In this Q&A, 24×7 speaks with Tajwar Khan, Crothall Healthcare Technology Solutions midwest regional director of operations about the company’s collaboration with Project C.U.R.E., a global distributor of donated medical equipment and supplies. Volunteers from Crothall Healthcare recently helped to repair donated devices, which includes complex equipment like x-ray machines, ventilators, and infant incubators.
24×7: What inspired Crothall HTS to partner with Project C.U.R.E., and how did this collaboration come about?
Tajwar Khan: In 2023, we were looking for a meaningful way to give back during the holidays. After learning about Project C.U.R.E. at a clinical engineering conference in Illinois, it seemed like a perfect fit. Instead of our usual holiday dinner, we volunteered at Project C.U.R.E. last year and received positive feedback from both employees and the organization. Given the need for our skills, we decided to make this our annual holiday event to help those in need of medical care.
RELATED: Crothall Healthcare Acquires Technical Prospects Field Service
24×7: Can you tell us more about the specific roles of Crothall HTS biomedical technicians and imaging engineers in this volunteer effort?
Khan: This year, we had a diverse team volunteering for the event. Each person is highly trained with unique specialties, allowing them to apply their expertise to successfully repair over 150 medical devices.
24×7: What types of medical equipment are being repaired by Crothall HTS technicians, and what are some of the challenges involved in repairing these devices?
Khan: This time, we successfully repaired approximately 150 medical devices, including EKGs, ECGs, patient monitors, defibrillators, infant warmers, infant scales, anesthesia machines, and ventilators. While we faced challenges such as limited access to test equipment and spare parts, my team displayed remarkable resourcefulness by salvaging components from other devices to get the job done.
24×7: How does repairing and donating equipment impact underserved hospitals both in the U.S. and internationally?
Khan: Project C.U.R.E., the largest distributor of donated medical equipment to communities in 135 countries—including underserved hospitals in the U.S.—urgently needed specialists to repair critical medical devices such as anesthesia machines and ventilators.
24×7: What is the long-term impact Crothall HTS hopes to achieve through this collaboration with Project C.U.R.E.?
Khan: We remain committed to supporting Project C.U.R.E. through ongoing volunteer efforts and assistance. Additionally, we actively encourage our partner hospitals to donate their unused medical equipment to Project C.U.R.E., and many have responded generously. During our visit, we noticed a significant amount of equipment donated by our hospitals, particularly by Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, making a tangible impact on this important mission.
24×7: How does Crothall HTS select the techs who volunteer for this initiative, and what has been their response to this opportunity?
Khan: Technicians volunteered for this event, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive. We saw an even greater turnout compared to last year, with everyone eager to contribute and give back in meaningful ways.
24×7: Are there plans to expand this collaboration or develop similar partnerships to support global healthcare needs in the future?
Khan: For now, we plan to collaborate with Project C.U.R.E. as often as possible to support their incredible mission. They are a remarkable organization dedicated to providing much-needed medical equipment to hospitals in need. The best way we can contribute is by leveraging our expertise to assist them.
