In this 24×7 exclusive, California Medical Instrumentation Association (CMIA) President Jason Velick, who also serves as ultrasound account manager at Boston Imaging, a subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, shares why California-based HTM professionals should join the CMIA and what’s on the horizon for the historic association.
24×7 Magazine: Can you please discuss the history of the CMIA?
Jason Velick: The California Medical Instrumentation Association was founded in 1972 with the goal of offering a statewide organization to biomedical equipment technicians and clinical engineers. The intent was to create an organization to facilitate the need for in-person contact and to help members solve the everyday problems that we encounter in healthcare.
24×7: What are the association’s key values and how do they influence how the association operates?
Velick: The CMIA focuses on assisting students by maintaining a close supportive relationship with biomedical technology programs at community colleges. We also assist students with annual scholarship awards, including the Frank Yip Memorial Scholarship Fund. In addition, the CMIA is instrumental in providing support to biomedical engineers of the International Certification Commission certification process.
24×7: In your expert opinion, what are the key issues facing the healthcare technology management sector and how is the CMIA working to overcome them?
Velick: Like other business sectors, one of healthcare’s key challenges is being asked to do more with fewer resources. Fortunately, the CMIA provides a platform for us to share our challenges and the creative solutions we’ve found that allow us to facilitate uninterrupted patient care.
24×7: In short, why should California-based HTM professionals join the association?
Velick: The main reason, from my perspective, is that our chapter meetings are a lot of fun and allow for professional development and networking.
24×7: What’s next for the CMIA?
Velick: We are very excited for our 2022 CMIA Connect Conference, which will be held from September 30-October 1 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Sacramento. We expect more than 250 attendees, and this conference will allow healthcare technologists and clinical engineers to learn and develop the skills needed for growth and success. We will have more than 30 courses on professional and personal development and three keynote speakers to address current hot topics in the field of biomedical engineering.
24×7: What else do you want to tell 24×7 readers about the CMIA?
Velick: The CMIA is the largest and longest-running biomedical engineering association that is affiliated with the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)—and there is tremendous strength in numbers. We have eight chapters statewide, and each chapter has an in-person meeting every other month. The focus of our chapter meetings is on education, and we avoid presentations that are considered “sales pitches” by our vendor supporters.
I’ve had the pleasure of being involved with this exciting and active organization for more than 10 years. I’m a proud corporate member of the CMIA, and I’m grateful to have the opportunity to give back to our local biomedical engineering community in a way that fosters professional development with the goal of improving patient care.
Featured image: LA Chapter CMIA Event at Keck USC Medical Center..
