Tech Choice Awards 2025 by MD Publishing

CHAMPIONS OF THE FIELD

Unveiling the Tech Choice Award Recipients

Wrenchies

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: The Wrenchies

College of Biomedical Equipment Technology

CHAMPIONS OF THE FIELD

Unveiling the Tech Choice Award Recipients 2025 Wrenchies

The psychologist and philosopher, William James, once said; “The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated.”

Appreciation that is expressed for the work a person performs is more highly prized than a salary, according to many work satisfaction studies.

Work is a requirement. Few can take a pass on this necessity. Work can be drudgery, or it can be fulfilling. Some people have a passion for their careers. In some careers, there is a sense of purpose. There is a realization of the importance of the career field or profession.

Healthcare technology management (HTM) is a “onestep removed” profession. It is a profession critical to patient care and healing, even saving lives, as it supports clinical professionals in that effort.

HTM is a helping profession; it improves lives, maintains life and allows important diagnostic medical devices to guide treatment.

TechNation magazine believes that the dedication and striving for excellence demonstrated by a biomed association, a military BMET, a director or manager, an educator, ISO employee, biomed professional, influencer or vendor deserves appreciation.

The same goes for women in leadership and humanitarians, as well as a professional in the field worthy of a lifetime achievement (now known as ICON) award.

For this reason, TechNation magazine continues to promote and applaud the men and women of HTM with the second annual Tech Choice Awards. The Tech Choice Awards (also known as the Wrenchies) shine a spotlight on the heroes of HTM.

Much like an Academy Award or an Emmy, the act of being nominated holds nearly the same level of attainment as the overall winner. This is true because the nominees represent the top of their profession and having mastered their craft.

Peers most understand the rigors and requirements of a profession. Peers also best understand when another member of a profession excels at what they do.

The votes were cast and tallied for the Tech Choice Awards

and the winners are those recognized by peers who were motivated by their knowledge of the nominees’ dedication. There can be no higher honor than the recognition of one’s colleagues and peers. The winners are based entirely on the number of votes received over the past several months.

We asked finalists in the Lifetime Achievement (ICON), Professional of the Year and Industry Influencer categories to reflect upon their nomination, what it means to them and how the recognition will impact their careers.

LIVING A LIFETIME OF ACHIEVEMENT

In karate, those who earn the highest respect and recognition, along with having attained at least the rank of 6th-degree black belt, may be bestowed with the honorific title Renshi, Kyoshi or Hanshi. These titles denote accomplishment and signify an enormous amount of time given back to the karate community. They garner the highest respect within the discipline.

In the same vein, the awarding of the Lifetime (ICON) Award reflects upon the value the nominee has given back to the HTM profession. It also denotes respect.

Despite receiving votes for this high honor, the finalists are humble and respectful of those who would consider them for this award.

“I was surprised and humbled as there are so many bright lights in this field,” says Wayne Moore, B.Sc., MBA, FASE, FAIUM, founder partner of Acertara Acoustic Laboratories.

“It’s quite an honor to be nominated for this award by my peers. I have closely followed and collaborated with several of the nominees, so I am grateful to be named along with them. I have closely followed the others in their careers, and they are well deserving of this award. Binseng, Wayne, Dustin, and Dean are leaders I look up to in our field,” says David Braeutigam, professor at Collin College.

Dean Skillicorn, CBET, CHTM, medical imaging servicer, manager of clinical engineering at St. Luke’s Health System says that being nominated specifically with this group of individuals, is very heart warming and a great honor.

“I have worked diligently in my career with several of the finalists in assisting in the development of HTM as a concept. It has truly been a pleasure to serve the HTM community. The

opportunity to be a finalist is very humbling and satisfying,” Skillicorn says.

Binseng Wang, ScD, CCE, vice president, program management, Sodexo, says that the nomination represents “a new high point in my career.”

“It’s an incredible honor to be nominated by peers in this field I love so much. Honestly, it feels a bit like being handed a participation trophy at a marathon while I’m still tying my shoelaces. I’m deeply grateful, but there are others in this category who have run the whole race – and probably built the timing system and fixed a few stretchers along the way,” says Dustin K. Telford, AAMIF, CHTM, CBET, CRES, CLES, consultant with Healthcare Incident Investigation & Technology Consulting at ECRI.

