Michael Shtur, Biomedical Engineering Technology alumnus
Jacob Hetu, Penn State New Kensington biomedical engineering technology alumnus, currently serves as a supervisor of Biomedical Engineering for Excela Health.
Jacob Hetu, Biomedical Engineering Technology alumnus
Why did you choose Penn State New Kensington, and more specifically, the BET program?
I originally started off at Penn State Behrend with a different major. I grew up in New Kensington and currently live in Lower Burrell. My father went to Penn State New Kensington, as well. I found out that my learning was more suited to the smaller class sizes, and I felt more at home there. I was also able to work and save money by living at home and commuting. In my opinion, the professors are more personal, accessible and take a greater interest in student learning when class sizes are managed. The previous department head, Myron, met with me over Christmas break to show me the campus and BET labs, and that made a great impression on me. Being on the Industrial Advisory Board, I have gotten to work with the current program head, Joie, and I see the same qualities and interest in her students as my former mentor had. I chose the BET program because I have always loved building and fixing things and had an interest in technology. In the BET program and field, you not only learn what basically every piece of medical equipment is, but how to repair and maintain them. Those skills are transferrable into daily life outside of work, whether that is being more informed about healthcare or the abilities to work on your house or car. The BET field is a service-based industry, and students get to use their skills to directly impact patient care. Without us, nurses and doctors could not do their jobs as effectively. We get to help make a difference in the community, and that is something that initially drew me to the field.
What are your strengths and interests, and how did the BET program help to engage you as a student?
I have always had an interest and a knack for building and repairing things, whether that was helping my father and grandfathers or my own projects. The BET program kept me constantly engaged. I really enjoyed the focus on the hands-on labs and learning. During class, we got to pick up tools and open up and work on equipment. Furthermore, most college students do not have a lot of experience with hospitals or medical equipment. Everything was new and exciting, and I found it very interesting. One of the final projects was a presentation on a medical device. I remember doing mine on a surgical robot and thinking how cool it was to see new technology being developed. The equipment and innovations are like living science fiction.
What part of the BET program resonated with you the most – the hands-on work, the medical aspect, technical work, the idea of helping those in need, or something else entirely?
I would say it is a combination of everything. I find that I learn hands on better than just lectures. The feeling of working on something with your hands and seeing the results of a repair still fills me with pride almost 10 years later. Being in the medical field has never been more important or fulfilling than now since the COVID-19 pandemic. Our work is highly technical and skilled and that makes our field important and meaningful. All jobs are important in their own ways, but being in the medical field, we get to help save lives and return people back to their families. In my opinion, there is nothing more important than that. I have an vintage GE poster in my office that ends with “Because at the end of the day, you are the one that needs to keep the well-oiled machine oiled. Because you are a Biomed.” Biomeds are unsung heroes of healthcare, but I think I can speak for many of us in the field when I say the sense of pride in our jobs is more important than recognition.
What was your favorite class or activity during your time in the BET program?
I really enjoyed getting to test electrosurgical units on steak and seeing how the different modes cut. I also enjoyed the hands-on lab learning how to use and test the equipment, especially the defibrillators. All the core BET classes were interesting and engaging. I still run into some of my classmates in the field today and work with others in various forms. Jeff and Ted always had cool labs, and since they are active in the field, they also have a wealth of hands-on experience that can only be learned and taught from first-hand knowledge.
Can you talk about your internship experience while you were in the program?
I had a great experience and did my internship at Excela Health Westmoreland Hospital. At the time, 3 of the 4 techs in the shop all went through the BET program, as well as the Director and Supervisor. I learned a lot through the internship and gained a lot of hands-on knowledge. It was really cool to see the job I would be doing, and also work on and see all the equipment that we learned about during class. Not only does the internship help you learn, it also creates connections with other people in the field. The biomed community is a close one, and everyone knows each other even if it is just by name. There was not an open position at Excela when I graduated, but I was able to find another job at a different health system with the help and recommendation of a few of the techs and my internship review.
What have you already done and what do you hope to continue to do with your degree?
After my internship concluded, I studied and passed my CBET certification and went to Level 1 x-ray training through RSTI. Continuing with the theme of the internship, when a position opened at Excela, I was asked to interview. I was hired on as a tech, and over the last 6+ years, I have moved into a lead tech position, and now Supervisor role. I hope to continue to learn and gain experience and eventually move into upper management.
Why should students consider the BET program?
