AAMI & GE Healthcare BMET of the Year Award

This award is given to a biomedical equipment technician (BMET) to recognize individual dedication, achievement, and excellence in the field of healthcare technology management.

Candidates must demonstrate:

Achievement and sustained excellence through specific contributions to the profession.
Achievement of the ICC Certification: CBET, CRES, or CLES
Employment in the HTM field for five years or more

Candidates should demonstrate:

Current responsibilities associated with the role of technician/technologist
Active participation and leadership in local, state, or national HTM organizations
Contributions to share knowledge and experience through speaking engagements or authorship of articles related to HTM
Resolution of an HTM challenge or problem in a patient care environment
A role in special projects or studies that made a difference to the field

The award includes a $1,500 check and a plaque to be presented at the AAMI Exchange.

The deadline for 2021 submissions has passed. For more information, contact awards@aami.org.

2021 Recipient

Maggie Berkey, BMET Senior, Catholic Health Initiatives (CHI) Health network, Good Samaritan hospital

As a member of AAMI’s Technology Management Council, Berkey’s focus has been on improving career paths for HTM professionals, ensuring the right people get the right training at the right time. Berkey is known as an educator, both as an instructor at a local community college and as a mentor helping prospective HTM professionals realize their potential. Just this year, she worked with AAMI to design and implement a nationally recognized BMET Apprenticeship program. The program is designed to ensure entry-level BMETs get the hands-on training they need not only to start a new career, but to adapt with the rapidly changing healthcare technology field.

“Never, in my wildest dreams, could I have imagined being chosen as BMET of the Year when I entered the biomed workforce 11 years ago,” said Berkey. “Fresh out of BMET school, I had a rough resume, no ‘valuable’ experience, and struggled for months to find employment. I am forever grateful to Vickie Snyder for taking a risk and hiring me. She has always encouraged me to use my energy and passion to affect a positive change in our industry. I feel blessed beyond measure!”