These finalists also recognized their colleagues in the field as sharing credit if they are the eventual winner.

“As I said above, being nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award is a new high point in my career. Winning it would be an extraordinary recognition of the work that I had the privilege of conducting with my fellow HTM professionals over the past four decades,” Wang says.

“Please note that I don’t consider winning it as a personal accomplishment but a recognition of what dozens of colleagues and I managed to contribute to the advancement of our profession. As they say in Africa, ‘it takes a village [to raise a child],’” Wang says.

Wang says that while professionals in many other industries can claim valuable contributions to human beings, few have such a direct, tangible impact as HTM professionals.

“I feel extremely grateful to be among dedicated professionals who contribute daily to saving lives and healing people when they are most vulnerable,” he adds.

He says that he is impressed with the new leadership he sees in the HTM field locally in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area and nationally, so he believes the biomed field is in great hands.

From capping off a career, winning may also seem undeserved in a field of very qualified finalists.

“Winning would feel like being knighted with a soldering iron – deeply touching, slightly terrifying, and likely to leave a lasting mark. But truly, I’d prefer people vote for one of the other nominees. Some of them have already earned the right to sit down and enjoy their well-deserved accolades without someone like me still pacing around the starting line,” Telford says.

NOTE: The name of the Lifetime Achievement Award has been updated and is now the Icon Award.

THE CORE OF HTM

Among the Professional of the Year finalists, there is a dedication to the field, a reverence for working in HTM and appreciation of co-workers.

These are biomeds, managers and directors chosen from a very large population of biomeds within the field as those who are exemplary in the field.

“Winning would feel like being knighted with a soldering iron – deeply touching, slightly terrifying, and likely to leave a lasting mark.”

- Dustin Telford

Moore says of winning; “I would be grateful, but as I said above, I would also be surprised given the storied careers of the other nominees.”

“Winning this prestigious award would be very rewarding. Recognition like this is very hard to obtain. The fact I was even nominated has been very special and I appreciate the recognition. To win this award? It would be very enrichening and rewarding to know my colleagues in this field feel I have been a great contributor over time at a high level of performance to earn such a distinction. Thank you to all the individuals who participated in the nominations. Congratulations to all of the finalists are who truly deserving of winning this award,” Skillicorn says.

Winning the award would also top off a career in HTM in the best possible way.

“I recently retired from teaching full-time so winning the award would be a nice way to put a stamp on my career. I will probably still attend HTM meetings and maybe teach part time at Collin College, but I am enjoying retirement and look forward to playing more golf,” Braeutigam says.

“Being nominated for the HTM/biomed national Professional of the Year Award is such an honor. To me, it really reflects the hard work and dedication of the entire team I get to work with every day. This recognition isn’t just about me – it’s about what we’ve accomplished together. I’m proud of what we do, and it means a lot to see that acknowledged,” says Charles Woolfolk, manager II-HTM, Temple Memorial Hospital and Clinics/McLane Children’s Hospital and Continuous Care Hospital with Baylor Scott & White.

Dave Scott, CBET, senior biomedical equipment technician at the University of Colorado Hospital in Aurora, Colorado, well-known in the HTM community for his pioneering work with CABMET in CBET-prep, said that when he was first notified of being a finalist, he was surprised.

“Then I thought, who nominated me, because no one said anything to me about nominating me. I was very happy and it’s a great honor to be nominated. I felt like I had already won just by being nominated,” Scott says.

Greg Czajka, director, clinical engineering planning & projects at Advocate Health Care says of the professional nomination that it’s humbling.

“Like everyone else, I go into work every day and do my best to make the patients coming to my system for care the best experience they can receive. I try to learn something every day and take accountability for the decisions I make. As a leader, my goal is to empower my team to make the right calls and elevate their careers. I have a passion for our field and am grateful that I get to work in a setting that brings me joy. I hope to continue bringing in new talent and shining a spotlight on HTM so that we can move forward beyond ‘unsung heroes,’” Czajka says.

COVER STORY

A commitment to helping others is a common quality among those nominated for the Professional of the Year Award and all of the Wrenchies.