The BET program offers a unique experience where one can gain useful skills and knowledge in a relatively short time. The field needs new biomeds as many senior and veteran technicians are retiring, leaving great opportunities for new graduates. The internship not only helps teach the student skills, but is one long job interview and can open doors. There are not many accredited BET programs, and the fact that you have an accredited associate’s degree in engineering from Penn State, instead of a certificate, is a huge bonus during the hiring/interview process. The connections you make during class and the internship will serve you professionally throughout your career. There are so many different career options and paths that you can chose with a BET degree: you can work for a health system servicing everything from the most basic equipment to highly specialized pieces; there are management opportunities and teaching opportunities; you can join medical sales and account management; you can work for a manufacturer traveling as a field service agent, or work at the headquarters for bench repairs, or even do system installs in new construction. Currently, the degree can even be used to bridge the gap between IT and medical device integration. It really is a program that can open doors.
In your opinion, what does it mean to be a Penn Stater?
I think that being a Penn Stater means doing the best you can with what you were given to make a difference in your community. When someone talks about Penn State, they almost always bring up THON. Acts of service are such a core to the culture of Penn State, and I believe that carries on into the professional lives of students after graduation.
Jack DeloStritto, Biomedical Engineering Technology alumnus
Jack DelloStritto, Penn State New Kensington biomedical engineering technology alumnus, works on hospital equipment during his program internship at Children's Hospital in Pittsburgh.
Why did you choose Penn State New Kensington, and more specifically, the BET program?
Growing up, I’ve always been great with my hands, starting with my first Jeep. My father would always help me work on it, and it wasn’t long before I was able to start doing work on it myself. A few years and two Jeeps later, I had an interest in doing something in the medical field, but I wasn’t sure if there was anything I could do that could utilize my skills. I ended up going to college and trying a few different majors, all while joining the Army National Guard as a Light Wheeled Vehicle mechanic. After about 3-4 years of trying different career paths at other institutions, I still did not feel like I was doing what I was supposed to do.
That’s when my friend recommended that I talk to his father who works at Mercy Hospital as a biomedical technician since he knew I was good with my hands and had an interest in the medical field. Before that conversation, I had no idea what a biomedical engineering technician was or what they did, but right then, I had the feeling that I was finally onto something good. Alan recommended Penn State New Kensington (PSNK) and it’s BET program and directed me to Myron Hartman. I met with Myron, and he explained how PSNK was one of the best schools in the entire country for this program due to its accreditation by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Myron was able to see what credits would transfer from my previous course work and created a class schedule for me. I enrolled into the program that day!
What are your strengths and interests, and how did the BET program help to engage you as a student?
In terms of strengths, i’d probably have to say dedication. When I started the program, I was newly married and had gone through some schooling already, so I did not want to waste any time getting through the program. Dedication, remembering why I was there and who I was doing this for (my wife and I), helped me to stay focused and resulted in doing well through the program.
What part of the BET program resonated with you the most – the hands-on work, the medical aspect, technical work, the idea of helping those in need, or something else entirely?
I would say that hands-on work, technical work, and the idea of helping those in need really go hand in hand. One thing to remember about this field is that YOU, as a biomedical engineering technologist, are making a difference in the hospital and actually get to see for yourself just how you are making that difference. You see it when you’re working in the field and see a patient on a piece of a equipment that you serviced. The professors at PSNK do a fantastic job preparing you for that reality. When we work, it’s not about us; it’s all about the patient and helping to ensure their safety!
What was your favorite class or activity during your time in the BET program?
My favorite class would be any class that was directly BET-related. Basic college courses are required in the program, but the BET courses were the most interesting to me. We got a whole lot of hands-on training on different types of equipment in the BET lab. Our class was pretty close, and we had a lot of fun just about every day of our BET classes. We still keep a group message thread going and stay in touch because of that.
Can you talk about your internship with Children’s Hospital?
My internship with Children’s was with their clinical engineering department, which is the department of biomeds for the hospital. Throughout my internship, I got to work on all types of equipment. One thing about this field is that it is changing constantly. Equipment is constantly being updated, so you’re always seeing something new. I was able to go around to departments in the hospital, both with or without other biomeds, and service that department’s equipment. Each day was certainly busy and filled with different learning opportunities. The biomeds at Children’s were nothing less than extremely kind and helpful. They are very knowledgeable in their specialties and were always willing to show me different operations or equipment. With them, I never felt like I was in the way. The shop there was like a family, and a very funny one at that.
What do you hope to do with your degree?
I was hired for the Clinical Engineering Gen I position at Children’s! Another thing about this field is that there are many different opportunities and career paths. A biomed can work in a hospital environment, field service, or for a manufacturer just to name a few! The medical field is not going anywhere, so neither are biomeds. Personally, I want to work in the hospital field, but I am excited to see where my career takes me!