By John Wallace
Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) pioneer Jim Bowles recently retired after more than 40 years in the industry. Technically, he wasn’t in HTM all of those years because “HTM” did not exist when he embarked on his career.
Bowles retired as the director of operations excellence, TRIMEDX. He said that he was responsible for the entire East Coast and Cayman Islands. The Trailblazer Award, for being a leader and trail blazer within TRIMEDX and the industry, is among his accolades. It is the most prestigious award at TRIMEDX.
His career began on September 4, 1979, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida as an electrician because there was no such thing as a biomed. In 1984, Bowles’ title changed to electronics technician. It was not until 1987 that the hospital updated his title to biomedical engineering. Bowles became a manager around 1994.
“TRIMEDX came on board in 2001 and I became a manager with them, then became a director for the area, then strategic operations director in 2010,” Bowles recalled.
In late 2016, TRIMEDX created its continuous improvement group and asked the strategic business directors to work in that area to help develop and accelerate change within the organization.
Bowles was already actively involved in developing the industry as a member of the Florida Biomedical Society. He attended his first FBS meeting in 1997 and remained active up until his retirement last year. His FBS involvement included two terms as president. He also served as the symposium education coordinator for over 20 years.
All told, Bowles holds more than 40 years of biomed experience including 24 years with FBS. He has witnessed a lot of advancements during his long career.
“I’ve seen a lot of changes. I remember working on the old bovie spark gap,” Bowles said. “We called it ‘the big green box’.”
He is thankful for his long career. He said the support he received from others had a lot to do with his success.
“The way I’ve always said it is that in order for you to be successful you have to create relationships and partnerships with people who can lead you in the right direction,” Bowles said.
He said that Rick Lowe was a key person in his career. He gives Lowe credit for foreseeing the future of Sacred Heart and “giving me an opportunity to lead it.”
He said that Greg Ranger (who was the president and founder of TRIMEDX) had the vision of providing service for Ascension as an independent service provider and “gave me the opportunity to be the first site for TRIMEDX.”
“I also give credit to Robert Moorey for teaching me patience and understanding,” Bowles added.
Robert L. Moorey, FACHE, is the senior vice president of east operations at TRIMEDX. He quickly responded to a request for information about Bowles.
“By virtue of his early entry into the industry, and his many years of excellence in the industry, he should be considered as one of the founding fathers of the industry,” Moorey said. “But it is his advocacy and passion for the industry that places him on the Mt. Rushmore of CE/HTM. He has been an active leader of the Florida Biomedical Society, helping to create one of the country’s premier CE/HTM associations. His mentorship of new CE/HTM leaders has helped mold and shape a generation of leadership. His coaching and guidance have helped to set benchmarks of excellence for the CE/HTM industry.”
Longtime FBS member and officer Fred McMurtrie Jr. also praised Bowles.
“First, let me say that Jim is very dedicated to his profession and to our professional group as a whole. I have shared many years on the Florida Biomedical Society and have grown to admire his leadership and passion,” McMurtrie said. “He has shaped our educational offerings in the society. With Trimedx, he has always worked to ensure quality biomedical services by providing his organization with the tools to succeed. He is the same way with our society! Jim is and remains dedicated to our profession.”
Moorey said Bowles is a unique individual that means a lot to many different people within HTM.
“Jim is the mayor of CE/HTM. He is an affable and gregarious individual who is easy to like. He spends considerable time getting to know people: what they like, their career aspirations, their strengths and needs,” Moorey said. “He then invests in people to help them be the best version of themselves. He is a giving person. He is driven by a desire to see people and the industry be its best.”
“What separates Jim from others is his passion for CE/HTM and his deep care for people,” he added.
Moorey applauded efforts to recognize a colleague on an amazing career.
“I am glad to see Jim get the recognition he deserves,” Moorey said. “For those of us who know him best, we know how indebted we are to him. We know how our lives are richer and fuller because of Jim’s involvement in our lives. I have a hard time seeing how CE/HTM could have come this far without the contributions of Jim Bowles. He has left a legacy worthy of remembrance and imitation.”
Bowles is grateful for the support he received from others, especially his family.
“I want to be sure that I recognize my family because without the support of my family I never would have been as successful as I was. They are the ones who sacrificed me being away and mentoring others,” Bowles said.
He recalled times when his wife was working out of town, and he had a call come in from the hospital. He said he would take his two daughters to the biomed shop with him so he could repair a device.
When asked about his plans for the future, Bowles said he and his wife plan to set out in their new Winnebago.
“We are travelling and doing what it is that we want to do,” he said.
It is a well-deserved journey.
