The state organization is opening its upcoming educational session to non-members to maximize the impact of a high-profile presentation from AAMI.

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By Alyx Arnett

The HTM Association of Alabama is preparing for its Aug 5 meeting at the Children’s Hospital of Alabama, opening registration to all interested professionals rather than restricting attendance to members. The event will feature a presentation by Danielle McGeary, vice president of healthcare technology management at AAMI.

The association decided to waive its active membership requirement for this session because of the high-profile guest speaker, according to Kelvin Knight, MSHA, CHTM, CBET, president of the association and director of biomedical engineering at Children’s of Alabama. By opening the doors to anyone interested, the organization hopes to leverage the event to increase awareness of the healthcare technology management profession across the state. The organization anticipates attendees to include biomedical technicians and clinical engineers, as well as IT professionals and manufacturer representatives.

“We hope that opening the meeting to anyone interested and having such an important speaker from AAMI will generate interest in the association and the profession,” Knight says.

Navigating Workforce and Operational Hurdles

HTM professionals in Alabama are currently prioritizing employee recruitment and retention, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, and the responsible incorporation of artificial intelligence into daily operations, Knight says. He identifies the process of hiring, training, and retaining qualified personnel as the most significant hurdle facing local departments.

According to Knight, a deficit of skilled HTM professionals directly impacts hospital operations. He notes that this shortage leads to increased staff turnover and extended downtime for medical equipment. To help address these operational demands, the association functions as a platform for professionals to share experiences and strategies.

“Everyone in HTM has unique insights related to the profession, whether they work in hospitals, third-party service companies, or for medical equipment manufacturers,” Knight says. “Hearing from other HTM professionals about their experiences is invaluable.”

Educational Programming and AAMI Support

The upcoming session with McGeary continues the association’s practice of recruiting specialized speakers for its educational events. Previous meetings have featured experts discussing topics such as equipment calibration and artificial intelligence, including a recent presentation from a University of Alabama at Birmingham speaker on applying AI in daily professional work, Knight says.

McGeary was selected for the August event due to her insight into the current state of the profession and her continued efforts to develop resources for state organizations, according to Knight.

“Danielle McGeary has worked hard to support state associations like ours, and we are fortunate to have her as our featured speaker,” Knight says. “Our members will certainly benefit from her expertise in the HTM profession.”

Long-Term Association Goals

Beyond the immediate educational sessions, the HTM Association of Alabama is focusing on regional growth and early career outreach. Knight says the organization intends to work alongside local schools to raise awareness of the HTM field among students.

Additional goals for the upcoming year include expanding membership throughout the region, increasing vendor support, and promoting continuous professional development, Knight says. The association also plans to offer continuing education units for its sessions through AAMI’s ACI program.

These initiatives are designed to foster a more connected local workforce. Networking remains a central component of the meetings, which Knight says helps members learn about employment and advancement opportunities while collaborating to maintain safe and effective healthcare technology.

Photo credit: HTM Association of Alabama