Not many people would think to use two strawberry shortcake pans in the early design of a medical ventilator — but Forrest M. Bird, MD, is unique. He placed a diaphragm in the pan to drop the pressure, and a magnet would grab the pressure and hold it off.

From flying airplanes to creating medical equipment to combat cardiopulmonary problems, Bird has made an indelible mark on the medical technology field. For his numerous accomplishments, Bird has been awarded the prestigious 2009 AAMI Foundation Laufman-Greatbatch Prize.

Bird is an avid pilot, taking his first solo flight when he was 14 and even meeting an aged Orville Wright. “His passion for flying and knowledge of airfoils has served him well in understanding lung function,” says Leslie R. Atles, CCE, CBET, director of technology management for Masterplan. “Later he applied that knowledge to the development of his many medical inventions.”

Those inventions have helped save thousands of lives. Among Bird’s inventions are the first low-cost, portable medical respirator and an aircrew breathing regulator to be used when airplanes fly at high altitudes. The AAMI Awards Subcommittee also selected five other medical technology leaders to receive 2009 awards.

Carol Davis-Smith: Giving Back

Carol Davis- Smith knew that she couldn’t have done it alone. “It is an indescribable feeling to be recognized by my professional peers,” says Davis-Smith, a director with Premier Consulting Solutions and chair of AAMI’s Technology Management Council (TMC), who has been awarded the 2009 AAMI Clinical/Biomedical Engineering Achievement Award.

“An e-mail tag routinely used by one of my clinical engineering colleagues comes immediately to mind:‘Many hands, hearts, and minds generally contribute to anyone’s notable achievements.’ I cannot express my gratitude enough to everyone who has influenced my career.”

Bridget Moorman, president of BMoorman Consulting LLC, nominated Davis-Smith because of her contributions to AAMI and the field. “In her 21 years as a clinical engineer, she has demonstrated a keen understanding of what it means to be a clinical engineer, and has given back to the field by educating and promoting the profession and its ideals to both the biomedical and clinical communities,” Moorman says.

Guruprasad Madhavan: Future Innovator

Guruprasad Madhavan is laying the groundwork for noninvasive therapy to solve chronic health problems. In recognition of his efforts, he is the recipient of the 2009 AAMI/ BD Professional Achievement Award.

Madhavan is currently pursuing an innovative medical device concept that could result in a non-invasive, portable, neuromuscular stimulation therapy to enhance lower limb circulation. The effort could help with circulation-related ailments such as heart failure and osteoporosis.

“This recognition has utterly boosted my enthusiasm to better communicate — and represent — biomedical engineering to the general public and political community,” Madhavan says. “Their engagement is crucial if we are serious about influencing public policy, improving technology access, fueling career development, and spreading the many social innovations related to biomedical engineering.”

David Scott: Providing Leadership

The Colorado Association of Biomedical Equipment Technicians (CABMET) is known for its effective certification study groups and educational offerings — and its CABMET President Dave Scott who plays an integral role in making sure these programs thrive and grow.

For his efforts in helping to advance CABMET and his contributions as a biomedical technician in the equipment management program at The Children’s Hospital in Aurora, CO, Scott has been awarded the 2009 AAMI/GE Healthcare BMET of the Year Award.

“Dave was the driver in developing the curriculum, faculty, and educational materials for a certified biomedical equipment technician (CBET) examination review course offered in Denver for several years,” says Matt Baretich, president of the consulting firm Baretich Engineering Inc. “This effort produced high rates for passing the exam, and resulted in certification for a large number of BMETs in Colorado.” The CBET review course started in 2004, and is now offered nationally.

J. Tobey Clark: Humanitarian Educator

J. Tobey Clark goes beyond borders to teach clinical engineering.

In recognition of his work educating medical technical professionals abroad on how to safely use medical technology, Clark is the winner of the 2009 AAMI Foundation/ ACCE Robert L. Morris Humanitarian Award. Clark, director of the Instrumentation and Technical Services Department for the University of Vermont, has participated in and led numerous advanced clinical engineering workshops in developing countries.

“As a result of his services, professionals in many countries have created solid technology management programs that include many of the fundamentals, including procurement planning and technician skill development,” says Jennifer L. Jackson, ACCE president.

Julian M. Goldman: Connectivity Pioneer

Julian M. Goldman, MD, recognized early the importance of interoperability among the increasing multitude of medical devices. He parlayed that vision into groundbreaking work such as founding the medical device plug-and-play interoperability program, leading the development of a new standard for the “Integrated Clinical Environment,” and the Operating Room of the Future, a project that explores
new technologies and systems of patient care.

For his contributions to getting medical devices to work together for patient safety, Goldman is the recipient of the 2009 AAMI Foundation/ Institute for Technology in Health Care Clinical Application Award. Goldman is a practicing anesthesiologist at Massachusetts General Hospital, and currently serves as director of interoperability for the Center for Integration of Medicine and Innovative Technology (CIMIT), a nonprofit consortium of Boston-area healthcare and technology institutions led by Partners Healthcare.

“Julian is a pioneer in and evangelist for the use of interoperability to create smarter alarms and safety interlocked systems of equipment,” says Raymond Zambuto, CCE, president of Linc Health, LLC.

AAMI News: June 2009, Vol. 44, No. 6