Planning for the 42^nd Annual NCBA Symposium in Pinehurst in August continues and as of today, the event is still scheduled.  The Board of Directors have been in regular contact, assessing and monitoring this ever-changing crisis.  We will continue to monitor and will make any postponement or cancellation decision in the best interest of all our vendors, attendees, and colleagues. 

Welcome!

As we approach the NCBA’s 40^th anniversary, I can’t help but reminisce about 1978 when a small group of BMETs and healthcare professionals thought it was time to establish a professional organization whose focus would be the educational and professional development of our peers. Little did we know what the North Carolina Biomedical Association would grow into over the next four decades. I am very proud to have played a part in the formation of this organization that has been so much a part of my life.

It is important though to never forget that any organization is really nothing so much as the people who dedicate their lives and careers to it. And the NCBA is no exception. Over four decades we have had a remarkable group of people who accepted leadership roles in this organization and have helped transform up into what we are today … and what we will continue to evolve into moving forward.

With that said, as your current NCBA President, it is my pleasure to introduce your 2017-18 leadership team.

President ................................................................................. Glenn Scales

Vice President........................................................................... David Wilson

Treasurer.................................................................................. Terry Morris

Membership Secretary.......................................................... Jeremy Collins

Recording Secretary................................................................. Aaron Watts

Vendor Coordinator............................................................................ Bill Fry

Hotel Coordinator....................................................................... Clint McCoy

Golf Coordinator........................................................................ Aaron Watts

Newsletter Editor...................................................................... Patrick Bright

Scholarship Coordinator....................................................... Susan Trombly

Shop of the Year.................................................................... Boyd Campbell

Webmaster.............................................................................. Jeremy Collins

President:

Patrick K. Lynch, CBET

Carolinas Hospital Engineering Support Services (CHESS)

Charlotte Memorial Hospital, Charlotte, NC

Vice President:

W. Glenn Scales, CBET

Biomedical Equipment Rental & Sales, Inc.

Secretary:

Wes Cormac

Moore Memorial Hospital, Pinehurst, NC

Treasurer:

Eddy G. Whisnant

Physio Control Corp., Raleigh, NC

Directors:

Jim Downing

Wilson Memorial Hospital, Wilson, NC

Frank Forrest, CBET

Memorial Hospital of Alamance County,

Burlington, NC

Dave Curry

Grace Hospital, Morganton, NC

Dr. J.C. Boone

Stanly Technical College, Albemarle, NC

Clint Crites, CBET

Carolinas Hospital Engineering Support Services (CHESS)

N.C. Baptist Hospital, Winston-Salem, NC

Bob Strickland, R.H.Ed.

Area Health Education Center, Raleigh, NCBest wishes to you all.

This, our 40th year is being planned with a special emphasis on our past history. Our 40th Symposium and Expo will be held at the beautiful Pinehurst Hotel & Resort on August 21-24, 2018. The NCBA Board of Directors has started planning our educational program, but it is important that we hear from the members about any developmental opportunities you'd like to see presented next August, or as a stand-alone class during the year. Our strength has always been the support of our members and your feedback is a critical part of that process. Please reach out to me or any member of the Board with your ideas and suggestions

W. Glenn Scales CBET-E

NCBA President

Welcome!

After pondering the strengths of the NCBA Board of Directors this year, it suddenly hit me.  I wonder how many lives this board has helped save or improve?  I wonder how many millions of dollars they have saved directly, or indirectly?  How many genius processes, improvements, policies, procedures, advancements, and standards, were derived from their thoughts?  How many top shelf Biomeds have they passed on their knowledge to, and/or helped to train?  And what are the strengths and talents of each person that I could help carry into the next generation of Healthcare Technology Professionals?  This is an incredible group of individuals that have taken on various jobs within the board in order to carry out our mission statement… “Enhancing Biomedical Professionals since 1978”.  And having this “Biomed Dream Team” entrust me with the position of Presidency has been such an honor.

Our return to Pinehurst this year was nothing short of a success!  All measurables trended upwards.  Vendors, attendees, quality classes, sponsorships, golf, etc… But none of these compare to the “feel” that Pinehurst has given back to our event.  HTM, especially in the Carolinas, is a close-knit community that has not only provided to us colleagues, but lifelong friends and mentors.  Pinehurst has always helped us to get away from the real world for a few days to bond, share, and grow as a community.  And that is how advancement is, and should be, made.  Through passionate professionals working hard to enhance this field. 

HTM is a fantastic, yet widely unknown, career path that has treated a lot of individuals very well.  However it has a workforce that will continue to diminish.  A great deal of knowledge will be leaving this field within the next several years, just as technology advances at an inversely proportionate (or higher) rate.  I would like to encourage all of you to get out, and inform your communities, of the HTM profession.  Help us to grow our workforce, just as the need for it also advances.  This world may end up with plenty of other healthcare professionals, but the need for a HTM Professional will always be present. 

I would like to thank all of those individuals who have served or supported the NCBA in any capacity in the past or present.  Without all of you this organization would have dwindled away to nothing almost 40 years ago.  In addition I would like to congratulate our current board on the following elected positions for 2016-2017…

Robert Duvall, CRES – Vice President

Sally Goebel – Treasurer

Jeremy Collins – Membership Secretary

Terry Morris – Recording Secretary

Glenn Scales, CBET-E – Ex Officio

Boyd Campbell, CBET, CRES – Vendor Coordinator

Susan Trombley, CBET – Newsletter Editor

Greg Johnson, CBET – Hotel Coordinator

Daniel Norman, CBET – Golf Coordinator

As well as; Clint McCoy, CBET – John Noblitt, CBET – Brian Lefler, CBET – and Thomas Bresnahan, CBET for other duties within the board.

Codi Nelson, CBET

NCBA President