Hi All, I am JC Newell, and I have worked in and continue serving in the HTM Community for almost 24 years.
How did you get into the industry? Anything that drew you in?
I am an Army veteran that was thrust into the Biomedical Equipment Technology arena as a second military occupational specialty. I joined the Army as a 68F – Aircraft Electrician and was excited to be working on UH-60 Blackhawks and CH-47 Chinooks. However, due to a car accident involving me and my husband, I was no longer physically capable of working on aircraft and was reclassed as a 91A-Biomedical Equipment Technician.
What milestones or contributing factors helped elevate you to where you are today?
I advanced quickly as a BMET, then moved into the corporate world focused on education and training. Later, I began teaching Biomedical Equipment Technology and Business at a local college. This role is where I found my true purpose, to educate, support, and mentor others in this industry. I loved teaching and helping the graduates find their first jobs in the field and it has been the most rewarding experience of my life, other than my family.
What roadblocks did you have to overcome?
Once the college ended the program, I went back into the field where I landed in a Director of HTM role. This experience was tumultuous and riddled with roadblocks for me. One was being an African American woman in a leadership role, as part of a male dominated field. The other was, was hospital leadership not fully understanding what the HTM department was or how it should be supported. They only saw it as a break/fix department. Unfortunately, the hospital had predetermined plans to outsource the department, even though we proved to be a cost savings and met organizational goals. I was then moved to the IT Department. Although I was extremely disappointed in the leadership’s decision, I was determined to turn my lemons into lemonade. As part of the IT Department, I worked with the cybersecurity team and learned much. I parlayed that experience into a contracted Consultant role under my own company’s name, Newell Recruiting and Consulting, LLC. And that is where I became my own boss. Now, I support the HTM field through recruitment, consulting, and mentoring. Overcoming my roadblocks empowered me to step out on my own skills and abilities.
What do you feel makes a great leader in this industry?
I personally believe that leadership dictates culture in any organization. With that said, it is imperative that the leader have a Servant’s Heart. When you are a Servant Leader, you take a holistic approach to your team, organization, and your industry. You give your team the guidance, support, and tools needed to do their jobs, you fight for your team and what they need, and empower them to grow in the industry. This is what makes a great leader in my eyes.
What advice do you have for the other women in HTM?
Be true to you! Don’t let anyone tell you who you are or deter you from your goals. Learn as much as you can and don’t be afraid to step out on your skills!