HTM On The Line with BRYANT HAWKINS SR.
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HTM On The Line with BRYANT HAWKINS SR.
Mentorship, Purpose and Legacy: Douglas Redwine’s HTM Journey
In this episode of HTM On The Line, host Bryant Hawkins sits down with Douglas Redwine, a 24-year veteran of the Healthcare Technology Management (HTM) industry. From his unexpected entry into the field to his passion for mentorship and community impact, Douglas shares invaluable insights on navigating challenges, fostering cross-generational knowledge, and redefining the perception of HTM professionals. Tune in to hear how Douglas inspires the next generation and what it truly means to lead with purpose. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation!
We are immensely grateful to our partners— College of Biomedical Equipment Technology, A.M. BICKFORD, INC., UptimeServices, PM BIOMEDICAL, and Talent Exclusive—for their support in making this podcast possible. Their dedication to advancing the Healthcare Technology Management industry is truly commendable. For more information about their contributions and services, please visit their websites.
For more podcast episodes, motivational videos, blogs, and newsletters, make sure to visit our website at htmontheline.com. We look forward to connecting with you.
Welcome to another inspiring episode of HTM on the Line, where we bring the heart of the healthcare technology management industry to life. I'm your host, bryant Hawkins Sr, and today we have a guest whose story and impact will leave you motivated and ready to take on the world, and ready to take on the world. Joining us is none other than Mr Douglas Redwine, a seasoned HTM professional, mentor and advocate for shaping the future of our industry. Doug's journey into HTM started with a spark of curiosity and has grown into a blazing passion for making a difference, from mentoring students and young professionals to addressing depressing challenges of staffing and knowledge transfer in our field. Doug is a man with purpose and vision. Whether you're a veteran in HTM, a rising star or someone curious about the work that keeps healthcare running behind the scenes, you'll want to tune in.
Speaker 1:This episode is packed with wisdom, inspiration and actionable insights. So grab a cup of coffee or settle into your commute, because we're about to get into a conversation that's sure to light a fire under you. Let's get started. Welcome to another episode of HTM On the Line. I have a special guest this week, mr Douglas Redwine. How are you doing tonight, doug? I'm doing great.
Speaker 2:I'm glad to be here with Mr Douglas Redwine. How are you doing tonight, doug? I'm doing great. Glad to be here with you. Thank you for the invite.
Speaker 1:Well, we're going to just dig into Mr Redwine just to see where you're at, how you're doing. I know you just relocated from Texas to Georgia. How's that relocation going?
Speaker 2:It's going well. Still, you know learning the ropes, but everything is good, I'm in the right place.
Speaker 1:Let's, just in case a few people who don't know who you are, just give us a little short story about how you came into the industry or what drew you into the H&M industry. Give us your story, give us your background.
Speaker 2:Oh, man, that's funny, I just got asked that question today. I came into the industry kind of by mistake. Man, that's funny, I just got asked that question today. I came into the industry kind of by mistake. I was in college.
Speaker 2:I went to school and chose architecture as my major and about after the first year we were doing I don't care and, you know, out of ignorance I thought you would be drawing and sketching because I can draw. So I was kind of not feeling the way we were doing it. So I had a friend who was in the School of Technology. He's like how about engineering? So I had a friend who was in the school of technology. He's like, how about engineering?
Speaker 2:So I grabbed a book we didn't have, you know, internet at the time and I grabbed a little catalog and scrolling through I had two criteria make good money and help people in engineering and I came across a brand new field of study. They had biomedical engineering, kind of. Read up on it, I liked the fact I never heard heard of it and I didn't know how much money it made. I was 19, so I was like it sounded like something good and I read about it. And so doctors and nurses can't do their job without these people and I put my finger on and chose it, and that's how I came into the career, you know.
Speaker 1:So look hey, man, that's amazing. It's like I think I kid you not. Everybody has a story of how they came into the industry and it's never the same. So if you came in at 19, how many years have you been in the industry so far?
Speaker 2:Oh man, I've been in the industry. I want to say 24 years. I'm a quick man. I took a little break, I left, I was in the field, started in 98. Pinched it off into something else for a couple years and came back. I think about about 24 years, probably 24, 25.
Speaker 1:That's over half your life, man. Yeah, yes, sir. Now what would you say would be one of the most rewarding moments in the 24 years you've been so far, because you probably got more coming. But what would you say is one of your most rewarding moments?
