This is USA Biomedical Engineering Life Part 1
“Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) Week, May 19–25, 2024, promotes awareness of—and appreciation for—the critical work of professionals who manage and maintain the vast assortment of health technology found in healthcare delivery organizations”. This series of articles focuses on USA Biomedical Engineering meeting HTMs and Biomeds from across the USA. More people tomorrow.
Who are the People working in USA Biomedical Engineering
Ten people working in USA Biomedical Engineering
Richard Kress, Biomedical Engineering Technician, Alaska
Richard Kress has been in Alaska since 2008 but has had jobs in biomedical engineering starting 44 years ago. He received his master’s degree in biomedical engineering in 1979. Richard works as a Biomedical Engineering Technician at Maniilaq Association in Kotzebue, Alaska.
Why has a career in HTM been right for you?
A career in HTM has been right for me because machines do not talk back, and I like solving problems.
Ivan Joyner, HTM Consultant and Freelance Anaesthesia Service Specialist, California
Ivan Joyner has been a biomedical and HTM professional for 25 years. He is the creator of Biomed101 which is an app-based training and education solution for the busy HTM professional.
Why has a career in HTM been right for you?
The reason I love being in the HTM field is it gives me the ability to work with my hands and at the same time help heal someone’s heart. Helping a doctor or nurse resolve an equipment issue makes the patient experience better. That’s what it’s all about.
Enid Figueroa, Founder, Evolve Medical Solutions, Florida
Enid Figueroa is the founder of Evolve Medical Solutions who provide exceptional customer service and innovative solutions to the healthcare industry.
Why has a career in HTM been right for you?
A career in Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) suits me perfectly because it enables me to contribute to the community by ensuring that medical facilities have high-quality equipment, guaranteeing patient safety, and providing excellent healthcare.
Josh Moffett, Biomedical Equipment Technician, Kansas
Josh Moffett is a Biomedical Equipment Technician. In April 2021, he helped establish the Biomedical Engineering department at the Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute. He works there now and is based in Overland Park, Kansas.
Why has a career in HTM been right for you?
A career in HTM has absolutely been right for me. Knowing that the work I do helps people get the best care possible is very fulfilling. That is what keeps me going when things get tough. I’ve also always been interested in gizmos and gadgets so the broad spectrum of tools and test equipment we use in HTM definitely feeds my curiosity in that regard. There’s always something new to learn that helps me do my job better.
Bryant Hawkins, Site Manager and Podcaster, Louisiana
Bryant Hawkins is very experienced in healthcare technology and currently works for TRIMEDX as a site manager. He is also the founder of HTM On The Line which brings awareness to the HTM industry.
Why has a career in HTM been right for you?
The Healthcare Technology Management has been right for me, for many different reasons. It’s provided me with the means to not just survive, but to thrive and provide for my family in ways I never thought possible. It’s given me purpose, to know that every day I go to work, I have a chance to make a difference in someone obtaining successful patient care. The opportunities to travel across the United States have been one of the highlights of my journey in HTM, broadening my horizons both personally and professionally.
And now, as I look back on all that I’ve accomplished, all that I’ve overcome, I can’t help but feel grateful. Grateful for the opportunities, the friendships, the growth. Grateful for every obstacle that made me stronger, every failure that taught me resilience. Probably my most precious reason for being a part of this industry, is that it has paved the way for my son, who bears my name, to find his own path within it. Knowing that he too can find fulfilment and purpose in Healthcare Technology Management fills me with immense pride and gratitude.
Colleen Haugen-Ortiz, Healthcare Technology Management Quality Specialist, Maryland
Colleen Haugen-Ortiz is on the Technology Management Executive Council for the AAMI and works for GE Healthcare as a Healthcare Technology Management Quality Specialist. She is based in Washington DC Baltimore area, Maryland.
Why has a career in HTM been right for you?
Going into the military, I wanted a career that I could easily transition out of the military with. As well, I felt like HTM was fun in a sense that I can still teach (customers/other HTM professionals) and also problem solve. I found my best fit working in quality and some of my volunteer work with AAMI where I get to teach and make a difference on a larger scale! I Love our community which is very tight knit compared to others and what we do truly matters though many would never know it.
Paul Collier, Biomedical Engineering Supervisor, Mississippi
Paul Collier has been in HTM for over 12 years and has a strong background in network security for medical devices. He works for G.V. Sonny Montgomery VAMC as Biomedical Engineering Supervisor and is based in Madison in Mississippi.
Why has a career in HTM been right for you?
A career in HTM has been the perfect fit for me, especially after starting in the military as a combat medic. It was during my time as a combat medic that I realized my passion for healthcare. Transitioning into HTM allowed me to combine that passion with my love for technology. Being a bit of a tech nerd, I thrive in the ever-evolving world of healthcare technology, where I’m constantly learning and applying new advancements to enhance patient care. The direct impact our work has on improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes is incredibly fulfilling.
Alexei Mesones, Field Service Engineer Multi-Modality, New York
Alexei Mesones works as a Field Service Engineer for GE HealthCare on a wide range of equipment, including MRI, Vascular, Fluoroscopy, and X-ray machines. He is based in Hudson Valley in New York State.
Why has a career in HTM been right for you?
A career in Healthcare Technology Management has been the perfect fit for me as a GE Healthcare field service engineer specializing in MRI and vascular equipment. It combines my passion for technology with my desire to make a difference in healthcare.
Working on cutting-edge medical equipment allows me to continually learn and grow, while directly impacting patient care.
Plus, being in the dynamic healthcare field keeps me challenged and engaged every day along with working alongside a skilled team of engineers.
Hector Rivera, Technical Medical Associate, South Carolina
Hector Rivera trained as a BMET in the Army and worked globally. He then came back to USA biomedical engineering and works for the Medical University of South Carolina as a Technical Medical Associate. He is based in Charleston, South Carolina.
Why has a career in HTM been right for you?
During my military career I embarked on a new career field as a Biomedical Equipment Repair Technician (BMET). I progressed from a Mobile Army Surgical Hospitals (MASH) to Large Army Medical Centres and transitioned from enlisted BMET to Warrant Officer.
After 30 years in the military, I took on new opportunities as a contractor: eight years as Senior Advisor for Biomedical Equipment and Hospital systems to Surgeon General in Afghanistan, Kuwait, Iraq and back to Afghanistan.
While I have explored many options through my journey up the chain to more senior positions, I have always committed my HTM Team to stay focused and keep your eye on the ball. Our field is unique and continuously evolving. Our next challenge is cyber/artificial intelligence. It’s just a matter of time until a device will be letting us know how to proceed to repair its faults.
Brock Bennett, Biomed Imaging Technician Associate, Wisconsin
Brock Bennett is a Biomed Imaging Technician Associate at Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital. He is based in Greater Milwaukee in Wisconsin.
Why has a career in HTM been right for you?
Embracing a career in Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) has been deeply fulfilling, particularly in my role as the onsite engineer at ProHealth Care’s Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital. Over nearly eight years, I’ve appreciated the balance between technical tasks and nurturing relationships with clinic staff. It’s not just about troubleshooting equipment; it’s about supporting our team in maximizing their resources to enhance patient care.
More people working in global and USA Biomedical Engineering
Who repairs and services the medical equipment in a hospital?
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