From the President ... Mary Logan
December 22, 2011
Success and Challenges in 2011
I always enjoy reading year-end reflections on the best and worst of the year, even from the stock market pundits. The humorous ones are, of course, always the best. Humorist I am not, so in more of a reflective, introspective mode, here is my look back at AAMI's successes and challenges in 2011:
Proudest Successes
- Annual Conference: Like a lot of other attendees, I was blown away by the experience. We broke all attendance records, the program was much stronger, and it felt like a real community of engaged people.
- Two Summits: We pulled off not just one but two, and nailed it again on selecting compelling topics (alarm safety and reprocessing of reusable medical devices) and engaging diverse audiences in a new and important way. If you didn't attend, you can read the post-summit publication on clinical alarms here. We’ll provide a link to the reprocessing summit publication once it’s ready in AN Weekly.
- Launch of the AAMI Foundation's Healthcare Technology Safety Institute: This is the new community within the AAMI Foundation where we will focus on non-standards oriented patient safety issues around technology. Our first foray: infusion safety. We will add alarm safety in 2012. A highlight was the AAMI Board's strong support of the launch with a $500,000 contribution from reserves. Get involved, either as a volunteer on a project, by funding a research project, through a sponsorship, or by providing other financial support. Click here.
- ·Future Forum: AAMI convened a Future Forum event, during which a committed group of biomedical engineering technicians, clinical engineers, and related healthcare technology professionals developed a name and vision for the Healthcare Technology Management (HCTM) field.
- Branding Initiative: We have a new logo, tagline, and fresh look to our publications and other materials.
Most Significant Challenges
- Retirement of our Senior VP of Standards: Thankfully, our longtime Senior VP of Standards, Theresa Zuraski, gave us almost a full year of notice that she would step down at the end of this year. She has been such a force in the standards department for so many years that the anticipated change required deep thought about the vision and strategy for the standards program. Change and challenge also bring opportunity, and this change opened the door for Carol Herman to become the new senior VP staring January 1. Carol comes to us from the FDA, where she was the very capable director of the agency's standards program.
- Urgency to Define AAMI's Best Role: I feel a personal sense of urgency that AAMI must move strongly now to define its best role(s) related to the integration of medical devices and IT networks. This is a major "theme" in staff goals in 2012, and will be the subject of many discussions among volunteer leaders across all of our audiences.
- Global Economy: The ongoing global economic instability makes our re-assessment of programs and member value even more critical. Combine this with the speed of change in the medical device field and we all face the challenge of constantly moving forces.
Overall, we have had an outstanding year! I feel fortunate to lead this organization in lockstep with talented staff and committed members and experts. We share a common goal that inspires each one of us: improving patient outcomes through the advancement of clinical technology. Thank you for being part of the AAMI community.
Best wishes for a healthy, happy, and prosperous 2012. We look forward to continuing to provide you and your organization with outstanding programs and services, and hope to see you at an AAMI event in the months ahead.
Kindest Regards,
Mary Logan, JD, CAE
AAMI President
mlogan@aami.org
+1-703-253-8265