“Being nominated for an award like the Wrenchie is an honor! It means that my contributions were recognized and valued by others, and that I made a positive impact in some way. It would symbolize that I’ve been able to help, connect, or make a difference, which is a rewarding feeling in itself. Even more than winning, the nomination would reflect appreciation for the work done and the trust people have in the service I provide. Recognition like that motivates me to keep improving and giving my best,” says Earl Morris Jr., BMET at Harrison County Hospital in Corydon, Indiana.

Steve Ellithorpe, CHTM, executive director of Enterprise Clinical Technology Services at Providence says that he “was surprised and humbled by the fact that someone or multiple people took the time to nominate me for this award. To be identified as a finalist is quite an honor.”

“Deep appreciation as the votes were submitted by co-workers, friends and peers within healthcare and the HTM community. Over the course of my career, I’ve served in different professional roles and supported local biomedical associations. This provided opportunity to collaborate, lead and mentor within the HTM community locally, regionally and nationally. I’m deeply appreciative that these efforts may be recognized through this award,” Ellithorpe says.

USING THEIR INFLUENCE

for TechNation’s Industry Influencer of the Year Award is incredibly motivating for him.

“I see it as recognition for sharing my passion for the HTM field. It validates the countless hours of effort behind the scenes: from crafting engaging content to recording, editing and building meaningful connections with everyone I can reach. Regardless of the outcome, I’m grateful for the opportunity to be recognized among such talented individuals,” Villafañe says.

Jennifer Chester, BMET III, says that being nominated for this award was incredibly humbling and validating.

“It feels amazing to be recognized for my efforts in a field I am so passionate about, especially as I strive to bring more awareness to the biomedical equipment technology (BMET) profession. It’s a reminder that the stories I share and the initiatives I take on – whether through ‘Bella the BMET’ or my work in HTM – are making an impact. It means the world to know that others see the value in what I’m trying to accomplish,” she says.

“I see it as recognition for sharing my passion for the HTM field. It validates the countless hours of effort behind the scenes: from crafting engaging content to recording, editing and building meaningful connections with everyone I can reach. Regardless of the outcome, I’m grateful for the opportunity to be recognized among such talented individuals.”

The Internet changed communication for all time. It made the world smaller. It further connected the HTM community, allowing for online learning and collaboration. Alongside the Internet, the influence of women in the HTM field has grown in recent years. The influencer finalists personify innovation, resourcefulness and the drive to share knowledge and further the careers of colleagues.

- Carlos R. Villafañe

“I was truly surprised, honored and humbled by the nomination. You can only hope that what you do, the way you present yourself and the connections you make are impactful. It fills my heart with pride and joy knowing that my peers in HTM see me as a leader and someone they can turn to for information and advice. If you can measure yourself to only impact one person, I call that success. To know that I have impacted many is beyond measure,” says Chyrill Sandrini, director of client solutions, surgical services & marketing director at MultiMedical Systems LLC.

Carlos R. Villafañe, CBET, CET, team lead SJW/biomedical engineer III at Baycare Health System says that being nominated

The spirit of helping others while praising other finalists are the sentiments of another finalist.

“To me, it was truly an honor, as I don’t consider myself an influencer. I just believe in supporting and assisting others in accomplishing their goals. And I was not at all surprised by the other nominees, as those are who I have seen to be amazing influencers. They are out there paving the way for people to be empowered and to grow in HTM,” says Jewel Newell, MBA, president and CEO of NRC Recruiting and Consulting.

Kim Rowland, director of strategic partnerships and military programs at RSTI, says that being nominated for the second year in a row is an incredible honor.

“After 2O+ years in the industry, it feels rewarding to be recognized at this level. To be in the top five again, alongside such talented leaders, really highlights the strength and collaboration within our community. As someone focused on building partnerships and supporting growth – both professionally with customers/vendors/coopetition and with my team; and also, personally within my role with ‘Women in Leadership’ – this nomination feels like a reflection of the connections and progress we’ve all worked toward together,” Rowland says.

To be recognized by your peers is a great honor. The Lifetime, Professional and Influencer finalists, along with all the finalists, are aware of the significance of this fact. The winners of the Tech Choice Awards (also known as the Wrenchies), can be found in this issue of TechNation and an award ceremony is planned for the MD Expo set for Southern California next month.

ICON AWARD

Binseng Wang

MILITARY BMET

Eric Dalsin

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL

Samantha Moriarty

HUMANITARIAN

Ratish Kumar Mohan

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

Carol Davis-Smith

DEPARTMENT

University Hospitals Health

congrats!