Speaker 2:For me. I think everything always ties back to it. It's the mentoring and hiring aspect of it that's the most rewarding when I was at one time an adjunct college professor at a technical college and some of those students I was actually able to hire. And just knowing I was at one time an adjunct college professor at a technical college and some of those students I was actually able to hire, and just when I was making a difference in people's lives by, you know, helping with employment, and then someone coming to me and looking at me as a mentor, I think that was the most feeling. And then, secondarily, I think the most fulfilling moment is during COVID, when I actually saw people's perspective change about how they looked at us. When we became we were already important, but when, I think, when people started seeing, you know, how important we were to the lifeblood of the healthcare system, that was really fulfilling for me to see that change.
Speaker 1:Yeah, man, covid, covid I still talk about COVID to this day. It's like it's that was a moment in time there. Yes, now there's a lot with all this staff shortages we have in our industry right now real health care as a whole but and you mentioned how you mentor and you love to mentor well, well, what advice would you give someone Cause a lot of people might be listening, who might be outside of your reach, but now you can reach them what advice would you give to someone who's just starting out in the HTM industry and they're looking to make an impact, like you have done so far? What advice would you give someone?
Speaker 2:Oh, wow. I would advise them first of all, to seek to be knowledgeable in whichever part of the field they're most interested in, wherever they decide to, whatever area they decide, to make their expertise be very knowledgeable overall and then especially in your domain of expertise. Secondarily, I would advise them to network. That's so beneficial, so I always promote you have to network, you have to meet people, you have to get out there. I would advise them to seek mentorship. Find someone they can look up to who's already doing and who's already where they think they might want to be. Seek mentorship. And then I would advise them to participate, meaning their local organization, biomed Society, htm Society, get involved, go to the conferences, um, and and lastly, I would advise them in some type of way to brand themselves um, be a walking brand for for HTM, as they network. That's right, man.
Speaker 1:Cause. Networking is a great, great avenue because most biomed style introverts by nature. But yeah, they have to network cause. That helps a lot. Yeah, now you mentioned COVID how you noticed that they started looking at the HTM industry differently. Now I don't want to say five years, let's just say maybe the next few years. What do you see may be the biggest challenge facing us, facing the HTM industry, besides the staffing issue? We know that that's one. What will be another challenge you think we'll be facing the industry today and how would you address it?
Speaker 2:the challenge yeah that's a good one. This is something I'm working on, um. So the the challenge that I um foresee in the future is actually related to our current problem of recruiting new people to the field. Um and and um getting the industry out there right. Um the shortage and so the.
Speaker 2:The challenge that that is happening now but it'll be more so in the future, is that as the current population of htm veterans retire, they're taking a lot of knowledge with them.
Speaker 2:So the problem I see happening is the cross-generational training.
Speaker 2:Actually, today I went to a site for somebody who's getting ready to retire a biomed three, all these years of experience, and he's leaving Back-filling.
Speaker 2:His position is going to be tough and we didn't have an understudy, a successor behind him, and I think that's going to cause a lapse, you know, in our productivity in the field, setting up a system to where somebody can, where you identify in advance the person that will be next up, and then I know it's kind of hard sometimes but we have to find a way to, you know, get that understudy, to work with that person and get some of that extra knowledge that you can only get from a person in that position. And then another part of it, I think, is in our onboarding process. I think, you know, we bring people on and we don't have a real good system most of the time of onboarding them with the mindset of I'm going to, you know, get up under the next level person and learn, and then I'm going to also be responsible for teaching back, you know, so it can just flow through step by step, um, and I'm still thinking about that, um, how that works.
Speaker 1:But that's what were my mindset right now yeah, because you're absolutely right, most likely when the b-med three retire, even a b-med two. Now, yeah, it's hard to backfill it because it's a challenge. So yeah, most likely you're gonna come in with a one or you might have to relocate it too, but then that's a challenge when someone relocates are they gonna be able to adjust to the culture they're moving into, you know?
Speaker 1:so that's a lot of challenges there, but that's a good idea though cross training and just hoping that BMED 3 would want to.
Speaker 2:And that's why I say, with the like, with a BMED, they might be so busy, they might not want to do it, so we have to, you know, structure it in a way to where, like, this is understood this is part of the job where you, you're BMED 3, you have knowledge, so you it's kind of your job to help mentor also, and I don't know exactly how to make that work, but it's something that at least needs to be addressed and attempted.
