Welcome to an exciting new year, so appropriately titled, “2020-1”! This year, the second year of the second decade in the 21st century, promises to be even better than last! I personally, am overly optimistic about all of the wonderful things that lie ahead for us all in the months to come.
As we reflect on the past year (I dare not speak its name), which we will now and forever refer to as “The Year That We Don’t Talk About Anymore,” I try to look on the bright side of things and think of some good things that were born from madness: The U.S. sent astronauts to space in a U.S.-made SpaceX rocket, and they returned home safely. Carbon emissions were reduced nationwide due to rolling lockdowns and the death of the daily commute. Animal shelters held the lowest numbers of pets in years due to our homebound state and the need for cuddly companionship. And the most important thing, we all learned about ourselves, how far we can be pushed and in turn, accomplish, and how much our families and friends truly mean to us.
OK, enough of that, back to 2021. I am unwaveringly grateful to be your elected NEHES President this year! Since I joined NEHES in 2010, I have been amazed by the knowledge, talent, and sense of community that our active and supporting members bring to this organization. We’ve all benefited as members of this incredible group, be it personally or professionally. The events, educational sessions and networking opportunities we share together have made us better people and better stewards of the healthcare engineering industry. As many of you have shared with me, I too am exceedingly hopeful that we will soon get to see one another again, smile, shake hands and enjoy long-awaited conversations and jovial togetherness.
Because of my gratitude and appreciation for the education I have gleaned and for all of you that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and those I have yet to meet, I joined the Board of Directors to give back to this community. I have been a member of the Board for a number of years now, first as Maine Healthcare Engineers’ Society State Chapter Representative and then as NEHES Treasurer, President-Elect, and now President. As President, I vow to give my best and will work hard to make NEHES an even better place for us all. I truly hold dear all that NEHES is and stands for, and my aim is to continue in the footsteps of my predecessors by being present and available to you for anything you may need from me or this organization.
I wish you all the very best in the coming year. As I stated previously, please know that I take my role on this Board very seriously and that I am available to you should you wish to reach out. Thank you all for your participation and commitment to the New England Healthcare Engineer’s Society.
Cole Teague MBA, CHFM, CHC
NEHES 2021 President