Medical device processing is critically important to the safety of patients everywhere. This podcast from Healthmark Industries is about answering questions and sharing knowledge related to sterile processing, endoscopy, infection prevention, biomedical engineering, leadership, and products. Have a question you would like answered on the show? Send it to our email address asktheeducator@hmark.com.
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Ask The Educator
Medical device processing is critically important to the safety of patients everywhere
- Episodes
- 166
- Run
- 2020 – 2026
- Latest
- Oct 2026
About the show
Episodes
166 total · newest first
Press play on any episode and the show keeps running from there.
118. Implementing Standards on the Go: Insights from a Traveling Leader
Do you want to be a traveling sterile processing leader or even a permanent manager of your own department? Then this episode is for you! Leadership in sterile processing is an increasingly difficult job, but now imagine that you only have …
117. Launching a New HSPA Chapter: Insights and Tips from Leslie Kronstedt
Starting a new HSPA chapter in your area can seem daunting. How do you create a non-profit, open a bank account, or write bylaws? Leslie Kronstedt from the Western Wisconsin Sterile Processing Professionals chapter has the answers! In this …
116. The Critical Role of Documentation with Andy Mikos
In this episode, we dive into the essential training of sterile processing technicians, focusing on the vital skill of documentation and record-keeping. Join us as we speak with Andy Mikos, from Getinge, to better understand sterilization s…
115. Sterile Aware Awards An Interview with Charlie Webb
Adam Okada speaks with Charlie Webb about the Sterile Aware Awards for sterile processing and device packaging. Do you know a superstar tech, supervisor, or manager that deserves recognition? Tune in to learn how you can nominate a deservin…
114. The Critical Role of Borescopes in Sterile Processing with Cheron Rojo
In this episode of the Ask the Educator Podcast, we delve into the transformative advancements in sterile processing technology over the past two decades, with a particular focus on borescopes. These remarkable tools allow us to inspect ina…
The Dirty Side of Environmental Cleaning with Seth Hendee
Educated sterile processing professionals know that the environmental cleaning of their departments should be done to the same standards as an operating room surgical suite. But are they being treated that way? There’s a document that can h…
112. A Call to Action for ALL Sterile Processing Professionals
In the past, we discussed arthroscopic shavers and the progress (or lack thereof) we’ve made as an industry with compliance for cleaning and inspection. In this episode, we are putting the onus back on the YOU, the sterile processing profes…
111. Nominees for the HSPA Board of Directors - Part 2
As an HSPA member, what issues need to be prioritized? How can the Board of Directors help solve these issues? HSPA Board of Directors nominees, Angela Warner, Nicholas Day, and Stacey MacArthur join Adam Okada on the Ask the Educator Podca…
110. Nominees for the HSPA Board of Directors: Joseph Avila, Tim Hurtado, and Tori Ruiz
In this episode, we interview three distinguished nominees for the HSPA Board of Directors - Joseph Avila, Tim Hurtado, and Tori Ruiz. Join Kevin Anderson & Adam Okada as they uncover their unique perspectives on the industry and their …
109. Interview with Arlene Bush, HSPA Presidential Nominee
Join Kevin Anderson and Adam Okada as they interview Arlene Bush, a nominee for the HSPA Board of Directors presidency. Arlene shares her career background, passions, and commitment to serving HSPA members. Tune in for an insightful convers…
108. Arthroscopic Shavers – 2020 vs. 2024
One of the initial topics explored on the Ask the Educator Podcast was the complex issue of arthroscopic shavers and their cleaning and inspection procedures. Fast forward four years later, where do we stand? Have the essential enhancements…
Ep. 107 - Getting Involved in Sterile Processing Mission Trips: Interview with Sean Weir
In this episode of the Ask the Educator Podcast, we are joined by Sean Weir. Sean shares his passion for sterile processing and how he got involved in mission work. He is committed to helping others and has been involved in mission work for…
106. Ultrasonic Lumen Flushing: Is Yours Working?
We load our ultrasonic machines with laparoscopic and robotic instruments, and hopefully, we have the capability to attach them to our flushing mechanism. But how do you know if that flushing mechanism is working? Once the lid is closed, we…
105. How to Kill Microorganisms with Sterilization
Do you know how your sterilizer kills microorganisms? Or more importantly, do you know the mistakes that we make that could prevent them from being killed? Healthmark Industries Clinical Education Specialist, Malinda Elammari, illustrates h…
104. What is the Cost of a Sterile Processing Error?
In sterile processing, we know that mistakes can be costly. But without hard data (and a monetary value) these errors are often abstract and hard to quantify, thus making them fade into the background of our minds. Gregory Agoston, from Spe…
Reprocessing Ultrasound Probes & Understanding Percutaneous Procedures
Are you reprocessing ultrasound probes in your sterile processing or endoscopy department? If so, are you aware of the percutaneous procedures that may be being performed utilizing these probes? Dr. Daniel Lightfoot (Nanosonics) joins the p…
State Mandated Certification in Sterile Processing: A 20 Year Anniversary | PART 2
It’s been 20 years since New Jersey and later New York were able to have legislation passed for mandatory certification in Sterile Processing. In those 20 years, only 3 other states have been successful at getting this type of legislation o…
State Mandated Certification in Sterile Processing: A 20 Year Anniversary
It’s been 20 years since New Jersey and later New York were able to have legislation passed for mandatory certification in Sterile Processing. In those 20 years, only 3 other states have been successful at getting this type of legislation o…
Ask the Educator's 100th Episode!!
We are celebrating Healthmark's 100th Podcast Episode! Kevin, Adam, Stephen and Malinda discuss the purpose of this podcast, look back at old episodes and plans for future episodes! Shoutout to all our listeners!! We appreciate you and hope…
Sterile Processing Education Collaboration
Sterile processing managers and educators are often buried under day-to-day department tasks and solving unexpected problems. How can leaders find time for education? Michael Matthews (Agiliti) joins us to discuss resources SPD leaders can …
AI and Automation Inspection for Sterile Processing & Endoscopy
How ready is your department for the revolutionary changes that are coming with Artificial Intelligence (AI)? In this podcast episode, we’ll talk with the father of the modern borescope, Jahan Azizi, about how automation and AI are going to…
Learning to Lead SPD as an OR Nurse: Interview with Aimee Space
International guest, Aimee Space, joins Kevin Anderson on Healthmark's Ask the Educator podcast to discuss her career path in OR & SPD. Listen in as Aimee shares advice for all SPD professionals looking to climb the leadership ladder!
Endoscope Reprocessing Training - an HSPA Sponsored Program
In endoscopy and sterile processing, we often run into the same issues. Training staff to do incredibly complex tasks, while they are under constant pressure to perform quickly. Stress often leads to mistakes, which then leads to hospital-a…
95. SPD Stories from the Trenches
Each SPD has problem areas of their own, but have you ever wondered how facilities across the country might look or perform? Our Healthmark Education team has been all over the United States and has that insight into how we are doing as an …