HELLO ALL VSHE MEMBERS!

Since our last newsletter, VSHE members have been busy. We attended the annual ASHE meeting, met to discuss workforce development, and have been hard at work planning events in October and next May 2018.

 First, I would like to say that membership is up and we are closing in on our first 300^th member. To celebrate this momentous occasion, we will send out a $300 gift card to the person who is #300.

Second, VSHE is hosting a one-day safety seminar in Fredericksburg on October 25. Unlike the May conference, which is mainly about compliance, this seminar is about safety and workforce development. Please go to vshe.org to save your spot. Seating is limited.

Next, the planning for the May conference is well under way. This year the conference will be moving to the Hotel Roanoke. This move gives us a slightly bigger venue to cover all of the vendor requests for booths. We will still have education sessions, national speakers, and CEU’s. Calls for abstracts will be out soon and registration will open shortly after New Year’s.

Lastly, VSHE has started relationships with SkillsUSA, AGC, the Department of Education, and Tradecrews.com. We are

Joe Auricchio receiving the ASHE Platinum Affiliation Award

working together to raise awareness and to help lessen the burden on the issue of ‘where does our future workforce come from’? 

Becoming a better organization does not happen because one person does a lot. It happens because a lot of people do a little.If you have any ideas or want to get involved, reach out to a Board member to see how to get involved. We hope that you will take advantage of the many benefits that come with your membership, and that you use the Virginia Society of Healthcare Engineers as a forum for the exchange of innovative ideas, practical solutions to problems, and as a resource for current developments in the healthcare industry.

​~Joe Auricchio BS, CHFM
VSHE President 2017-2018

As the fall season approaches, it reminds us of the many changes going on in our lives and our profession.  Just a few items to address this quarter:

*  A big thank you to Shay Rankhorn, who completes his second term as the ASHE Region 3 Board Member.  Shay did a great job representing Virginia and the other states that are in Region 3.  VSHE has really appreciated his hard work and endeavors.  Shay will be end his term in December 2017.

• *  VSHE would like to congratulate Michael Roberts, from North Carolina, who will be the 2018-2020 ASHE Region 3 Board Member.  All of VSHE looks forward to getting to know Michael in the future.

*  Another change that has received a lot of attention is George Mills. He will be leaving The Joint Commission and has been hired by JLL.  VSHE sends well wishes to George, as he has been a great support to us for many years. 

Many changes concerning standards, guidelines and compliance will continue to dominate our professional careers.  When information is made available, VSHE will provide updates.  If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me or anyone on the VSHE Board.

~ Rick Sanders
 VSHE Immediate Past President

Fall 1-day VSHE Safety Seminar October 25 in Fredericksburg, VA!

As chairperson of the 2017 -2018 VSHE Conferences, I would like to share our excitement in offering the first Fall 1-day VSHE Safety Seminar focusing on Safety in Healthcare Environments on October 25 in Fredericksburg, VA.

Please join us for this supplemental 1-day seminar, requested by you!! the participants at the spring 2017 Annual Conference! We heard you, and are now making this information-session a reality by the VSHE board of directors in response. VSHE wants to keep our healthcare members, designers, contractors and workforce of tomorrow current of regulatory requirements, and to be continuously strengthening of our construction community.

This October 25 Seminar will focus on numerous safety considerations both during design as well as construction.
It will cover:

• Safety on projects from the ground up with our workforce actually performing the renovations and their importance to our projects today as well as tomorrow
• OSHA top 10 jobsite issues
• Safety for construction managers tasked with planning, coordinating/ phasing and executing the work within an active healthcare environment
• Resolving healthcare facilities challenges
• More!

In conjunction with the execution of the work by construction forces, is the design side of the project, with numerous in-depth planning and construction administration considerations. These issues and challenges will be discussed in detail by local seasoned healthcare design professionals: Ken Wash, PE of Dunlap & Partners; Chris Chapman of ECS and board certified Healthcare Architect; Belinda Currin of Currin Design Consulting.

Please go onto our website to sign up for the October 25th Seminar. And THANK YOU to our sponsors!!