Speaker 1:I think one way that can happen that points directly at the leader. I mean, if you got the culture of your barbershop already working that way, it'll be like second nature because your team is only as good as your weakest person.
Speaker 1:So if you put that mindset into your team, then they'll be mentoring without even knowing they're doing it. Now, since we're talking about mentorship and leadership as a leader, what type of strategies do you use to motivate your team when you get into, like, a tough situation? I'm high on motivation and like, say, for instance, covid came up. What was one of the things you did to motivate your team during this pressure moment that was going?
Speaker 2:on. So mine is, I want to say, elementary, because I do the same thing across the board in the school system and at work and I think it is leading by example, being relational and, for instance, on mine. So my techs have to come to work during COVID Directors managers we didn't have to, but I, because they were there, I showed up Just so they can know that I'm there with them and they have a leader who is not just going to be in the background looking at the computer and checking what they do, but actually there and seeing how you know, offering my assistance in whichever way I could. So I believe in being in a position to be a support and knowing that I can be leaned on and helping in every way that I can, leaned on and helping in every way that I can. And that's the kind of way that I, that's the way that I lead is being very, being very relational with my, with my team.
Speaker 1:That's awesome man. Your team is blessed to have someone like that, because a lot of leaders don't lead that way. So now you mentioned you found out about this industry at the age of 19. 19. Yes, sir, and so you came in real young. So now you mentioned you found out about this industry at the age of 19. 19. Yes, sir, and so you came in real young. So it's not like not like you had much life experience going on, so obviously you had some mentors in your life, who are some of the key mentors that you would say helped shape you into the person you are today, or at least gave you the idea of how to approach each day.
Speaker 2:As as related to uh, htm or in general, both Okay, okay so. So, starting now, I'll be brief about it. Just, I had a mentor which is probably why I'm here today as a young buck, around 12 years old at my church, a youth minister who was real pivotal in my life and I kind of followed in his footsteps and that's how you know. I know that mentoring helped me, so I want to be like him for someone else. So that's the first part. So a quick background on that.
Speaker 2:When I was 12, I was very bad at school, used to fail and that kind of stuff, and this guy came from. I was in Fort Worth, texas. He came from Alaska, just graduated from Alaska, he went to Howard University and then he graduated from Howard and came to the seminary in Fort Worth to get his master's degree, and so he was the first person that I had met in my life from somewhere else who was college educated and so that got my attention. He was smart and he was cool and I wanted to be like him. So that was my first influence. And as far as in the industry, hey man, give him a shout out.
Speaker 1:man, who's your mentor?
Speaker 2:Stanley Williams, stanley Williams, stanley man. I call him Stanley man. Okay, he got the same birthday and I still talk to him every birthday. I still call him Awesome, I'm a big brother. There you go.
Speaker 1:Now go back to your HTM mentor now.
Speaker 2:So HTM, and so that came later, because when I went into it I just did my job and I kind of choose people, so I didn't have a real mentor early on, and so it's going to be funny they're going to hear this for sure. So later on, once I decided that I want to actually do more in the industry, that I could see the potential and like, oh, this can be something. And it was actually. I met these two people at an MD expo in Dallas, probably 2016, maybe 15, 16. And that was Jewel Newell and David Broderick. They probably don't know it, but meeting them and seeing how they were operating kind of inspired me and I could see the different sides of it. You know where this can be more. And so at that one particular event, when I first started networking in the industry, those people I chose as my mentors without asking them.
Speaker 1:I know you knew JC. Yeah, I knew Jewel when Jewel was a little bitty Jewel. Went away for about 10 years, come back around. I'm like man. The whole world know who this woman is Right.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so I threw her that's how I became an adjunct professor because she was doing it now.
Speaker 1:We know this job. As much as you love it, it has its moments. So how do you stay motivated and, at the same time, continue to grow, both professionally and, I'll say, personally, I mean. I know you're a busy man, but how do you stay motivated to continue to do those things?
Speaker 2:Simple. I'm a purpose driven person and I search for challenges and look for opportunities. You know, if I can't find them, I create it. And so the answer to both of those questions is even how he myself motivated to grow and help others. It's all the same, I like to move around, a lot I can get. I'm the kind of person that can get bored with, you know, just doing the same thing over and over, and so I choose not to ever get bored, and so I have to make things fun for myself, and I'm a creative person, so I'm always looking for the opportunities to. You know, how can this improve, or how can I do something different, or what's on the horizon? And so that's how I keep myself, you know, motivated in my day to day and in this industry. I see you like to run, man, yeah, I got to do it, you got to stay busy. Yes, sir, yes, sir, yes, sir. Man, yeah, I got to do it, you got to stay busy. Yes, sir, yes, sir, yes, sir and that comes directly from COVID Can't be sitting in the house.
