A new feature article published by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) features insights from Gerry O’Dell, AAMI Fellow (2019), about her career journey as a certified industrial sterilization specialist, long-time standards professional, and current role as instructor for AAMI sterilization courses.

She reflects on 40 years of standardization work, detailing the importance of mentorship, and how she became involved in AAMI standards development in 1985. She eventually served as co-chair of sterilization working groups. She also reflects on where she sees the sterilization industry heading.

O’Dell advocates for active participation in the standardization process, noting that post-COVID, meetings shifted the standardization landscape to a virtual setting.

“Making sure that companies are picking the right people for being involved in the standards process – people that are willing to speak out and convey their opinions – that's something that people need to push for within their organizations,” she said.

Access the full interview on AAMI’s website.