ASHES Conference Begins; National Experts Speak and Organizational Milestones Celebrated

CHICAGO -- The American Society for Healthcare Environmental Services

(ASHES) 2004 Conference and Technical Exhibition kicked off this past weekend in Orlando, Fla.  During the opening ceremony, ASHES president Thomas "Tony" Fitzgerald, CHESP, chief of  environmental management service at the Veterans Affairs Palo Alto Health System, announced  several significant milestones for the ASHES conference:

-- The 2004 conference is the largest in ASHES history, and is the largest conference and exhibition  dedicated specifically and only for healthcare environmental services, textile care, waste management and related healthcare disciplines.

-- The ASHES technical exhibition is sold out, with 117 booths showcasing the newest in technology and services for the healthcare environmental services profession.

-- Nearly 170 participants are pre-registered to take the Certified Healthcare Environmental Service Professional certification examination.

-- For the first time, two professionally-facilitated focus groups of attendees will discuss emerging trends and needs of environmental services professionals.

The ASHES conference features several prominent speakers and national experts in the healthcare, environmental services and management fields, including:

-- Pat Williams, senior vice president and co-founder of the NBA's Orlando Magic. Author of Ahead  of the Game, How to Be like Mike, The Magic of Teamwork and Go for the Magic. His creativity inspired the Magic's extraordinary success in their very first NBA season. 

-- Steven Rowell, healthcare consultant who has worked with more than 300 healthcare and long-term care facilities, including Marriott International, The Walt Disney World Co. and Crothall Services Group.  He combines performance coaching with an environmental services background.

-- Brian G. Costello, SPHR, director of human resources operations at Thomas Jefferson University is a recognized expert on customer service and human resources and operations in diverse cultural environments. He will address humor in the workplace,

-- Mary Brachman, RN, MS, CIC, provides consultation for diverse care settings and assists clients in evaluating their infection control programs and in identifying strategies to implement programs that reduce infection risks and add value. 

Attendees have the opportunity to attend 40-plus educational sessions and participate in several roundtable discussions on important topics such as JCAHO standards, infection control, floor care, chemicals and supplies, labor/union issues and managing multiple departments.

For more information, go to www.ashes.org.

Source: ASHES