Speaker 2:I had to get outside. Yeah, when everything was shut down. Oh, really, you know, because I used to play basketball and you know, just stay active. The gyms are shut down and I was going stir crazy. You know no social interaction and stuff like that. So I got outside and started running and loving it. And then all the people that were outside that I knew were some a run group. I joined a run group and here we go. I didn't plan on running a half marathon when I started, but you know congratulations I did that one time, and that one time only, I made it through.
Speaker 1:But I I was tell you this quick, funny story. I was running when this lady had to be about 65 and she's here on the back of her shirt. I may be slow, but you behind me, yeah I zoomed past her man I'm like man about two hours later. I'm walking, I'm walking, and that's who came trotting by me. I was saying little speech, yes, sir, and I read her shirt.
Speaker 1:I said, wow, it hit me. I said, yeah, you made me slow, but I am behind you and she beat me too. She had that slow, steady pace. I thought I could just go out there and just run. I'm young.
Speaker 2:It sounded like the trailer on a hair.
Speaker 1:That's the message you got. But, um, now let's think about you mentioned you do a lot with the community, and that's awesome. Now, how can man this is a challenge one here, because you mentioned about how, um, you would like for your senior b-mans to maybe start a replacement or transition plan? How can we better educate the next generation about the importance of HTM? Because you could teach them how to repair equipment, but how can we go about educating them how to know about the importance of what we do?
Speaker 2:Wrestle with that a lot too. I think I like to point to leadership, and I know it's not exactly part of the job description, but I think that all of us that you know work in this industry, love the industry and care about it, have a responsibility to promote it as we go. I think we're all out and active and not all, but most of us are out, active and doing things and as you go, I think we we should be mentioning it and and and letting people know what we do um and trying to recruit um so that people, more people, can know about it. Uh, I think I just think that's part of the calling.
Speaker 1:Yes, sir, all right, If you could change one thing. I know you mentioned during COVID that everyone gained a new appreciation for what we do, but if you could change one thing about the perception of HTM, what would it be?
Speaker 2:I have to think more on that, but I think it's changing now, because I used to have this deal where I had a goal for my team.
Speaker 2:I used to tell my team that I didn't want them to. First of all, I didn't want them to look at themselves as just the fix-it people, and I didn't want the. You know, I wanted to be viewed as a viable and important piece of the puzzle in the healthcare network, and so I used to always try to teach them to like first of all, see yourself, see, look at what you do and know how important it is, and also don't let any like, let anybody else look at you like that. So I wanted to people within the system as a whole not to just see us as the fix it people that come out of the basement and grab something. Could we do much? So much more than that? You know, you know everything we do. So I just want to want to want to want the whole scope of it to be recognized, and so that would be the part that I would think needs to be the perception that I would like changed.
Speaker 1:That's time to lighten it up some here Okay. What's one fun fact? I know you mentioned running. Yeah, that's something you like to do, but what's a surprising fact about yourself that most people in the industry don't know about you? Most people in the industry don't know about you.
Speaker 2:Most people, most people in the industry, wouldn't know that I got bars just joking, but I used to own a recording studio and I used to do music and I, you know, performed in front of you know, crowds as big as 5,000, and you know, on tour and travel, and you know not not, let me not make it sound too but you know I'm touring and traveling. You know not, not, let me not make it sound too but you know I've done a bunch of shows and do poetry and things of that nature. So all of my stuff, as far as creativity, started with music before I did my afterschool program and my books. It started. So I still feel like I'm making music in a sense.
Speaker 1:So my creative outlets yes, what type of music you did, man?
Speaker 2:I mean you said bars, but you're a rapper I was doing what they were coined as as gospel rap, okay. Okay, there was a recording studio. I just recorded outside I know how to you know work to um the on the workstation, the digital audio workstation, but we also had an analog board too, so I did the mixing and and recordings. I was a sound engineer oh, wow.
Speaker 1:Now a couple, a couple years ago I did this motivational piece and I called it dear 1993 me, where I had a conversation with my younger self. Now, if you can, what type, what piece of advice I'll say would you give to your younger self starting out in HTM? If you can go back to that 19 year old, what would you tell your? Tell him, oh man, starting out in the industry.
