By K. Richard Douglas
Few states in the continental U.S. have more natural beauty than California. The expansive state offers coastal communities, wine country, tourist destinations like Disneyland and the Golden Gate Bridge and production of two-thirds of the nation’s fruit and nut crops.
The state contains approximately 400 hospitals, which equates to a lot of medical equipment and a lot of healthcare technology management professionals.
The California Medical Instrumentation Association (CMIA) is one of the country’s oldest and largest HTM organizations. The statewide organization includes eight local chapters. It was founded in 1972 and incorporated in 1992. TechNation previously highlighted CMIA in 2019; pre-pandemic.
From 1974 to 1981, the group met once annually at Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara, California. The group became a model for subsequent biomed association formations in several states.
Current CMIA leadership includes the Chair Byron Webster and Chair Pro-Tem Jason Velick. Additional leaders include Conference Chair Jennifer Nichols, Secretary Emily Hickerson and Treasurer Karie Heiselt.
“The CMIA was established by a group of dedicated professionals in the biomedical engineering field who recognized the need for a statewide organization to support and advance the profession. While specific founding members are not detailed in our records, their collective vision has significantly contributed to the growth and success of the association,” Velick says.
He says that since the group’s inception in 1972, CMIA has grown into a thriving statewide non-profit organization dedicated to serving the needs of the biomedical community through eight local chapters. The association focuses on promoting education, facilitating information exchange, and fostering a sense of community among clinical biomedical engineering professionals in California.
The local chapters keep HTM professionals in each region apprised of what is going on.
“Each of the CMIA’s eight local chapters holds regular meetings, typically on an every-other-month basis. These meetings provide members with opportunities for professional development, networking and information exchange. While in-person attendance is encouraged to foster community engagement, some chapters offer online simulcasts to accommodate members who cannot attend physically, ensuring broader participation,” Velick says.
He says that the organization actively collaborates with local biomedical technical schools and community colleges to support educational programs and provide students with industry insights.
“These partnerships include guest lectures, workshops, and internship opportunities, bridging the gap between academic training and professional practice,” Valick says.
To bolster this commitment, the group offers scholarships to support students pursuing careers in biomedical engineering and related fields.
“These scholarships aim to alleviate financial barriers and encourage academic excellence among aspiring professionals. Details about eligibility criteria and application processes are available on the CMIA website,” Valick adds.
Connect with CMIA
As a large, multi-chapter association, it is safe to anticipate that any annual conference would be comprehensive and a large undertaking. CMIA brings together many attendees from far and near.
“The CMIA hosts an annual conference known as ‘CMIA Connect,’ which serves as the premier educational event for healthcare technology management professionals in California. The conference features keynote speakers, educational sessions, networking opportunities and exhibits showcasing the latest advancements in medical instrumentation. For instance, the 2024 CMIA Connect was held at the Hilton Anaheim Hotel from January 18-20, 2024,” Valick says.
He says that the 2024 event featured a range of educational sessions, keynote presentations from industry leaders and an exhibit hall showcasing cutting-edge medical technologies.
“Attendees had ample opportunities for networking and professional development. Plans for the upcoming conference include expanding the educational tracks, increasing exhibitor participation and enhancing interactive sessions to provide attendees with a comprehensive learning experience,” Valick adds.
With more veteran biomeds exiting the profession, it has become incumbent on biomed associations to help back-fill those positions by encouraging more interest in the field.
“The CMIA addresses the impending workforce gap by engaging with educational institutions to promote careers in healthcare technology management. We participate in career fairs, offer mentorship programs, and provide resources to students and early-career professionals. Additionally, the association leverages social media and professional networks to reach a broader audience and attract new members to the field.
Education and training are often the primary focuses of biomed associations. CMIA identifies this activity as only one of their objectives.
“Beyond education, the CMIA emphasizes networking opportunities, professional development and advocacy for the biomedical engineering profession. We host events that encourage collaboration among members and support initiatives that advance the field. Additionally, the CMIA is committed to community outreach, aiming to inspire the next generation of biomedical professionals,” Velick says.
Many state biomed associations had to make substantial adjustments during the pandemic and some had their operations thrown off substantially. CMIA moved to a digital format to accommodate the disruption of in-person events.
“The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated a swift transition to virtual platforms for meetings, conferences and educational sessions. The CMIA adapted by hosting webinars and online workshops, ensuring that members continued to receive valuable content and opportunities for engagement. This shift also highlighted the importance of digital resources, leading to the development of a knowledge base accessible to members statewide,” Velick says.
In the state with the largest population, the statewide HTM association does not disappoint. CMIA continues to be a pioneer and thought leader among biomed associations and keeps the states’ biomeds connected.
