By K. Richard Douglas
The Sunshine State has attracted tourists and transplants to its sunny climate for decades. In addition to a sunny climate, the state offers a variety of beaches along its coasts along with nationally known destinations like Universal Orlando, Disney World and the Kennedy Space Center.
The sun and surf attract biomeds, along with other transplants, who join the state’s native population of HTM professionals. Those biomeds can be found everywhere from Miami to Pensacola and all points in-between.
Uniting the HTM community in Florida is the state’s biomed society. The Florida Biomedical Society (FBS) was established in 1985, according to its President Mark Lopez, CBET. The statewide group includes five chapters and was awarded Tech Choice Award for Association of the Year in 2024.
Lopez says that Lou Katchis, BSEE, MSEE, MBA, CCE, now retired and a former biomed specialist at Baptist Health South Florida, Coral Gables, Florida, is a founding member of the organization. Katchis currently serves as the association’s treasurer.
“During the 1980s, biomedical engineering was starting to exert its influence onto national perception as medical equipment developed more into the forefront of healthcare. At this time, more biomedical societies were forming to provide guidance and professional growth in the ever-expanding equipment environment; Florida was no exception, with two societies already operating in the state; one in the south region (SFAMI) and one in the northeast (NEFAMI),” Lopez says.
He says that as more biomedical societies formed around Florida, [they] struggled to sustain quality content, leadership, professional development and membership participation. It was with this in mind that several of these groups started to discuss the formation of a united statewide society that could provide mutual support for all the local groups.
In a meeting to assure biomed attendance at an American Society for Healthcare Engineering (ASHE) meeting in Florida, some of the founding members organized the first meeting for what would become the FBS in October of 1985. A constitution for the new organization was drafted. Shortly thereafter, a statewide organization was incorporated and bylaws were created.
“Today FBS consists of five chapters representing the majority of the state’s geography: the Gulf Coast Biomedical Society (GCBS), the Bay Area Association of Medical Instrumentation (BAAMI), the North East Florida Association of Medical Instrumentation (NEFAMI), the Central Florida Biomedical Instrumentation Society (CFBIS) and the South Florida Association for Medical Instrumentation (SFAMI). FBS is approaching 40 years of service and considered by many in the community as one of the best societies in the nation.
Lopez says that the organization’s five chapters currently operate independently, holding meetings throughout the year at their discretion, with some meetings simulcast online.
“The FBS Board meets quarterly and maintains consistent communication year-round to ensure our annual symposium is the best possible experience. In non-symposium years, we actively support and collaborate with MD Expo when it returns to Florida every three years,” he adds. MD Expo will be in Orlando, Florida this October.
Lopez says that the local chapters maintain strong relationships with local biomedical technical schools, high schools and middle schools to promote the HTM career field and the Florida Biomedical Society.
“FBS offers several scholarships for students, as well as scholarship opportunities for HTM professionals pursuing CBET certification. In addition, FBS recognizes excellence through awards that honor outstanding individual professional achievement with the BMET of the Year Award, as well as HTM organizations and vendors/OEMs that demonstrate professional leadership within the state of Florida through the President’s Award,” Lopez says.
SUPER BOWL OF SYMPOSIUMS
The organization is lucky to be located somewhere that offers many potential venues for events and conferences. The locale also allows for exceptional symposiums.
“Recently celebrating our 40-year anniversary and 20 years of hosting events at Walt Disney World Resort properties, FBS has built a strong legacy of excellence. The annual December FBS Symposium at Walt Disney World is widely recognized for its comprehensive educational opportunities, outstanding social events, and extensive, highly engaging vendor exhibits. Often referred to as the ‘Super Bowl of symposiums,’ we take great pride in delivering an exceptional experience that supports and celebrates our profession,” Lopez says.
He adds that the group’s symposium offers technical and management classes covering imaging, service, best practices, safety, healthcare IT and regulatory updates.
“It is not uncommon to see managers and senior technicians learning alongside instructors who trained them 20-30 years ago, bringing the experience full circle and highlighting how this career field continually gives back to its own,” Lopez says.
He says that beyond the classroom, vendor receptions, exhibitor hall social hours, group dinners, and a signature EPCOT event, help the FBS symposium create meaningful connections between professionals, vendors, recruiters and new technicians fostering a strong social and networking environment rarely found in the workplace. The annual golf tournament further encourages relaxed and engaging interactions where lasting professional relationships are formed.
“In 2026, FBS is excited to join forces with the always spectacular MD Expo, coming to Orlando’s Rosen Shingle Creek from October 13-15. Our very own president, Wolney Linhares from the South Florida Chapter, will proudly represent FBS, while I’ll be leading background and recruitment efforts to ensure we make the most of this incredible opportunity to connect, collaborate and showcase the strength of our HTM community,” Lopez says.
In a diverse state with several major population centers, the FBS unites HTM professionals from coast to coast in one of the country’s preeminent statewide biomed organizations.
For more information about FBS, visit FBSonline.net.
For more information about MD Expo, visit MDExpoShow.com.
Association of the Year
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