Speaker 2:So the advice I gave earlier, I would have told my, my younger self to take it seriously, look towards the future in the job network and pursue. I'm a leader and I pursued leadership earlier. Yeah, for sure I kind of for a good period of time I was doing I'm always busy so I was doing other endeavors and kind of just doing a job. So it wasn't until I actually decided that I was going to leave the field because I, you know, unfortunately and I feel this is another part maybe I should say that we should fix I don't know, it might not be the same, just in the places I've worked, you, you will go up the ranks a little bit and then you're kind of stuck until somebody retires or, you know, passes and you can't get promoted.
Speaker 2:We don't have that many levels, you know, and I was kind of at a position like, well, I've reached the top outside of management, and so I was seeking to, you know, do other things. And it was at that time that I kind of discovered, hey, there's, I can, the field can be improved and I can, I can do some extra things, I can, I can move forward, um, and I can make it better the type on that on part about somebody got to die out for you advanced.
Speaker 1:Now you just have to move. Yeah, relocate I mean. Unfortunately, you know the kind of work we do.
Speaker 1:Yes, sir, if you don't probably develop dementia, you make it, do it up in your 70s right, so yeah if you're waiting on somebody to retire and they're close to your age, then you're gonna be waiting, so the best thing to do is to go where that opportunity is at. That's why. That's why I'm where I am right now, exactly Now. You touched on a part about you know, you did your singing and gospel rap, but you also mentioned about books. So you are published author. How many times over? Now? Four books. So what type of books are you? What type of books you write about?
Speaker 2:So and so that. So I'm a published author, but I'm about to be a real published author, real soon this year, meaning I have a novel, oh okay, which I'm very, you know, excited about. So the first books I've I've done there was a activity workbook, um, team STEAM, create some characters. I have another book I do after school programs and I noticed that some of my classes like well, they don't teach kids how to write anymore. So I did a writing book. You know, just a basic, you know tracing letters and things of that nature.
Speaker 2:I have another book HBCU career, college book to promote HBCUs because I went to HBCU, and college book to promote HBCUs because I went to HBCU and it was helpful in my life and so I know some other people need to be exposed to it. So the history of HBCUs and a bunch of a real cool book. I created that one. And then I created a journal because I'm a journal. So I created a what was how you say it? I want to say thought provoking my mind not working correctly right now, but writing prompts, a journal with writing prompts and motivational. I did 50 different quotes so they have words of affirmation on each day and morning and night journaling session.
Speaker 1:Yeah, so what's your favorite part about connecting with young readers through your books? Because I noticed you talk about after school and teaching them how to write. So what's your favorite part of connecting with young people?
Speaker 2:It's always the so when I'm there physically with them, I'm outside, when parents send me stuff, it's the aha moments, seeing those eyes light up, helping them to tap into their creativity. It's just when I see them get it, you know. And also when a student. Because I have a deal where I say when they say, man, this is hard, and I clap like yeah, it's hard. When it's hard, it's an opportunity to get smarter, you know. So I have a deal where I say when they say, man, this is hard, and I clap like, yeah, it's hard. When it's hard, it's an opportunity to get smarter, you know. So I have this whole deal. And when I see that breakthrough, when I do a coding class, or even on the reading exercises, when they're challenged, and then you know the kids, you know, oh, this is hard and you know we work through it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's hard to get they. Oh, when they get to that moment, I love that. Well, I can see the the learning happening. That's awesome, man. I was on the internet today and I think sherelle, she um was at the eye doctor and she mentioned um, she's sherelle, she does oh yeah, insider yeah, and so yes, she said she loved when the light bulb comes on, when she tell them about the industry.
Speaker 1:But like I, told her for that light bulb to cut on and you'd appreciate it meaning that light bulb was cutting on inside you the same way all the time. That's why you, that's why you can appreciate it when you see that light bulb cut on in someone else and that's a calling. That's that's what a calling part comes in, because your light bulb cut on. Every morning when you wake up it's on. And that's why you keep creating, because it's constantly cutting on, and that's when that job becomes a calling and everybody don't have that.
Speaker 1:So hopefully, listening to this podcast, you can motivate them to turn their light bulbs on, because we all have one we just have to tap, we have to tap into it turn their light bulbs on, because we all have one. We just have to tap. We have to do it now, do you tell?
