Women in Biomed Message Applauded, Criticized
I just read Glen Wolfe’s column [“The Biomed Profession Needs a Woman’s Touch,” April 2005], and as usual, it was great. I hope that it will drive more females into biomed tech positions. His article was certainly good at pointing out the many reasons that this is a good fit.

—Teresa Maher, CSS
Vice President
Electronics Technicians Association International

In reading Mr Wolfe’s analysis of women in biomed, I thought that I must have stumbled onto the April Fools’ Day joke part of the issue or had been reprogrammed into an earlier time.

His repetition of stereotypes would be laughable, if it were not so depressing. Women are diligent in paperwork because of their historical role as secretaries?
For centuries, women have been caregivers?
Filing and developed telephone skills are also very important?
Strength is no longer important, so women can now do the job?
Patients don’t mind being exposed in front of women?

While it is probable that Mr Wolfe had good intentions, the categorization of group attributes by pop-culture stereotypes, even if given a positive spin, is not acceptable. Suitability for a job must be judged on individual merit, not by membership in a biological group.

—William A. Hyman
Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering
Texas A&M University, College Station

Glen Wolfe responds:
I would like to thank all the 24x7 readers who called and emailed about the April soapbox article. The overwhelming response has been positive and supportive of women in the biomedical field. I did, however, receive unexpected reactions from a couple of readers who did not understand the article’s intent.

I want to (hopefully) clarify my point. The general idea is that there are not enough women in the biomedical field. Old stereotypes may be one reason. In the column, I addressed the most common stereotypes and portrayed them as positively perceived attributes. For those employers who may still think that “clerical skills” are a female attribute, I am merely pointing out that these skills are necessary in biomed.

Managers who believe that women are more “caring and understanding” should view this trait as positive for customer service. Furthermore, good communication skills also add to customer service.

No one disputed that women make good technicians or that computer skills are important. It was pointed out to me that mentioning that equipment being smaller and lighter today makes the job easier for women than in the past sounds like a sexist view. I apologize if this statement offended anyone; the smaller, lighter, modern equipment makes all of our jobs easier, not just women’s.

I had hoped that by addressing these stereotypes head on, the “old school” technicians, managers, and directors out there would realize that women have a lot to offer this profession. I also hoped that young women who are running into this attitude would be able to combat it by turning these generalizations into attributes that are valued by the biomedical electronics profession.

I would like to see as many bright young minds as possible pursue biomedical technology as a profession. I do not think that enough women consider this field, and I would like to encourage them to consider a career in the rewarding profession of biomedical technology.

—Glen Wolfe, CBET, CET
Manager, Biomedical Engineering
LaGrange Hospital, LaGrange, Ill

CTI Training Online
I think you have a great magazine. Keep up the good work. [In the February 2005 issue], there was a short article on CTI offering online biomed courses. Do you have a Web site or phone number so that I can get in touch with someone there?

—Steve Davailus
Aramark BMET
Kailua, Hawaii

Editor’s note: The Web site for CTI is www.ctitechnical.com.

Reader Appreciation
I have been loving the magazine lately. Writers are all high quality. Topics relevant. Thanks. Great work! Pass it on.

—Robert Resnicoff, CBET
Union Memorial Hospital
Baltimore