In Profile: HTM Leader Sees Her Profession as 'Solving Problems'
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| Marcia Wylie |
Marcia Wylie has long had a passion for science. Now, as senior director of biomedical engineering at Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation, Wylie oversees a large staff.
What prompted you to enter the field?
When I was in high school my dad took me to the School of Engineering’s open house at the University of Southern California. We toured the labs, and I remember seeing the artificial kidneys they had set up. That really impressed me and from then on I wanted to be a biomedical engineer. I liked the science, especially looking at human physiology as the system.
What brought you to Scripps?
After college, I was hired by the VA in San Diego as a biomedical engineering intern. Toward the end of my work there, a VA colleague called to see if I was interested in coming to the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation. Scripps had just expanded and moved into a much larger facility. Since I wanted to stay in San Diego, I was very interested, and I was hired as a biomedical engineer.
What do you do in your position as senior director of biomedical engineering?
I have responsibility for the operation of our system-wide department. We cover five acute care hospital campuses, 26 clinics, home health, outpatient surgery centers, and a proton therapy facility. I am involved in strategic planning for equipment replacement decisions, new technology evaluations, regulatory compliance, integrated medical devices, network security, performance improvement projects, and motivating and developing our very awesome biomedical Members on the Move engineering staff.
How have you seen the profession change? What challenges lie ahead?
I have seen the field transition from performing and documenting repairs and maintenance to one of solving problems. We are now involved in planning and equipping new hospital buildings, designing solutions to securely place equipment on our network, and integrating information from medical devices to each other and to the electronic medical record.
I think the biggest challenge that lies ahead is to lower the cost of healthcare. Despite the regulations and complexity, we are the problem solvers. We need to envision the future, move in that direction, and support the new model, which I think includes more in home care, more wireless connectivity, and more integration of different systems to provide actionable information to caregivers.
I see you’ve joined with others to start the West Wireless Health Council. How are things progressing on that front?
West Health is developing a framework for a medical grade wireless utility, making it as ubiquitous and reliable as electricity or plumbing. Scripps will be following the framework in our two new hospital towers and retrofitting some areas.
What do you like to do in your down time?
I like to Irish dance and spend several hours a week in class or in competitions. A new project that is on the horizon is that my husband and I are starting a winery. We have seven barrels of red wine aging now, and hope to have our license in the next few months. Cheers!
AAMI News: April 2013, Vol. 48, No. 4