Speaker 2:young kids about the htm industry do you most? Oh yeah, most definitely. Yeah, it's so, as I said earlier, as, as you go, you're promoting and branding it right, and so a big piece of my deal is, you know, um, what I do do, um, so I definitely. I actually use the htm in the box, sometimes from different for different pieces of it. Um, and then myself, as an example, I have a whole little video mock-up thing I do to introduce myself, and that's the big part of it, and I always come back to it and then I um, um, start at the, the piece of equipment and what it does, so they can kind of get a visual for what it is and then take it back to like now in the background, somebody works on that and makes it happen, and I can see the connection during those times too.
Speaker 1:So, most definitely, so about how many years now, you'll say, you've been talking with the young kids and doing after school programs?
Speaker 2:Oh well, in after school programs. Oh well, well. And after school programs um. Since 2011, that's 14 years wow so and so, in those 14 years, how many kids you think you've touched?
Speaker 2:oh, man, man, thousands, thousands and thousands. Yeah, um, and I guess I have a. I have some rough notes. I need to really go back on it because I have this deal where in the coding classes I did where I have that actual log of signing in and that was over a few thousand in that piece of it and so over the years, wow. That's awesome Now it's been thousands of students.
Speaker 1:Thousands of kids and that makes people may hear that and say man, that's got to be. But just the fact you're reaching out that thousand comes real fast. You know, it's not like you have to go far to find a thousand kids, like people may think. Not really easy to find a thousand kids. Now out thousand, let's just say 14, 000. I give you a thousand a year. Can you share one story about a child or group of kids who are positive, had a positive impact from your efforts? Can you share one story?
Speaker 1:oh, wow I have a few, well, your favorite, one, one or two.
Speaker 2:So okay, one of them and and, like you know, a lot of times you're planting seeds right because you you get them for a summer camp or you have them for a semester, so you don't know the end results completely, but I do know. One time one of my friends I have I need to go find a picture, I have a picture of it I had these two young girls. They were fifth graders and they did not want to code, they did not want to participate, and I pulled up Black Girls Code on their computer and when they saw it, the little girl said she looked like me. And I got a picture of them just all of a sudden on the code, because they saw an image of some little girls that were doing it too, and that was one of my breakthrough moments of seeing. Like you know, it's all about exposure and kids need to see it sometimes.
Speaker 2:Um, so that was one. Whether they kept doing it or not, I don't know, but I do know at that moment you know they, they participated and for the rest of the semester, that light just by seeing that moment, that light bulb?
Speaker 2:yes, sir. Um, then I have. Well, I have several students that went on to college and stuff like that. But another one I'd like to share, and this is not a kid, it's an adult. She my school program, she became one of my assistants and she got so into it. She decided to go to school and get her a tech degree, associate's, and she's now working for an IT company and doing very well, and so that, right, there is one of my favorite stories.
Speaker 1:Yes, sir, so she got influence indirectly. Yes, sir. Now what do you think kids need most today? And what would you think kids need most today? And what would you think it would be if you had to say, because you know, everybody always say, the kids today are different, but what do you think kids need the most today?
Speaker 2:Kids are different, but kids are the same as we were when we were little. They need attention, they need guidance, positive guidance, and they need exposure to the possibilities and they need reassurance that they are capable of doing those things, that they get exposed to those extra things, because I think a lot especially the kids that are in the urban schools and different areas where I work it's just they don't know what they can do because they only see the environment around them a lot of times. So they need some people who care to come in and talk with all that said mentorship and kind of point them in a certain direction. Hey, look over here.
Speaker 2:You see that you know what you can do. That too, you know. You can be that, you should. You know experiment. And part of my class is, you know, my deal is dream, explore, create, and you don't have to try to be something, but I just want you to like think about and look at things differently and try stuff, things differently and try stuff. You know, and that's kind of what I go to the schools to do is to help their dream you can have, give them something to explore and, you know, let them see that they can create awesome man.
Speaker 1:Now I know you relocated, so do you plan on expanding the work for kids?
Speaker 2:and most definitely yes, sir, sir, yeah, I'm already mapping it out and I can't wait to, you know, expand my territory, learn the you know area around here and get started. I'm going to start, of course, this semester. Spring semester is the perfect time for after school career days and things of that nature. And, yeah, rare days and things of that nature. I'll get my after school programming restarted out here.
