This issue marks my first anniversary as editor of 24x7,
and, as the saying goes, time has sure flown. When I first began my tenure here, I did not
even know there were such people as biomedical equipment technicians and clinical
engineers. It is thanks to our readers that I have learned as much as I have (and I still
have much more to learn).
Although the conferences and symposia have been wonderful resources, all of you writing
to me with suggestions, answering questions, and giving me straightforward advice about
how to make this publication best meet your needs has probably been the most helpful. I am
grateful, and I hope you will continue to communicate with me.
Promoting communication is also the goal of regional and state biomed societies, and
the Biomedical Associations of Wisconsin (BAW) is honoring the biomed who began the
association by naming a special award after him. Jim Kipp started at the Marshfield, Wis,
clinic in 1969 and introduced a new specialtybiomedical electronicsto that
facility. He had had a career in electronics and, with the help of clinic physicians,
learned how to apply his background to the medical environment. He designed many
bioelectronic devicesprofusion pumps and nerve stimulators among themthat are
now commonly manufactured. Kipp also was asked to help guide a technical college in its
curriculum development.
In a continuing effort to promote excellence and camaraderie, Kipp established the
Biomedical Electronics Technicians Association, one of five regional organizations
that constitute BAW, and sat on the board of directors of BAW.
The Jim Kipp Memorial Award is presented to a BAW member who has put forth
extraordinary effort to further advance the biomedical field through education,
camaraderie, or promotion of the field. The award will be presented at the BAW annual
meeting held October 68 in Milwaukee.
BAW is not alone in providing opportunities for biomeds to gather and learn and
schmooze. The Virginia Biomedical Association (VBA) is holding its annual meeting
September 1517 in Charlottesville, Va. The theme is A Vision for the
Future, and VBA has plans for exciting educational sessions that focus on six key
tracks and service schools from a variety of manufacturers. The sessions all address
issues of particular concern to technology managers, BMETs, and clinical engineers.
We encourage you to use all means available to communicate with your fellow
biomedsbe it letters and articles for 24x7, attending local biomed society
meetings, or participating in the growth of Medical Equipment Technicians
Association (META), the new national association for biomeds. I hope to hear from you
soon.

mbenjamin@medpubs.com