Healthcare Facilities Technician Program
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
PROGRAM LOCATION:
Glacier Canyon Lodge – Wisconsin Dells
45 Hillman Rd
Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965
PROGRAM TIMES:
Check In: 7:30 am to 8:00 am
Class Time: 8:00 am to 2:00 pm
$225 Registration Fee
(cost is per person & limited to first 100 registrants)
ABOUT THE EVENT
the WHEA Education and Professional Development Committee will be hosting a seminar at the Glacier Canyon Resort at Wisconsin Dells. The seminar will be an opportunity for the attendees to sharpen their skills on current codes related to healthcare, hear the latest from the Joint Commission and sit in on a panel discussion on possible building utility failures and what to do when they occur.
PRESENTERS
Laura Cooke, Field Director for Life Safety Code Surveyors
Laura is currently an Associate Field Director for the Life Safety Code Surveyors at The Joint Commission. In this role, she is responsible for training, development, and performance of surveyors who conduct on-site evaluations of healthcare facilities to ensure compliance with the life safety code. In addition, she also surveys healthcare organizations including hospitals, critical access hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and inpatient hospice facilities to ensure compliance with Comprehensive Accreditation Manuals, CMS Conditions of Participation, and all other regulatory standards. Prior to her current role, she served as a Joint Commission Life Safety Code Surveyor.
David R. Soens, PE, RA, Life Safety Fire Authority – Division of Quality Assurance
Dave is the Department’s Fire Authority to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for Life Safety. He is the physical environment technical consultant for acute care, long-term care, hospice, and assisted living programs. Dave assists various committees to improve code alignment through ASHE, NFPA, and WHEA. Lastly, his 25 years of experience assist variance requests for unique building designs to the Wisconsin Commercial Building Code.
Gordon (Gordy) Howie, Regional Chair Facilities & Support Services
Gordy serves as the Regional Chair of the Facilities & Support Services for Mayo Clinic Health System in Wisconsin and is based out of Eau Claire. His primary responsibility is leadership of Facilities, Safety, Compliance, and Construction for seven hospitals and 14 medical office buildings. Gordy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Technology/Plant Engineering from the University of Wisconsin – Stout and a Master of Science degree in Project Management from the University of Alaska – Anchorage.
Isaac Larson, Executive Director of Enterprise Facility
Isaac is the Executive Director of Enterprise Facility Services for Froedtert ThedaCare Health & The Medical College of Wisconsin. As Executive Director, he is responsible for all facility enhancement projects across the health network and is accountable for the administration and oversight of all maintenance and plant operation services. His past experience includes design and construction of many healthcare facilities across the country.
Rick Helfrich, CHFM, CHC, Plant and Facilities Project Manager
Rick is the Plant and Facilities Project Manager for SSM Health of the Fond du Lac Region. He is currently on the WHEA State Board, is a WHEA Codes & Standards committee representative, serves as the WHEA ASHE Advocacy Liaison, and has over 20 years of experience in the facilities healthcare setting.
CANCELLATION TERMS:
PLEASE NOTE NEW CANCELLATION TERMS: A fee of $50 will be charged to any cancellation made 2 weeks before the program date. There will be no refunds after the program virtual binder pdf file link has been sent to attendees. If the program is cancelled for any reason, refund is limited to the program fee.