2025 WRENCHIE WINNERS

INDUSTRY INFLUENCER

Kim Rowland

PROFESSIONAL

David Scott

The results are in! After months of anticipation and over 6,500 votes, the winners of the 2025 Tech Choice Awards have been determined by your votes. We reveal the winners here with an award ceremony to follow at the MD Expo in Southern California. A big thank you to our sponsors for making these awards possible!

ISO EMPLOYEE

EDUCATOR

Ashley O’Mara ASSOCIATION

Manuel Vanderpool

Donald Armstrong

DIRECTOR/MANAGER

ICON AWARD

Binseng Wang, ScD, CCE

“Being nominated for the award is a new high point in my career and winning it is an extraordinary recognition of the work that I had the privilege of conducting with my fellow HTM professionals. My prior awards were decided by small committees, albeit composed of highly respected pioneers, whereas this one reflects the majority opinion of CE/HTM community. So it is particularly meaningful for me, especially considering the large amount of much younger and diverse professionals. In essence, I am very honored and humbled by the award and would like to thank the entire CE/HTM community for their support and generosity.”

SPONSORED BY:

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

Carol

Davis-Smith, CCE, President, Carol Davis-Smith & Associates, LLC

“Being nominated, and then selected, by my peers is a huge honor. It means I’m making a difference and that’s the definition of success for me!”

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TECH CHOICE AWARDS

DEPARTMENT OF THE YEAR AWARD

University Hospitals Health System Healthcare Technology Management Division

• John White, VP HTM

• Josh Zinkhon, System Sr. Director – Academic Market

• David Mann, Sr. Director – West Market & Joint Venture Hospitals

• Tammie Clossin, Sr. Director – East Market; Beachwood Medical Center, Lake West Medical Center, Tripoint Medical Center

• Barry Bertagnolli, Director – Cleveland Medical Center, Rainbows Babies & Children’s Hospitals

• Robert Larkin, Director – Ahuja Medical Center, Ambulatory Market

• Edgar Ortega, Director – Parma Medical Center, St. John’s Medical Center

• Larry Liszeski, Director – Elyria Medical, Samaritan Medical Center

• Paul Johnson, Director – Conneaut Medical Center, Geagua Medical Center, Geneva Medical Center, Portage Medical Center

• Josh Nice, Director Imaging Services

• Dale Boyd, Sr. Manager – Portable Equipment Management Solutions

• Marquis Baker, HTM Supervisor – Cleveland Medical Center, Siedman Cancer Centers

• Brinda Pogul, HTM Supervisor – Cleveland Medical Center, Rainbows Babies & Children’s Hospitals

• Winston Henry, Sys. Sr. Manager – Medical Equipment Management Office

• Kevin Rivera, Manager – HTM Cybersecurity

• Alex Collins, Manager – HTM Procurement

• Holli Richards – HTM Finance Manager

“Our program is a partnership between Sodexo Healthcare and University Hospitals. Sodexo has been a healthcare delivery partner with University Hospitals for over 24 years and our Sodexo HTM program has been serving since 2018. Our Division’s DNA is comprised of Sodexo leaders and field support professionals along with, 80 UH biomedical and imaging professionals.” - John White, MSHA, senior director of Business Development, Healthcare Technology Management at Sodexo Healthcare.

90HTM PROFESSIONALS

• Ahuja Medical Center Team – 4 HTM

• Beachwood Medical Center – 1 HTM

• Cleveland Medical Center/ Rainbows Babies/Siedman Cancer Hospitals Team(s) – 22 HTM & 13 PEMS Professionals

• Conneaut/Geneva Medical Centers – 1 HTM

• Geauga Medical Center – 2 HTM

• Elyria Medical Center – 5 HTM

• Lake West Medical Center – 4 HTM

• Parma Medical Center – 4 HTM

• Portage Medical Center – 4 HTM & 1 PEMS

• Samaritan Medical Center – 2 HTM

• St. John’s Medical Center – 4 HTM

• Ambulatory Team – 4 HTM

• Cybersecurity Team – 2 HTM

• Dialysis Team – 4 HTM

• Imaging Team – 11 HTM

• MEMO Support Team – 2 Clinical Engineers & 2 PEMS

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MILITARY BMET OF THE YEAR

Eric Dalsin, Biomedical Networking Specialist, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System

