The Pittsburgh 2012 Annual Biomedical Conference, sponsored by MEDRAD Service and Penn State Biomedical Engineering Technology takes place May 16. Now in its second year, the conference, held at Penn State New Kensington, brings together biomedical professionals and students and covers topics like equipment, types of imaging, surgical areas and career planning for Biomedical Engineering Technology majors.
“The Pittsburgh annual conference came about from an idea I had several years ago to offer educational programs to local biomeds in the Pittsburgh area. Many of these individuals are graduates of the BET program, and we want to keep them connected to the program and campus,” said Myron Hartman. Hartman is program coordinator and instructor for the Biomedical Engineering Technology program at Penn State New Kensington.
Hartman said that one of his colleagues, part-time faculty member in the BET program, Ted Lucidi, who also works at MEDRAD, liked the idea of holding such a conference and took it back to the company.
“Personnel at MEDRAD loved the idea so we began planning,” Hartman said. “Last year was the first year, and we hoped for 20 to attend and got 50.”
Hartman’s goal this year is for the conference to attract 75 attendees and as of last week, he said, 60 had signed up. The conference is free to all participants. Sponsor MEDRAD is providing for breakfast and lunch and is also bringing in a speaker. The program includes different tracts for different types of professionals, one for supervisors, managers and directors and two for biomedical technicians. Students from Penn State New Kensington’s BET program are also encouraged to attend.
“It gives them a great a opportunity to network with working biomeds and attend educational programs,” Hartman said.
Among topics covered are radiology, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and dye injectors. Presentations related to surgical areas include surgical supply tracking, pulse oximeter performance evaluations and anesthetic vaporizer maintenance.
Another feature of this year’s program is a mini-trade show. Twelve vendors will participate, at no cost. They are asked to make a donation to the campus’ BET shop improvement project, which will help procure new equipment and tools.
For more information on the BET conference, visit www.pittsbiomedconference.com.