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Healthmark Education


SPEAKERS

To request a speaker for your event, please click here to fill out an educational request form.

Stephen Kovach, B.S.

Stephen M. Kovach is the Director of Education at Healthmark Industries located in Fraser Michigan. He has been in the Hospital field for over 37 years. He started his career as a sterilization orderly in 1975. Stephen has a BS from Central Michigan University, with a Major in Biology & History. Stephen is active both on the state and national levels of various organizations having held many positions. Stephen was the Educational chair for AORN Specialty Assembly for SP/MM (2006-2010) this was a volunteer position. He is a voting member on various AAMI committees. He also has been an instructor at the Community College level and published many articles varying in subject matter from perfusion to the importance of cleaning surgical instruments. Stephen has a personal web site where you can read many of his articles; www.cpdguy.net. He has also authored chapters in both the IAHCSMM 7th Technical manual and the Management manual. He has received recognition in both his personal and business profession. Stephen recently received the IAHCSMM Award of Honor for his dedication to improving the role Central Service plays in the hospital. He also was named by Hospital Purchasing News in 2007 as one of the 30 most influential people within the field of Central Service. Stephen is very proud to say he has “WORKED IN CENTRAL SERVICE".

Mary Ann Drosnock, MS, CIC, CFER, RM (NRCM)

Mary Ann Drosnock is now Manager of Clinical Education specializing in GI endoscopy for Healthmark Industries. In 1999 Mary Ann received a B.S. in Biology from Albright College in Reading, PA, and in 2006 she received a Master of Science degree in Medical Device & Pharmaceutical Quality Assurance and Regulatory Affairs from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA. She has also obtained certifications in both Drug Development and Pharmaceutical Science from Temple University. In 2011, she received her certification in Infection Control through APIC and the Certification Board of Infection Control (CBIC). In 2012, Mary Ann received her certification as a Flexible Endoscope Reprocessor (CFER) through the Certification Board of Sterile Processing (CBSPD). Additionally, as of 2013 she attained the status of Nationally Certified Registered Microbiologist (RM [NCRM]) through the American Society for Microbiology (ASM). Early in her career, Mary Ann worked for 9 years in the pharmaceutical industry in a supervisory capacity as a microbiologist in both quality control and research and development. Immediately following this role, she moved on to be an adjunct professor of Microbiology at a local college. Previous to her position at Healthmark Industries, Mary Ann had responsibility for management of the Infection Control Program and Device Reprocessing Functions for Olympus America, including Canada and Latin America. In this role, she had responsibility for the development of position statements and policies regarding device compatibility, and health and safety information related to device utilization and reprocessing.

Cheron Rojo, AA, CRCST, CIS, CER, CHL

Cheron Rojo is a CRCST (Certified Registered Central Service Technician), CIS (Certified Instrument Specialist), (CER) Certified Endoscope Reprocesser), and a CHL (Certified Healthcare Leader). He served on the PDRC (Professional Development Resource Committee) for IAHCSMM, as well as the Education Director for the CCSA (California Central Service Association). Mr. Rojo has 26 years in the Sterile Processing arena as a has a Sterile Processing Technician, SPD Educator, an Instrument Coordinator, and a Surgical Technologist in the Surgical realm. He graduated in 2008, with highest honors from Fresno City College with an Associates of Arts in Speech Communication specializing in public speaking and team dynamics. He is currently on the AAMI working groups for ST79, ST58, and ST91. Mr. Rojo currently teaches the CRCST course (IAHCMM 8th Edition) for new and existing Sterile Processing technicians. Mr. Rojo also speaks to local colleges and seminars across the country for numerous organizations like; APIC, AAMA (the American Association of Medical Assistants, AORN, Association of Operating Room Nurses, and IAHCSMM with topics relating to the Periop arena, specializing in effective communication, and the struggles of Sterile Processing today. He is a great advocate for nurturing education throughout the United States.

Ray Taurasi, MBA, CRCST, CHL, ACE, FCS

Ray Taurasi's healthcare career spans over three decades as an Administrator, Educator, Technologist and Consultant. Ray is a past president of IAHCSMM and was a long standing Advanced Member of ASHCSP. Ray has served on and contributed to many national committees, and task forces with a myriad of professional organizations, and regulatory entities. He has been an advisor and consultant to many manufacturers, corporations and prestigious healthcare networks. Ray has been a faculty member of numerous colleges teaching in the divisions of business administration and health sciences. He has authored several articles and textbook chapters and has been a featured speaker on the international scene. For the past ten years he has authored a monthly column in HPN entitled CS Solutions. He has been very involved in community health affairs and served two terms as an elected political official on the Board of Health in the metropolitan Boston area. He served as the board’s vice chairman for 6 years. Ray is an active member and contributor to many professional associations and regulatory entities including IAHCSMM, AORN, AAMI, AHA and SGNA. In addition to his professional credentials in the field of Central Service Technology and Education, he holds a BS degree in management and counseling and a Masters degree in Business Administration. His dedication to the healthcare field and community service has won him international recognition and several prestigious awards including HPN’s selection as one of the “Most Influential People in Healthcare Sterile Processing” over the last 30 years and a Mayoral proclamation of “Ray Taurasi Day” in the City of Boston

Kaumudi Kulkarni, M.S.

Kaumudi Kulkarni is the Business Development Microbiologist and Manager of the Research and Development Lab at Healthmark Ind. She has her M.S. degree from the University of Georgia, in Microbial Cellular and Molecular Biology and an M.S. degree from India in Microbial Genetics. She is a voting member at AAMI and ASTM and is also involved in the worldwide ISO round robin protocols that impact cleaning of medical devices. Kaumudi works with sterile processing professionals, medical device manufacturers, along with the FDA and other professional groups and organizations. She is also actively involved in developing products that help improve patient care outcomes.

Diane Gosser, BS, CRCST

Diane Gosser is currently the Director of National Accounts at Healthmark Industries. A veteran in the field of medical sales and marketing, Diane has worked within large corporations, privately held companies and start-up businesses. She has previously held positions in sales and marketing, management and corporate training. Diane’s area of expertise is medical device reprocessing. She is a CRSCT and a member of IAHCSMM, where she chaired their vendor advisory board for many years. Also, a past working group member of the Association for Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. Diane is a member of ANAE. Diane has a Bachelor of Science from Missouri State University and attended Webster University School of Business.

Fred Alston

Fred has 20+ years of experience working with healthcare facilities throughout the U.S. troubleshooting instrument reprocessing issues and providing consultative assistance in implementing national standards/guidelines to improve patient outcomes. Starting as a Biomedical Equipment Technician, Fred joined Getinge USA and spent 18+ years providing CSSD support as a Senior Service Technician, Service Branch Manager, Consumables Specialist and as a Capital Equipment Account Manager. More recently, Fred was a Strategic Accounts Manager with Crosstex/SPS Medical where he continued his support of best practices as well as performing courtesy audits of Central Sterile, Endoscopy and ASC departments. As a Healthmark Regional Clinical Support Manager, he continues to support dedicated healthcare departments comply with ever changing standards, recommendations and guidelines and IFU’s. A Certified Sterile Processing Department Technician, Fred also participates in several AAMI instrument reprocessing working groups where he contributes in the process of writing and refining national standards.