Healthcare Facilities Management Society of New Jersey, Inc.
Serving Healthcare Since 1949
*** General Membership Meeting***
Minutes to the Meeting of
January 19, 2006
President John DiGirolomo, CHFM, called the meeting to order on Thursday January 19, 2006, at the Galloping Hill Inn, Union, New Jersey, commencing at 6:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. There was a moment of silence observed for the men and women who are serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other places both near and far. Self-introductions were made.
TOPICS OF DISCUSSION
EDUCATIONAL SESSION TOPIC
Our presenter for this eveningÕs education session is Senior Risk Consultant Tom Battles of Chubb Insurance. He is also a licensed boiler inspector in the State of New Jersey. His topic tonight will be, ÒInspectorÕs Role to Help Protect Life and PropertyÓ; ASME Code Section VII, recommended guidelines for the care of power boilers. There was an extensive handout for each guest tonight relative to Mr. BattlesÕ presentation.
DINNER BREAK AT 7:25 P.M.
PRESIDENTÕS OPENING REMARKS
President, John DiGirolomo, CHFM, presented a plan for committee reports. He asked that a synopsis of a report be given in an effort to minimize the length of the meeting. A detailed and extended report should be submitted to the Secretary via e-mail.
He also urged all members to please assist with committee tasks. Please pick a committee which best suits your skills. The names of the Committee Chairpersons can be found on our website and in the Ad Journal.
SECRETARYÕS REPORT
Rick Ciullo requested that all Committee Chairs please submit their reports to him electronically at rdciullo@ashland.com .
TREASURERÕS REPORT
Treasurer Robert Thompson reports that we are solvent. All dues are required to be submitted no later than March 16, 2006. When dues are paid, please be sure to update your contact information. The budget for HMFSNJ will be presented to the membership our next meeting
MEMBERSHIP
A request was made for members to make every attempt to solicit for new members. There were four new candidates for membership. They are:
1. Edward Fay ...................É....Regular member
2. Gary Giovinazzo....................Regular member
3. Sandra Fernadez.................... Regular member
4. James Tencza.........................Regular member (certificate due)
Bill Anderson, CHFM FASHE moved to accept these candidates. The motion was seconded by Oscar Gonzalez, CHFM and the members unanimously approved.
We may be accepting new Vendor members in March of 2006.
AD JOURNAL
Margaret Nesby advised that the 2006 Ad Journal is complete and will be distributed at the Thursday, February 16, 2006, meeting. If there are any questions relative to the Ad Journal, please contact Margaret at margaretnesby@truevalue.net .
EDUCATION AND EVENTS CALENDAR
Ben DiFranco, CHFM requested that all members be more involved and that he would
like input from members as far as the educational topics for future meetings is concerned. It should be noted that one of our missions is to educate engineers in the healthcare field.
ADVOCACY
Our Advocacy Chairman, Robert Roop, P.E., reports that ASHE is seeking to form committees to work on NFPA 99, ÒThe Healthcare Facilities CodeÓ. Many of the chapter members are involved with this task. John DiGirolomo, CHFM is seeking additional volunteers to join the ranks of the committee.
ASHE
Nothing to report at this time; Region 2 representative was not in attendance at this meeting.
LEVELS OF AFFILIATION
The Secretary is responsible for the Levels of Affiliation and at this time he is requesting assistance from members. Please contact Ben DiFranco, CHFM at Englewood Hospital or Rich Ciullo.
SAFETY
EAB submitted a safety-training schedule for the year for your use if you so desire. See handout attached.
NEWSLETTER
Mary Padgett will Chair the Newsletter Committee. Mary is hoping for input from everyone with article related items and ideas for the Newsletter. She is seeking to make it more personal and ÒfamilyÓ oriented.
EAB
James Corueil advised that Governor Corzine is very interested in healthcare for children and stem cell research. All members should take a moment to update themselves on State healthcare business by going to the StateÕs website. (www.nj.gov)
SOCIAL JUSTICE
Frank Keller spoke about HMFSNJ membersÕ support for the Bridges Runs in 2005. Donations of used clothing are welcome at any time to be donated. Frank read a letter he received from Toys-For-Tots having to do with HFMSNJ membersÕ support.
GOLF OUTING
Roger Ennis advised that the Golf Outing would be held on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 at the Fox Hollow Country Club. John DiGirolomo, CHFM asked that all members to support this fundraiser.
WEBSITE
Suggestions were made by Oscar Gonzalez, CHFM to make the website more Òuser friendlyÓ. One area of discussion was to remove password requirements on most areas of the site. It was also mentioned that members should change their password. Oscar Gonzalez, CHFM made mention that committee Chairpersons are indicated on the website.
DOH UPDATES
Mike DePadova, CHFM advised that at present the DOH is licensing sleep centers.
JCAHO UPDATES
John DiGirolomo, CHFM, indicated that there has never been such a considerable rise in Life Safety Code findings as there has been during the past year. There has been an increase in PDA – Preliminary Denial of Accreditation and in Conditional Accreditation due to the new Life Safety Code Surveyors. Additionally, John informed the membership that it would be mandatory to post the SOC on the Healthcare organizationÕs JCAHO extranet site in 2007. Organizations may begin in 2006 in order to gain familiarity with the process.
OLD BUSINESS
There was no old business to report.
NEW BUSINESS
Bill Anderson, CHFM FASHE mentioned Engineer of the Year designations. The Engineer of the Year should be someone who devotes considerable amounts of time and effort to advance the healthcare engineering profession. Please begin to think about whom you might nominate for this award.
MEETING ADJOURNED AT 9:15 P.M.