The Virginia Biomedical Association held its annual meeting recently in Williamsburg. The gathering of about 100 biomedical technicians and managers also enjoyed significant vendor participation and presentations by keynote luminaries in the field.

"The Virginia Biomedical Association has been around 16 years. Our mission is to provide education to our members and we do that typically through the annual meeting where we provide a course curriculum that is interesting and very cost-competitive for the technicians to attend," said Al Strickler, a member of the board of directors for the association. (His day job is owner of a medical equipment and supply company.)


Ongoing training is critical in this technical and demanding field. While certification is officially bestowed by the OEMs, training through the association's certificate classes can prove an important step.

"Everybody is looking for certification," Strickler said. "If you can go to a meeting in Williamsburg for two days and get certified for $120, that is more cost-effective than going to Florida and spending a week. If the manufacturers feel like the folks in that class have done everything required, then they will provide those attendees certification."



In addition to the education draw and the vendor and networking opportunities, speakers at the meeting included AAMI President Mary Logan, JD, CAE and Dr. Randolph T. Barker of Virginia Commonwealth University.

Visit the association's website for details about the organization, the event, the field of biomedical engineering, and future activities. A helpful directory of biomedical associations is among the many resources on their website at www.vabiomed.org

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