Gather the leading executives in the healthcare technology management, service and support industry in one convention center near Lake Erie and what happens? Cleveland rocks. Here’s at least a dozen reasons why HealthTech 2001 is the place to be.
The seventh annual business meeting for healthcare technology professionals — HealthTech 2001 — is approaching rapidly. Cleveland is the host city for this year’s event, which occurs April 22 through 25.
As in past years, HealthTech 2001 offers a multitude of specialized educational sessions, valuable networking opportunities, several new product announcements in the exhibit hall, many opportunities for career or business advancement, an attempt to rejuvenate of a local biomed society, and if history holds true, the formation of at least one new service company by A. Ray Dalton.
Once again, HealthTech gets a fine, early educational start on Sunday, April 22, thanks to Wayne Hibbs, president of C. Wayne Hibbs & Associates (Dallas), and William K. Pollock, president of Strategies for Growth (Westtown, Pa.).
Hibbs wants to know, “Is That Your Final Answer on Terms and Conditions?” and his workshop will address the expectations and realities of terms and conditions for both medical equipment purchasing and service agreements.
Pollock’s forum deals with “Service Planning: Building and Applying a Strategic Services Marketing Plan.” He’ll offer advice on implementing a successful services marketing plan and answer many key questions that arise in the planning process.
Monday’s schedule
Manuel J. Glynias, president and CEO of NetGenics (Cleveland), is Monday morning’s keynote speaker. His topic, “The Source Code of Life,” explores problem that were encountered when the Human Genome Project tried to process and assimilate the massive volumes of data being generated by far-flung research labs. It’s an exploration of ways information technology is influencing the understanding of human diseases and the identification of new molecular targets for drug discovery.
From there, HealthTech trekkers are welcome to attend a number of sessions throughout the day.
Dave Harrington, manager of special projects for Technology in Medicine (Milford, Mass.), takes “An Intimate Look at Remote Diagnostics.” Is it an emperor without clothes? Harrington will endeavor to destroy the myth that remote diagnostics are automatically a win-win situation, and is inviting HealthTech attendees to bring examples of how remote diagnostic have — or have not — benefited them.
This just added: Jim Loeffler, a BMET with International Aid Medical Equipment Services (Spring Lake, Mich.), will be in Cleveland to discusses ways the U.S. can “Help Developing Countries Using Our Healthcare Technology.” This session will cover the best ways to prepare medical equipment for the trip and itemize the benefits of equipment donations, including tax benefits, time savings and positive public relations.
With the Federal Communications Commission’s announcement that the American Society of Hospital Engineers will be the Frequency Coordinator for the new Wireless Medical Telemetry Service, questions about the program are filling the air. Paul Sherman, a biomedical engineer with VA National Engineering Service Center, was a member of the American Hospital Association’s Telemetry Taskforce, and while he may not have all the answers, he will do his best to explain the Task Force’s effort to resolve issues of electromagnetic interference, the role of frequency coordination, and offer steps hospitals can take to determine their risk.
Monday afternoon, 24×7 Editor Bob Larkin will host this year’s “Service Industry Panel”, a lively look at the state-of-the-industry, as debated by some of its ranking executives. Among those sitting on this year’s panel are Dale Jones of GE Clinical Services, Inc. (Jupiter, Fla.) and new Masterplan president Adam Coffey (Chatsworth, Calif.).
Tuesday’s line up
Pinch-hitting for original Tuesday keynoter James Battles, will be his teammate from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Marge Keyes, Health Scientist Administrator. She will discuss “Doing What Counts for Public Safety” and outline federal government activities to address the problem of preventable medical errors.
Considering a service management application? Ron Greco, a consultant for Astea International (Horsham, Penn.), has worked on both sides of the process — for a medical device manufacturer as well a customer relationship management software vendor. In “Selecting a Service Solution,” Ron will identify key selection criteria and share useful insights, such as “demo scripting.”
Don’t miss this year’s 24×7 Editors’ Panel. Bill Collier, president of BC Group International, Inc. (St. Louis), leads a no-holds-barred debate on the hottest topics in the industry, along with fellow Contributing Editors C. Wayne Hibbs and Dave Harrington.
Cleveland’s local biomed group, the North Coast Clinical Engineering Technology Assoc. is in a slump, so MedEquip Biomedical (Miami) will sponsor a “re-orginizational meeting” Tuesday evening at 7:00 p.m. that it hopes will restore enthusiasm for the NCCETA. HealthTech registration is not required for the gathering, but MedEquip is offering Exhibit Hall passes to area techs interested in prowling the show floor before the meeting. “Just bring enthusiasm and ideas,” asks Bruce Maden of MedEquip. Call them at 877-470-8013 for more information.
Wednesday’s finale
On HealthTech’s final day, two special workshops are worthy of your attention: Charles B. Myers, director of healthcare equipment planning at Peterson Associates (Charlotte, N.C.), will describe in detail methods to maximize a capital budget with an effective equipment acquisition strategy.
Also on Wednesday, Ken Compton, director of strategic marketing at Clinton Electronics Corporation (Rockford, Ill.), gives a workshop on buying softcopy imaging equipment that promises to demystify vendor specs and performance stats.
For more information or to register for HealthTech 2001, call 401-455-0555, and for a complete program or to register online, please visit www.healthtechnet.com.