“I was deeply humbled to have been nominated for the Military BMET of the year award. I am blessed to work alongside such talented and supportive individuals, my success is definitely a collaborative effort. I am honored to receive this prestigious award, and I extend a heartfelt thanks for all the support and recognition! “

SPONSORED BY:

INDUSTRY INFLUENCER

Kim Rowland, Vice President of Women In Leadership Society (W.I.L.); Director of Strategic Partnerships and Military Programs for RSTI Radiological Service Training Institute, (2025 TechNation Tech Choice Award winner for: “Outstanding Vendor of the Year” winner)

“Being nominated was an honor, and then winning this award is a huge career highlight! It’s a great reminder that the work we do matters, and I’m excited for the new opportunities, collaborations, and momentum it brings—hopefully inspiring others along the way.”

SPONSORED BY:

THE UNSUNG HEROES OF HEALTH CARE:

Biomedical Professionals’ Role in Advancing Patient Safety

BY BOYD CAMPBELL

As someone who attends numerous biomedical conferences, I often hear discussions about how new technologies have improved patient safety. I agree that innovations in medical technology have dramatically enhanced diagnostic capabilities and introduced devices that make health care safer. Over my 37 years in the biomedical field, I’ve witnessed significant shifts – AC defibrillators replaced by lower energy Biphasic units, bouncing ball patient monitors now have arrythmia detection and data storage, and film processors have been replaced by more advanced digital solutions giving the physician instant retrieval and comparison capabilities.

Beyond the marvels of technology, we cannot overlook the crucial role that government regulations have

played in enhancing patient safety. Many biomedical technicians in this field recall the landmark Safe Medical Device Act (SMDA) of 1990, which mandated that medical device users report serious injuries and deaths to the FDA and manufacturers. The Patient Safety and Quality Improvement Act of 2005 took things a step further, encouraging broader reporting of patient safety incidents. Alongside these regulations, organizations like AAMI, ANSI, ECRI, JCAHO, and DNV have set standards that reflect the ever-changing landscape of health care.

Yet, while we often hear about the role of new technologies and regulation in making patient care safer, we rarely give enough credit to the professionals working behind the scenes – biomedical technicians. In my experience, our primary role has always been to ensure the safety of both patients and staff when it comes to medical devices. Though we may not have been present when laws like the SMDA were drafted, it is often biomedical professionals who identify trends, report issues, and enforce compliance, sometimes

having to be the enforcer.

Without us standing our ground would all these improvements be made. I recall a technician that worked for us informed a customer that a new O2/NO2 mixer failed. It was replaced and the second failed in the same manner. Once again it was replaced and the third one failed as well. At this point the physician was sure that the technician was obviously the problem. How could three brand new devices all be defective?

After an uncomfortable discussion with the physician and the manufacturer, reviewing his testing methods many times, the manufacturer determined that their testing methods were flawed, and a recall was issued for all the units already in the field. Why did this safety issue get resolved? It was due to one technician who stood his ground under the scrutiny of both the health care provider and manufacturer.

Let’s think for a moment about what happens when we do not have the proper enforcement of regulations. Under 21 CFR certain manufacturers are required to provide complete service manuals with calibration and adjustment procedures. This is a battle that many of us have faced when requesting these and being told they are proprietary and will not be provided. While this is clearly written in the Code of Federal Regulation, without enforcement what is motivation for compliance?

In addition, as biomedical technicians we have demanded improvements in test devices to keep up with the changes in technology. When Biphasic defibrillators first hit the market all we had were defib analyzers that were designed for monophasic units. These analyzers gave readings that were close, but we required that changes be made in order to make sure what we were measuring was absolutely correct. Another improvement that we demanded are test devices that are more efficient with the use of automation which still is being improved upon today.

While we view ourselves in the present day as making health care safer, let’s not forget the contribution of those that have gone before us and accept the challenge to be the change that takes medical device safety into the future. How do we do this?

The first step is to cultivate a mindset focused on continuous improvement. This mindset is essential for health care as a whole. Many companies, especially those striving for ISO certification, must document and demonstrate continuous improvement. However, simply continuing to do what has always been done is insufficient in an ever-evolving industry like health care.