Speaker 1:How do you go about just starting an after school program? Is that something that takes a lot of work? That's just something you can't just.
Speaker 2:I guess it does, but it doesn't. You have to be when you're a creative person. Can I tell you how it started?
Speaker 1:Yeah, go ahead.
Speaker 2:Okay, so I owned a recording studio. After a while, you know, as things started getting digitalized, the studio was less a big full-scale studio is not needed as much right, because kids can do things on their computers. And so it came a time I wasn't really recording bands anymore. It was people bringing me their messed up mixes and want me to fix it, or coming with some beats and rapping on top of it. So it was no longer fun anymore because the creativity was getting taken away from it. And so I made a pivot because people didn't know how to mix and created a program that I called the Media Arts Program.
Speaker 2:I put together this whole brochure and all this kind of stuff and I went to a high school I didn't know after school program existed and just said, hey, I have something that I want to do after school for the kids. And I didn't know about that school program. And they said do you have an appointment with the principal? I said no, I just have this. You know, I got this brochure. I want to talk to him about it, and the after-school program director just happened to be in the office that day. He took it and he's like man, this is what we need, and I was at a high school.
Speaker 2:They allowed me to build a studio, the kids to build a studio from ground up and we recorded, wrote screenplays, put on, you know, for the community, put on plays. They performed they, you know, for the community to put on plays. They performed. They did the lights, they did the curtains and everything. And so I think I went off track because you were questioning. But so for me, creating an after school program happened, you know, organically, I guess you can say, except for me taking the time to be crazy enough to create a program that nobody asked for. And after that I was in the door and so I just kept expanding. So I went from the media arts program to coding classes and drone classes and things of that nature. So how do you create an after school program? Have a vision, have a dream, really care about the kids and go forth with it. You know there's a need for it, and there's a need if you step in if there's work to do.
Speaker 1:Tech Choice Awards. Somebody I know is up for Director Manager of the Year. This award here is also sponsored by NW Imaging, so how do you feel about that nomination?
Speaker 2:I mean, I feel I feel real good about the nomination. It's always good to be nominated and recognized for your work and, uh, what's good about that is it comes from from your peers, or from your, from your, your people, right, and so they nominate you. So there's always a I say a a blessing to be recognized in that manner. Well, congratulations on your nomination, man.
Speaker 1:I wish you nothing but the best. Thank you, and Doug always appreciate you, man, and if you ever want to come on the show again, you're welcome Anytime to promote your book. I'll be glad to assist any way I can, and what you're doing with the kids is dear to my heart because I'm the same way. I like to reach out to the young ones. They are our future and that's not just a cliche.
Speaker 1:That's a fact and what you're doing is great and it's appreciated. My brother and I thank you for coming on now. I appreciate it. Do you have any final words you want to share with the HTM industry in closing?
Speaker 2:oh man, this is the kind of stuff to freestyle. I just want to say that everything I said in the interview but anybody listening to this, I'm pretty sure you're connected and you're in the industry, and so I would just like to leave a note that the little nugget that make sure as you go you're promoting the field, cause you never know who you might touch and influence to to join us in advancing HTM. That's my piece.
Speaker 1:Sir, appreciate you, man. Thank you again for coming on, man. You much appreciate it. As we wrap up today's episode of HTM on the line, I hope you're walking away with more than just knowledge. I hope you're inspired.
Speaker 1:Douglas Redwine has reminded us of the power of mentorship, the importance of leadership and the necessity of passing on the torch in our field. His story is proof that HTM isn't just a career. It's a calling where passion and purpose intersect. Htm industry. Doug's advice to become a walking brand for HTM and to promote the field wherever you go is a challenge we all need to embrace. If we don't shine a light on what we do, who will?
Speaker 1:And for anyone listening who's outside our industry, let this episode be your introduction to the people behind the technology that keeps healthcare alive. We're more than fix-it people. We're problem solvers, innovators and lifesavers. Doug, thank you for sharing your journey, your vision and your wisdom. The work you're doing to inspire the next generation and elevate the HTM industry is nothing short of extraordinary To all our listeners. Remember this your impact is greater than you realize and the future of HTM depends on all of us stepping up to lead, to mentor and to innovate. Thank you for tuning in and if this episode moved, you share it with someone who needs to hear it. Don't forget to subscribe for more inspiring stories and conversations. This is Brian Hawkins Sr signing off. Until next time, stay motivated, stay committed and stay on the line. Y'all be safe out there.
