As the Georgia Biomedical Instrumentation Society prepares for its August event, organizers highlight new certification credits, tax-exempt status, and a tribute to a founding educator.
By Alyx Arnett
Healthcare technology management (HTM) professionals will gather at Chattahoochee Technical College in Marietta, Georgia, on Aug 14 and 15 for the 2026 Georgia Biomedical Instrumentation Society (GBIS) Annual Conference. The two-day event includes a Friday evening networking session followed by a full schedule of technical and management classes on Saturday.
This year marks the 28th anniversary of the organization, which has provided resources to clinical engineers, biomedical technicians, and imaging specialists since 1998, according to conference organizer Jewel Newell. Newell says the group’s primary objective remains consistent with its founding principles.
“GBIS’ main mission is to educate our future leaders in the HTM community, so that is what we continue to do,” Newell says.
Expanding Educational Offerings and Scholarships
For the 2026 event, organizers have introduced new elements for attendees, Newell notes. The conference will provide continuing education credits for certified individuals who attend the sessions, according to Newell. Additionally, Newell says the organization recently secured 501(c)(3) status, meaning all financial contributions from attendees and sponsors are now tax-exempt.
These funds directly support the society’s initiatives, which include providing scholarships to students and making donations to local charities. Newell says the society plans to award scholarships to individuals entering the healthcare technology field during this year’s event.
Exhibitors and sponsors contribute to these charitable efforts through their participation fees and monetary donations, according to Newell. Vendors will have opportunities to demonstrate their products to professionals from across the Southeastern United States during designated exhibition hours.
Honoring a Founding Educator
The 2026 conference is officially dedicated to Dr Mike O’Rear, whom Newell identifies as a founding member of the society. Organizers chose to honor O’Rear to recognize his long-term impact on local training programs, according to Newell.
“He is a lifelong educator,” Newell says. “More importantly, he enjoyed teaching. It was one of his passions. It’s safe to say he has trained a great majority of HTM professionals in Metro Atlanta and Georgia.”
Adapting to Device Complexity
The need for ongoing education is driven by the increasing complexity of hospital equipment, Newell says. Newell contrasts early medical tools with modern clinical environments.
“This year, as we celebrate our nation’s milestone of 250 years, the GBIS celebrates a milestone of 28 years. We can only reflect on the technology of 1776—if we can call it technology: muzzle-loaded firearms, oil-filled lamps for light, and wooden teeth for dentures,” she says. “Fast forward to today, and our hospitals have automatic external defibrillators that can restart a stopped heart, imaging devices that display three-dimensional images of the anatomy, and remotely controlled surgical devices (Da Vinci systems) that can be operated by humans—or through a combination of human expertise and AI—from halfway around the world, just to name a few.”
To ensure technicians can maintain today’s advanced systems, the society partners with original equipment manufacturers, subject matter experts, and senior HTM professionals to provide continuing education and professional development to technicians and engineers in the biomedical engineering field year-round, Newell says. This collaborative approach helps members remain prepared for future changes in healthcare technology, according to Newell.
For those considering attending, Newell says the event offers practical benefits for career development across the industry.
“Anyone who is looking to increase their visibility in the HTM community, learn something new, and enjoy networking with their colleagues should attend,” Newell says.
The meet-and-greet takes place Friday, Aug 14, at Lucky Strike Marietta bowling alley, 2749 Delk Road, Marietta, Georgia, at 6 pm. The conference begins on Saturday, Aug 15, 2026, with registration opening at 7 am, followed by breakfast and welcome remarks from Chattahoochee Technical College and GBIS board members.
ID 462872939 | Georgia State Outline © Tang90246 | Dreamstime.com
