, and epidemiologic surveillance. She has led and supported complex public health investigations, developed and implemented infection control programs, and contributed to large-scale health response efforts. Her work reflects deep expertise in program management, healthcare quality improvement, research design, and interdisciplinary collaboration across clinical and governmental systems. In 2023, Dr. Mingo returned to academic leadership at Mandl School, The College of Allied Health, one of the oldest and most established surgical technology programs in the United States. She currently serves as Interim Department Chairperson and Clinical Coordinator, overseeing academic programming, clinical training, faculty coordination, and student success initiatives for one of the nation's largest surgical technology programs. In this role, she is responsible for maintaining academic excellence while ensuring students are prepared for real-world surgical environments through rigorous clinical education and hands-on training. Alongside her academic leadership, she also serves as Chief Medical Officer of HallAI Predictive Health, contributing her expertise in epidemiology, predictive analytics, and healthcare innovation. Dr. Mingo is widely recognized for her commitment to education, mentorship, and public service. She has dedicated significant time to training future healthcare professionals, participating in academic outreach events, and supporting professional development within surgical technology and public health communities. Her professional philosophy is grounded in discipline, consistency, and the belief that knowledge must be earned through effort and experience. She remains committed to advancing healthcare education, strengthening public health systems, and mentoring the next generation of clinical leaders.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Dr. Alicia
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to educating others and giving back to my community, guided by the belief that education is invaluable and that true knowledge must be earned through effort, discipline, and continuous learning.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have ever received came from a mentor who emphasized, “Knowledge is not given; it is earned.” She consistently reinforced this idea as a guiding principle, reminding me that growth comes through effort, persistence, and a commitment to continually learning and improving.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would advise young women entering this industry to choose a specific area of education that truly interests them, remain consistent in their efforts, and stay focused on their long-term goals. Success comes from dedication, persistence, and steadily building expertise over time, so it is important to stay committed and continue working your way upward even when the path becomes challenging.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest opportunities and challenges in my field today center around the integration of artificial intelligence and evolving professional expectations. AI presents a powerful tool for enhancing knowledge work, improving efficiency, and supporting diagnostic processes; however, it cannot replace the depth of hands-on clinical training required in surgical and other high-stakes medical environments. At the same time, there is a growing concern about a perceived decline in grit or persistence among some younger professionals, which can impact long-term development in the field. This also represents an important opportunity, as strong mentorship and structured guidance can help reinforce resilience, work ethic, and the commitment needed to succeed in demanding clinical settings.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me in both my work and personal life are education, giving back to others, consistency, and the belief that knowledge must be earned. I place a strong emphasis on continuous learning and using education as a tool to uplift others, while also remaining committed to showing up with discipline and reliability in everything I do. These principles guide my decisions, shape my professional approach, and reflect how I engage with both my community and my personal growth.
Her Content Hub
Articles by Dr. Alicia
Smoking and Surgical Site Infection in Orthopedic Patients' Lower Extremity Arthroplasty
Examining the Association Between Smoking Status and Surgical Site Infections in Total Knee Arthroplasty Patients Using Andersen's Behavioral Model
Abstract
Cigarette smoking has been a public health concern for many years, and the potential impact of smoking on surgical site infections (SSIs) has been widely studied. However, a gap in understanding persists regarding whether an association exists between tobacco smoking and the development of SSIs among patients undergoing lower extremity surgery, specifically total knee arthroplasty (TKA).
The purpose of this study was to examine the association between smoking and lower extremity SSIs. Andersen's Behavioral Model (BM) was used to understand the risk factors relevant to the interaction between smoking and SSIs. Application of the BM categories—predisposing, enabling, need, and behavioral factors—facilitated discussion of surgical outcomes.
A quantitative, cross-sectional approach was used to analyze data from a legacy registry at an East Coast hospital. The research question addressed whether smoking status across three groups (i.e., smokers, nonsmokers, and former smokers), along with variables within the BM categories—including predisposing variables such as age, gender, and body mass index (BMI); enabling variables such as healthcare insurance coverage; and need variables including diabetes, hypertension, deficiency anemia, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and other health diagnoses—was associated with postoperative SSI.
Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed, and no statistically significant association was found between smoking status and SSI. However, RA demonstrated a significant association with SSI.
Positive social change may result from disseminating new knowledge aimed at reducing the financial burden associated with the prevalence of SSI through behavioral changes and improvements in overall health and wellness.
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