By Joie N. Marhefka, Ph.D.
I recently attended my first Healthcare Technology Management Association of Ohio (HTMA-OH) event. I had not been to one before as I live in Pennsylvania, which does not have an HTMA. I first learned of the Healthcare Technology Management Association of Ohio (HTMA-OH) Conference when I attended last summer’s AAMI eXchange. I decided to make the three-hour drive from Pittsburgh to Columbus to check out the conference, and I was not disappointed. HTMAs provide a number of benefits, including education, networking, and job opportunities.
The HTMA-OH conference offered a number of excellent educational opportunities. I attended sessions on sterilization and device integration and learned a lot. I had a hard time selecting which sessions to attend give all of the options. In addition to providing education at the conference, virtual educational opportunities are offered throughout the year. The education provided by HTMAs can benefit those looking to renew certifications as well as those looking to keep up with the latest developments in the field or to learn something new.
In addition to education, the HTMA-OH conference provided great opportunities for networking. I made a number of new contacts and was able to reconnect with others at the conference’s social events, meals, and vendor expo. It was a great opportunity to explore partnerships, especially since so many attendees were local (or at least somewhat local).
Along with networking in general, HTMA meetings can benefit those who are searching for a new opportunity. During the HTMA-OH conference, I talked with representatives from a number of companies who were interested in hiring our graduates.
Overall, the conference was a great experience. I plan on going back next year and am hopeful that some students will be able to join me. I believe that all of these aspects and more would benefit our students. Of course, the education sessions would give them an opportunity to learn from experts in various areas of HTM. The conference would offer them an opportunity to practice their networking skills while also making contacts that could lead to internships and jobs in the future. In addition to making valuable connections, the vendor fair would allow students to see some of the newest technologies in healthcare and in HTM.
While I’ve mostly been writing about HTMA-OH, since this is the HTMA with which I am most familiar, thanks to its proximity to Pittsburgh and to their wonderful conference. But HTMAs in other states or regions offer similarly great opportunities. Colleagues and other contacts have attended HTMA meetings in other states or regions and have shared positive feedback. Therefore, I encourage everyone to seek out and join an HTMA in your state or region and to take advantage of the chance to connect with others in HTM, learn new things, and find opportunities for partnerships, education, and/or employment.
As an added benefit, it’s a way to connect with others and find opportunities that are close to home. I want to thank the folks at HTMA-OH for giving me a great introduction to HTMAs and making me realize the benefits that HTMAs offer.