​ Call for Abstracts for May 2018 Conference!!
If you have a topic or subject that you would like to present during the VSHE Annual Conference​ in May 2018, please feel free to respond to our Call for Abstracts starting November 1, 2018. Your topic need only be relevant to the physical environment of health care facilities. Look for email announcements November 1. Call me, Belinda Currin 804.724.0810, with questions, or visit our website HERE.

The VSHE Membership continues to grow in numbers across all of our districts. What is it that attracts our members and brings added value to their career and professional development? Whenever I ask someone why they joined our organization they usually respond with an answer that pivots on one of the following points:
1. Education- Our members like the fact we provide them with educational programs to gain industry knowledge and gain CEU’s throughout the year.
2. Professional Networking- The peer to peer relationships provide our members with the opportunity to share knowledge and experience.
3.  Advocacy- Our members want, and need, to know the latest trends and changes associated with regulatory standards and best practices.
Take a few moments to introduce a friend or colleague to VSHE and encourage them to get involved so they don’t miss out on the value and benefit of being a VSHE Member.

Regards!
~ Jerry Baker
VSHE Membership Chair
​

USP 797/800 Clean Room Compliance and the Challenges Associated with Compliance
Purpose:  Discussion of the Operational Challenges that come with staying in compliance with USP 797 and to provide an overview of USP 800 requirements.

Stay tuned for our future meetings.

Thanks,
~Marty Misicko
VSHE Blue Ridge District 2017-2018 Chair

Hampton Roads and Central Districts held a Joint Social on Tuesday October 10 in Williamsburg!

 Please see the attached images for a quick snapshot of our joint event at CRAFT 31 in Williamsburg October 10 from 6-8 PM! It was a HUGE success…and we’re already being asked “When is the next event in Williamsburg?”

A final headcount was over 50 attendees with John Rimbey (Central District Membership Chair) making a few new connections for memberships and annual sponsorships! Aside from the October humidity last night, the venue was great and the service was wonderful. Thank you to John, Lindsay and everyone who helped to make this happen.

I just wanted to share a few highlights from the event with the photos and to say a huge thank you to all who came last night and supported VSHE!

A special thanks to our evening’s SPONSORS:

•  Johnson Controls, Inc.
• SRC, Inc.
• Warwick Mechanical Group
• ECS

~Bob Appleby CHFM, CHC, CHSP
Central District Chair

~ Ron Blackburn
VSHE Hampton Roads District Chair
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Greetings, Everyone!
Hoping you are having a safe and happy Fall so far!

1.  Please don’t forget to visit our website and a new feature under "Resources"--Job Postings. Please send any job postings that you would like published--hospital positions, consultants, vendors! It's free. We will keep the position posted for 6 months, or until you want it removed.

2.  Also, we are always looking for feedback on how we can better promote VSHE through our website. If you have any feedback that you would like to share please email me at brandon.galbreath@rivhs.com.

~Brandon Galbreath
VSHE IT Chair

National Health Care Facilities & Engineering Week

Take the time to recognize your staff for all they do to optimize the health care physical environment during National Health Care Facilities & Engineering Week, October 22-28, 2017.

You and your staff are important members of your health care team – your department keeps your facility operational, safe, and efficient. Because of all you do, there is power; running water; and a clean, comfortable, and safe healing environment for all who walk through your doors. What you may think is ordinary is truly extraordinary. Without you and your staff’s efforts, the doors of your facility would not be open.

More than 3,200 professionals gather on-site each year to get vital information on health care compliance, codes and standards updates, emerging trends, and best practices for efficiency, sustainability, emergency preparedness, and other pressing topics in the field. Attend the ASHE Annual Conference and Technical Exhibition to connect with colleagues in the field and "reach new heights" in your role as a health care facility management professional.taking.
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We strongly recommend that you consider attending the
55th ASHE Annual Conference and Technical Exhibition
taking place in Seattle, July 15-18, 2018.

The PDC Summit brings together senior leaders working in all disciplines of health care planning, design, and construction to learn, network, and discover ways to create value for the health care built environment. Attend the PDC Summit to connect with colleagues in the field and learn innovative strategies for better navigating the future of health care.