REGULARS
NATIONAL PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
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s healthcare facility management professionals, we are well aware that the focus on infection control and subsequent advancing technology in this space is one of the big change-agents in our world of infrastructure-based facility management services. Emerging from the 2020 pandemic, the importance of what we all do in our respective roles is gaining pace, providing new opportunities for our communities to demand that we use our skills and evolving technologies to improve healthcare outcomes through enhanced knowledge of infrastructure elements such as ventilation and building management systems. It is no easy feat to predict precisely how the post COVID world will affect our sector, but lessons from other industries show significant disruption to legacy business models. Particularly, the difficulty in predicting consistency in our supply chains has forced us all to rethink how we manage procurement appropriately to ensure the high levels of service delivery our consumers demand in healthcare. Sectors such as ours that require high levels of social intelligence and engineering skill sets are well positioned to enable adaptation to technological and socioeconomic disruption via offerings like the IHEA LDP program. 2020 was a challenging year for IHEA and the challenges continue, but still a lot got done. State branch professional development events occurred, the IHEA Young Professionals have had several productive meetings, planning for the national conference in Perth is well underway and our first ever national webinar featuring Dr Norman Swan was a great success. To get the New Year off on the right track, in April 2021, IHEA NSW is holding the state conference to help
continue and build the conversation. Check out the IHEA website for more information. At IHEA forums of this nature, you will hear a lot about things in your field that will be new to you. These could be new techniques, new types of equipment, or learn from thought-leaders. Attending these forums is an opportunity to meet with likeminded people and industry peers. IHEA works to ensure that we continue to make space to bring together people from all our different geographical areas who share a common interest field. These events are designed to be a great way to meet new people in your field too. However, something essential for our sector to grow and develop is to present your ideas and work to others. It’s good practice in talking about what you do with various people from similar or related areas. It’s a safe way to get feedback and new ideas to help provide perspective about your work and opportunities you may not have seen yet for taking it to the next level. Contributing to this periodical or presenting at a PD event is a great way to do this IHEA forums are also a good way for people to meet you. Regardless if you are a middle manager or a tradesperson, you may meet someone at a break session, at a presentation or in the hallway. Within a few minutes, you can make a connection with someone that could dramatically impact your professional career. I urge all members to make the effort to attend IHEA events whether online or in person when and where possible. Stay Safe, Jon Gowdy – IHEA National President
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