Ask the Educator

Have you ever wondered how research studies get started—or thought about investigating a challenge in your own sterile processing department? In this episode, Adam talks with Healthmark's Abby Smart about the fundamentals of research. They cover how to develop a research question, what goes into designing a quality study, and practical tips for getting started. Whether you're new to research or lo...

Kevin and Adam take a closer look at Healthmark's new AAMI Level 4 Decontamination Gown—and they're not just talking about it, they're wearing it too! The AAMI Level 4 Decontamination Gown is a full coverage gown designed specifically for the demands of sterile processing workflows, where exposure to fluids and strike-through risks are a daily concern. Tune in as they share their firsthand impress...

Are you thinking about the next step in your sterile processing career? In this episode, Kevin and Adam discuss their own experiences with career development and share practical ways to grow professionally through strategic planning, networking, and advanced certifications. Whether you are just getting started or looking to advance your role, this conversation offers insights to help support your...

Starting a business is never easy, especially in the specialized world of sterile processing and medical device reprocessing. In this episode, we talk with Nicole Simon of Simon Sterilization Solutions about her journey launching a new business, navigating the product development process, and her advice for aspiring sterile processing entrepreneurs.  Whether you’re interested in innovation, entrep...

Sterile processing inspection is critical to ensuring patient safety—and small issues can easily be missed without the right approach. Healthmark’s Cheron Rojo dives into key findings from recent studies on the inspection of shavers, rigid endoscopes, and light cables. What does the data reveal about common inspection challenges, and are you using the right tools and techniques to catch hidden iss...

In this episode, we explore a real challenge facing many endoscopy departments: how do you properly store a 6½-foot enteroscope in a 6-foot cabinet? Join Mary Ann Drosnock, PhD as she explains what enteroscopes are, the unique challenges associated with processing, drying, and storage, and what manufacturer guidance recommends for best practice. If you work in endoscopy or sterile processing, this...

Have questions about endoscope reprocessing? Kevin and Adam sit down with Dr. Mary Ann Drosnock and Dyan Darga, our endoscopy experts, to answer the hottest endo questions and discuss the latest trends in endoscope reprocessing. Perfect for SPD teams, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in safe, effective endoscopy practices!

Cheron Rojo has found some interesting data on our light guide cables; essential pieces for viewing a surgical site during laparoscopic procedures; and the data isn’t good.  In this episode, you’ll learn what percentage of light guide cables were determined to be failing or deficient, the reason for those deficiencies, and most importantly, some helpful advice on what we can do to fix it.

Legendary sterile processing educator Stephen Kovach is learning something new in retirement—artificial intelligence. In this episode, we talk with Steve about his new AI passion project and how AI can be used to simplify data reporting, address water quality and spotting issues, and support smarter staffing decisions, including the value of employing newly certified technicians. As always, it’s a...

What is a competency? Why do we need them? And how do we get started creating them? For new leaders in sterile processing, these are some of the most important questions to ask. Competency development is a required element in sterile processing departments and a critical building block of a well-run department. In this episode, we explore the fundamentals of competency development and share practi...

Can something as small as lint affect patient safety in the operating room? In this episode, Dr. Wava Truscott shares her detailed research on lint and its role in the perioperative process. We’ll explore how dust and lint particles could influence patient recovery—and what steps can be taken to reduce these risks.

In this episode, Adam is joined by Amy DeGraw, HSPA Clinical Educator, to discuss why recognizing Sterile Processing professionals shouldn’t be limited to one week a year. They explore how ongoing appreciation impacts mental health, strengthens department culture, and share practical ideas to help your SP team feel valued every day.

In this episode, Kevin and Adam sit down with Healthmark’s own Ralph Basile to discuss how he got his start in the family business, what it’s like working alongside his brothers, and where his passion for standards work comes from. Don’t miss this extended interview with an industry legend who’s helped shape the world of sterile processing!

We’ve hit 150 episodes! 🎉 In this special milestone edition of Ask the Educator, we’re celebrating by answering your most frequently asked questions — the ones we’ve heard in our inbox, at conferences, and everywhere in between. Join us as Kevin & Adam reflect on how far we’ve come, share insights from the journey, and look ahead to what’s next. Thank you for being part of the Ask the Educato...

What are the latest trends and changes in flexible endoscope processing, and what is the most recent research and data telling us?  In this episode, we’ll catch up with Dr. Mary Ann Drosnock to recap her September 2025 webinar on what’s new in the world of flexible endoscopes, and get her insight into some of the issues in the industry and some practical advice for addressing them.

If you’ve ever wondered how to break into the field of sterile processing, this episode is for you! We’ll share how we each got our start in the industry, offer practical tips for getting your foot in the door, and highlight common mistakes to avoid when applying for your first SPD job. Whether you’re a student, a job seeker, or just curious about this vital role in healthcare, tune in for insight...

Behind every surgical tool lies a story—and sometimes, the impact is deeply personal. In this episode, we sit down with our own Cheron Rojo as he shares how insulation testing touched his life and family in a profound way. From an unexpected surgical outcome to the study that shed new light on insulated devices, Cheron’s journey reveals why this issue matters more than many realize. Tune in for a...

In this episode, Cheron Rojo talks to Kevin and Adam to recap Healthmark’s August 2025 webinar on his 2023 – 2024 arthroscopic shaver study and the results.  Hear the sobering data on failure rates, where the issues were, contributing factors to the failures, and how can we start to improve these disastrous results?

With endoscopy under the spotlight, one of the toughest challenges departments face is proper drying. In this episode, we sit down with Healthmark’s endoscopy specialist, Dyan Darga, to unpack best practices and key takeaways from her July 2025 webinar on endoscope drying.

In this episode, we speak with 2025 HSPA Award of Honor winner, Julie Williamson about her career, how she came to HSPA and how the sterile processing industry has changed and evolved over the span of her career. As a bonus, we’ll let you know how YOU can get involved with industry writing and making sure you have a voice!  

How much do you really know about the chemicals used in your department and could you be unknowingly putting yourself or your team at risk? In this episode, we’re joined by Alex Hilliker, Executive Vice President at ChemDAQ, a leader in chemical monitoring and safety systems. With a background in public service and a passion for protecting frontline workers, Alex breaks down the latest standards i...

In this episode, Kevin and Adam sit down with Tiffany Reece and Jake McHugh, Clinical Education and Training Specialists, to discuss how they navigate the challenges of working in sterile processing while managing ADHD. Whether you have ADHD, think you might, or simply want to better understand how professionals can thrive with it, this candid conversation offers insight, support, and encouragemen...

How does a surgical instrument become magnetized, and why is that a problem? In this episode, Healthmark Educators Michael Matthews and Malinda Elammari unpack the mystery of magnetized instruments. Sterile processing professionals will gain valuable insights into how magnetization happens, the challenges it can create in the OR, and practical solutions to address this often-overlooked issue in th...

What goes into creating a certification exam? Quite a bit more than you might think. In this episode, Kevin and Adam sit down with HSPA’s Siri Sorenson to unpack the process behind certification exams—from their development to delivery. Tune in to learn why certification matters, which options are available, and how these high-stakes assessments are carefully crafted for Sterile Processing profess...

Surgical instruments need to be clean, and this rightly becomes an area of focus for a lot of sterile processing departments.  But we also need to make sure that instruments and devices used in the surgical case are functional, because non-functional devices can cause complications for patients.  In this episode, we speak with the Packaging Princess, Malinda Elammari about instruments and testing...