Going Beyond the Job: Zimbabwe, Africa

Ben C. enjoys traveling with his HTM colleagues all over the world. When we received pictures of him in Zimbabwe, we were curious what he was doing there with Tim Nagel! 

Tim began his career in HTM when he entered the U.S. Air Force. He was guaranteed a job classification in Electronics and was lucky enough to get selected to Medical Equipment Repair, one of his top 3 choices. After his time in the military, he moved back to the midwest to raise his family. He currently works at Agnesian Healthcare SSM Health in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin as a Site Manager Clinical Engineering for Trimedx Inc.

Tim had the opportunity to travel with Project C.U.R.E in 2018 to Nigeria, Africa, so when he heard about the mission trip to Zimbabwe, he volunteered to go again. 

"Both trips were a wonderful experience and very rewarding to know I was able to provide needed equipment to impoverished areas. The local healthcare professionals we worked with were so grateful for the supplies and equipment that they received."

For this trip, Tim traveled with a nurse and another HTM technician. It was their responsibility to set up and verify that the donated equipment was functioning properly. They also provided training as appropriate.

"Project C.U.R.E. is a wonderful charity that provides medical equipment, supplies, support, and training all over the world. They would be happy to have HTM professionals volunteer to help repair medical equipment at their distribution sites," shares Nagel. Project C.U.R.E. has distribution warehouses in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Nashville, Phoenix, and Philadelphia.

"They also have the need for us to accompany teams that travel to other countries. We help set up, perform minor repairs, and train on equipment that has been delivered to areas in need. Project C.U.R.E. has provided equipment, supplies, support, and training to over 130 countries!"

To learn more about Project C.U.R.E., visit their website here.

"Never turn down the opportunity for additional training. Never stop learning. Pursue the CBET certification, utilize your organizations tuition reimbursement to obtain specialized certificates or an advanced degree!"

Outside of work, Tim enjoys restoring older arcade games and spending time with his wonderful wife, Maria, and is a proud father to two adult daughters, Sarah and Rachel.

"I've been in the HTM field for over 30 years, and it has been a very rewarding career. I can't imagine doing anything else."

Thank you, Tim, for sharing your story and the incredible opportunity to use your profession to help others through organizations like Project C.U.R.E.

Have you or a colleague used your HTM profession to serve around the world? Let us know! We'd love to highlight you and share how HTM professionals go beyond the job. Email mandy@medwrench.com.