We, as biomedical professionals, must actively look for areas where processes can be improved. A key part of this is clear communication. As technicians, we cannot be afraid to speak up when we notice risks or identify potential areas for improvement. Speaking up may not only involve identifying problems but also asking questions to gain a deeper understanding of processes and devices. Fear of asking questions should never be a barrier when the purpose is greater understanding because this curiosity is what ultimately leads to improvements.

While we often hear about the role of new technologies and regulation in making patient care safer, we rarely give enough credit to the professionals working behind the scenes –biomedical technicians.

Another vital aspect of improvement is offering input. While one person may not have all the answers, sharing ideas and suggestions can lead to significant breakthroughs. Often, the best solutions arise from collaborative efforts. When a few people contribute different perspectives or ideas, those contributions can evolve into a practical solution that benefits the entire organization or field as a whole.

Boyd S. Campbell, CBET, CRES, CHTM, is co-owner of Southeastern Biomedical Associates Inc.

SPONSORED BY:

PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

David Scott, CBET, Senior Biomedical Equipment Technician, UCHealth

“I was very surprised to find out I was nominated for this award. Even more surprised to find out I had won. It’s a great honor winning knowing this is voted on by the industry.”

YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR

Samantha Moriarty, Clinical Engineering Manager, Mass General Brigham

“I am truly honored to be named Young Professional of the Year and humbled to represent the field of Healthcare Technology Management. This recognition is more than personal—it’s a celebration of our community’s remarkable work, an opportunity to inspire the next generation of young professionals, and a commitment to advancing innovation, collaboration, and education within HTM.”

SPONSORED BY:

OUTSTANDING VENDOR OF THE YEAR ASSOCIATION OF THE YEAR

Radiological Service Training Institute

“Todd Boyland and I are incredibly honored to receive the TechNation Tech Choice Award for Outstanding Vendor of the Year, especially in RSTI’s 40th anniversary year. This recognition brings full circle the vision my father, Terry Speth, and the original founders —building a company dedicated to excellence, education, and support for the imaging service community. Thank you to our incredible team and loyal partners who make this success possible!”

North Carolina Biomedical Association

“It is a true honor just to be nominated for this award. There have been many great members, leaders, and friends that have contributed to the success of this organization over the past 45 years. Winning this award is a testament to all of the hard work and dedication of these individuals to positively impact the Clinical Engineering community.and the NCBA is truly thankful for this recognition. ”

SPONSORED BY:

- Terry Speth, CEO - President

HUMANITARIAN OF THE YEAR

Ratish Kumar Mohan, Biomedical Engineer, Hospital Sisters Mission Outreach

“It is a big honor to get nominated in the 2025 humanitarian of the year category and I’m so thrilled to win this recognition. Our work in global health involves lot of challenges, but recognitions like this are great source of encouragement to continue the work for the vulnerable people around the world. Thank you to everyone who voted for me.”

SPONSORED BY:

ISO EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

“I am deeply humbled to be recognized as the ISO 2025 Employee of the Year. I am receiving this award in tribute of the incredible individuals I have had the privilege to work for and alongside throughout my career. I truly stand on the shoulders of giants—mentors, colleagues, and leaders—whose guidance and support have been instrumental in shaping my growth and success. I am excited for the future of HTM as well as the opportunities to continue building upon this achievement.”

Manuel Vanderpool, BAS, CHTM - Senior Site Manager

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EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR

Donald Armstrong, CBET, CHTM, CABT, Renovo Solutions, Technical Training Manager

SPONSORED BY:

“Being nominated for the inaugural Educator of the Year award was an incredible honor in itself. To be included among such outstanding educators made the experience even more meaningful. Receiving this award was a complete surprise—it truly took my breath away and left me speechless, which doesn’t happen often! I am profoundly honored and deeply grateful for this recognition. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

DIRECTOR/MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Ashley O’Mara, MS CCE, Chief, Healthcare Technology Management, VA New England Healthcare System

“I am truly honored and humbled to have been one of the five nominees for Director/Manager of the Year and to receive this award. This achievement is a testament to the hard work and dedication of my incredible team, as well as the guidance and support of the amazing mentors and colleagues I’ve had in the HTM community throughout my journey.”

