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 specialty—biomedical electronics—to 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 devices—profusion pumps and nerve stimulators among them—that 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 Technician’s 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 6–8 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 15–17 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 biomeds—be it letters and articles for 24x7, attending local biomed society meetings, or participating in the growth of Medical Equipment Technician’s Association (META), the new national association for biomeds. I hope to hear from you soon.

mbenjamin@medpubs.com