Available on Etsy and Amazon, the projects aim to celebrate biomedical technicians and raise awareness of their vital role in healthcare.

By Alyx Arnett 

Andrew Gutierrez, MBA, CBET, has found a new way to celebrate the often-unsung heroes of healthcare: through T-shirts and crossword puzzles.

Gutierrez, a chief clinical engineering technician at Dignity Health’s St. Joseph’s Medical Center and a US Army veteran, recently launched The Biomed Crossword Puzzle Book, available now on Amazon, and Biomed Apparel, a clothing line geared toward healthcare technology management (HTM) professionals, available on Etsy.

The Biomed Crossword Puzzle Book came first, inspired by Gutierrez’s love of learning and a desire to offer “a lighthearted yet educational resource for biomeds and students.” Biomed Apparel was born out of the process of creating the book. “It was fun doing the illustrations, and that sparked a desire to provide techs with clothing that reflects their pride and identity,” he says. 

Starting his career as a 68A biomedical equipment specialist in the military, Gutierrez says he fell in love with the field’s impact early on and has worked closely with biomedical teams since. Now, through his creative projects, he hopes to expand awareness and recognition of the HTM profession.

The Biomed Crossword Puzzle Book features more than 30 original puzzles centered around biomed terminology, equipment, safety, and technical concepts. Designed to be both entertaining and educational, the book aims to engage students, seasoned techs, and CBET exam-preppers alike. 

The shirt pictured is one of more than 40 designs offered by Biomed Apparel, a line created to reflect and celebrate the work of HTM professionals. Photo credit: Andrew Gutierrez

On the apparel side, Gutierrez’s Etsy shop currently offers more than 40 T-shirt designs—with hoodies and long sleeves in the works. Styles range from lighthearted slogans like “An Offer You Can’t Refuse… A Repair You Can’t Ignore” to motivational ones such as “HTM: Powering Healthcare, One Repair at a Time.” He draws inspiration from “everyday challenges, inside jokes within the field, and the desire to represent the hardworking spirit of HTM professionals.”

Beyond boosting morale, some apparel items also support charitable causes. “Giving back is a core value for me, especially since our business is veteran-owned,” he says. A percentage of sales from select shirts—like the Wings of Hope Cancer Awareness T-Shirt—go to organizations, including the Dignity Health Foundation.

So far, Gutierrez says the reception has been overwhelmingly positive. “People appreciate seeing their profession represented with humor and respect,” he says. 

With growing momentum, plans are underway to expand the apparel line and potentially release a second volume of the puzzle book, perhaps a word search book, themed puzzles (such as imaging or respiratory care devices), or a “biomed humor” edition. 

“I hope [these projects] help build a sense of pride, belonging, and visibility for biomeds,” Gutierrez says. “My goal is to celebrate their hard work and create tools that inspire both current techs and future generations to join and support the field.”

Photo caption: Andrew Gutierrez, CBET, showcases The Biomed Crossword Puzzle Book, which he created to offer a fun, educational resource for HTM professionals.

Photo credit: Andrew Gutierrez