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GE HealthCare’s Sharon Steeley, lead services specialist, and Colleen Haugen-Ortiz, HTM quality specialist, broke down what burnout is and how to recognize the signs of burnout within oneself, colleagues and team. Attendees gained knowledge on how to apply techniques such as: Implementation Intentions, Habit Stacking, Sharing of Responsibilities, Changing of Scenery, and Putting Meaning Behind Work.

THE FUTURE

VR Works for Biomed Education

BY JOIE N. MARHEFKA

One of my biomedical engineering technology (BET) students at Penn State New Kensington responded to an anonymous survey about 360-degree video and virtual reality (VR) with the following quote: “I believe that the use of new technology like VR to supplement lessons is both praiseworthy and a necessity. If a program wants to better prepare their students for the future, then VR-based course work is the next best thing after real practical experience. I also believe that if an educational institution with a program like BET wants to remain competitive, then they must adopt VR into its curriculum.” I had added some 360-degree video content to my courses and was glad to see that this student found it to be worthwhile. And, I couldn’t agree more.

Augmented reality (AR), VR, and 360-degree video are valuable tools to help students learn that can also help HTM professionals to do their jobs.

I have been working to incorporate this type of content into my classes. I recorded 360-degree videos of various work locations, including biomed shops, operating rooms, and imaging rooms, to introduce my students to potential careers and job sites. I also recorded videos of preventative maintenance procedures and repairs on equipment that we don’t have in our lab on campus. The students watch these videos using VR headsets and are able to interact with pop-ups that are embedded to provide more information – such as pictures of the inside of the device or links to service manuals. In this case, 360-degree video is a way that we are introducing students to a wider range of equipment prior to their internships while also dealing with budget realities that prevent us from having every type of device on campus. Several students commented that the 360-degree video felt like an in-person demonstration more than a traditional video. In addition, I worked with a recent graduate to create a series of 360-degree videos to give students practice with troubleshooting and customer service through a “choose your own adventure” situation. After watching each video, where a nurse describes a problem, the students are given a choice of how to respond. They are then directed to a video showing the outcome of their decision and given an additional set of choices. Through a series of videos and questions, the students reach a resolution – for example successfully identifying the

problem and solution, or perhaps, angering the clinical staff. I am planning to introduce the students to AR, and its applications in device maintenance and troubleshooting, during the next school year.

My goal of adding AR, VR and 360-degree video to my classes is twofold. First, I want to introduce the students to equipment and experiences that can’t be replicated in the classroom. Second, I want to introduce the students to technologies that they will likely use in their future careers.

I recently attended the AAMI eXchange. The conference included several educational sessions and exhibits related to AR and VR. Device companies demonstrated ways that they are incorporating AR and VR into their products, including using AR and VR to help with servicing equipment. This really got me thinking about uses of AR, VR and 360-degree video in HTM beyond the traditional classroom setting.

I imagine in the future VR will have many applications in training. VR can be, and in some cases already is being, used to complement and maybe even replace in-person training sessions. VR can be used to help technicians become familiar with equipment before a hands-on training or to review content following an in-person session.

AR can be used to help walk technicians through maintenance or troubleshooting procedures. It can provide detailed information about and models of components of a device.

A 360-degree video could be used in new employee orientation or to introduce a technician to a new work area such as an operating room, an offsite clinic or a different hospital. This would allow them to become acclimated to the workspace at their own pace and to review room set-up as needed. A 360-degree video could also be used as a means to practice handling stressful situations, troubleshooting and customer service. This type of training would benefit HTM professionals as well as students.

I anticipate that AR, VR and 360-degree video will help many organizations to increase efficiency and save money. I am taking strides to familiarize my students with these technologies so that they will be ready to use them on the job. It will certainly be interesting to see how these technologies affect the HTM industry over the next few years.

Joie N. Marhefka, Ph.D., is the biomedical engineering technology program coordinator at Penn State New Kensington.

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‘I AM THE ANSWER’

You’re not just in HTM. You’re transforming HTM.

“You are the answer.”

Now, go out there and show the world.

BY BRYANT HAWKINS

Icame across this 30-second short on Instagram, and it hit me like a lightning bolt. It made me stop and think about everything we’re up against as healthcare technology management professionals, and I realized I had to share this with you. Because you need to hear this. This is going to elevate your mindset, shift your energy, and put you on another level entirely.

