There actually is an art to recognizing accomplishments that goes beyond a simple "good job" statement. During the AAMI 2007 Conference & Expo, June 16 to 18 in Boston, various activities will acknowledge the accomplishments of members of the organization and other professionals.

According to the association, the Dwight E. Harken, MD Memorial Lecture and Awards Luncheon will "honor those in the biomedical technology profession who have made outstanding contributions to the field of medical instrumentation." Honors such as the AAMI BMET of the Year Award, AAMI Clinical/Biomedical Engineering Achievement Award, and the AAMI Foundation Educational Advancement Award are some that will pay tribute to these professionals.

A special honor added this year goes to all medical technology professionals. A resolution approved by AAMI's Technology Management Council (TMC) proclaims June 16 to 23 National Biomedical/ Clinical Engineering Appreciation Week.

"State and local biomedical societies have been proclaiming 'biomed weeks' and similar recognitions in their communities for years," says Ray Laxton, TMC chair and executive director of client services with ARAMARK Healthcare. "This time, we're all coming together with a single voice to recognize all of those responsible for managing and maintaining medical technology equipment."

The proclamation states in part, "These professionals research, recommend, install, inspect, and repair medical devices and other complicated medical systems, as well as advise and train others concerning the safe and effective use of medical devices, thereby controlling health care costs and improving patient safety."

Recognizing the critical work performed by biomeds seems long past due. I have to admit that prior to my work as editor of 24x7, I didn't think about how equipment I relied on as a patient was maintained. Now that I think about it daily, I can't imagine that our communities don't more fully recognize this work.

In my August 2006 editor's note I wrote about leadership, that it is strongly related to change, and as the pace of change quickens, there is a greater need for effective leadership. I challenge clinical and biomedical engineering departments everywhere to be leaders of the profession and take this recognition outside your department and your facility to spread the word. It's a way to build community, foster goodwill for your facility, and promote the profession.

What happens to a patient on life support when the equipment malfunctions? Who rushes in at any hour to fix it? You know, now I do, isn't it time to let everyone else know?

Julie Kirst