Listen closely: those challenges you’re facing, those relentless obstacles. They’re not random. They’re a signal. They exist because they see your potential. Those struggles? They’re testing you. They’ve already done the math on your skills, your courage, your resolve and they know something you need to believe: “You are the Solution.”

Maybe you’ve been questioning your path. Maybe you’ve wondered if what you do really matters. Maybe you’ve felt like the weight of everything is too much. But let me tell you something, loud and clear, you are not here by accident. Every piece of you: every strength, every failure, every lesson, has built you for this. You have what it takes, and it’s time to embrace that. From this day forward, you’re going to walk taller, talk with purpose, and remind yourself daily: “I am the answer.”

Think about what you’ve witnessed. The broken systems, the inefficiencies that slow down progress, the teams that feel undervalued. Those aren’t just problems, they’re opportunities. They’re challenges waiting for you to step in, rise up, and create change. You’re not just here to maintain the status quo, you’re here to innovate, inspire and elevate.

1. THE CRITICAL REPAIR

create tension, but “you are the one” who can change that. By stepping up, facilitating conversations, and educating teams on the importance of HTM professionals, you foster collaboration. You’re not just fixing equipment: you’re fixing relationships, ensuring everyone works together to achieve the same goal. Better patient care. “You are the answer!”

3. MENTORING THE FUTURE

The HTM workforce is aging, and the next generation is still finding its way. That’s where you come in. By mentoring new technicians, advocating for the profession, and sharing your experiences, you’re planting seeds that will grow into the future of this industry. You’re not just solving problems today; you’re building the leaders of tomorrow. That legacy is priceless. “You are the answer!”

This isn’t just about solving technical problems. It’s about creating shifts professionally and personally. If doubt, negativity or frustration have crept into your environment, “you are the one who will break that cycle.” You are not here to simply get by. You are here to lead a movement, to turn obstacles into opportunities, to transform the ordinary into extraordinary.

I’m the one who’s going to change the industry, one step, one process, one breakthrough at a time.

Picture this: a ventilator goes down in the middle of a busy day. The clinical staff is panicking, patients are at risk, and time is of the essence. And then, you step in. You diagnose the issue, fix the problem, and restore functionality. But what you’ve done is so much more than just a repair, you’ve enabled the clinical team to do what they do best. You’ve saved time, lives, and confidence. “You are the answer” in moments like this, where precision and urgency collide.

2. BUILDING BRIDGES ACROSS TEAMS

Communication between clinical staff and HTM professionals often feels like two different languages. Misunderstandings

So, right now, I want you to declare it: “I am the answer.” Say it. Feel it. Own it. And let me tell you, only a few people will truly grasp the power of those words. But the ones who do? They’ll be the ones who lead, the ones who innovate, the ones who elevate this industry into something greater than ever before. “You are one of those people.”

From today on, you’re not just fixing equipment: you’re fixing standards. You’re not just solving problems: you’re shaping futures. Every time you walk into a room, every time you solve a problem no one else could, every time you share your knowledge with someone else, you’re proving it: “I am the answer.”

And if someone asks you why you believe in yourself so strongly, you tell them: “Because I’m the one who’s going to change this industry, one step, one process, one breakthrough at a time.”

You’re not just in HTM. You’re transforming HTM. “You are the answer.” Now, go out there and show the world.

Bryant Hawkins is a TRIMEDX Site Leader and creator of the HTM On The Line podcast.

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Larry Nguyen addresses lots more in our 10-episode Solutionist Series, so be sure to tune in.

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP

Membership is only open to women and is free. Get involved by joining the WIL LinkedIn Group today!

Upcoming EVENTS

WIL LEADERSHIP

About the COMMUNITY

MENTORSHIP PROGRAM:

Connecting female HTM professionals with experienced mentors

AAMI is proud to announce the Women in Leadership (WIL) Society is an official AAMI community! Led by April Lebo (President) and Kim Rowland (Vice President), WIL’s mission is to support, promote, and empower female professionals in the HTM field. As part of the

AAMI network, WIL will expand its reach and resources to foster greater inclusivity and growth for women in HTM. From webinars and trade show events to a mentorship program and more, WIL is committed to advancing leadership opportunities for women in the industry.