Chapter Town Hall: Northeast: Safety

Andrew Melnyczenko's combined military and civilian experience in Hyperbaric Medicine spans 23 years. He is the Technical and Safety Director of the Hyperbaric and Altitude Medicine Program at the Mayo Clinic. He is also a UHMS member and serves as the chair of the UHMS safety committee. Andrew’s professional interests lie in education, emergency preparedness, and advancing the practical use of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy.

Chae Bliss, a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Florida. Currently serving as a critical care Nurse at HCA-Ocala Regional Hospital, in Neuro ICU. Chae brings valuable experience to the hyperbaric community. Her passion for finding the answers to hard questions and commitment to improving patient safety is evident through her active participation in research.

Richard, widely knows by the nickname, "Gus", has over fourty-eight years experience in clinical, supervisory, teaching, staff and middle management positions in acute care hospitals.

This experience includes forty years as a Respiratory Therapist, twenty years as EMT-I, twenty-three years as a Naval Reserve Hospital Corpsman, twenty-three years in Hyperbaric Medicine, eighteen years’ experience in wound and burn care, and nineteen years as a Registered Nurse.

Experience in hyperbaric medicine has included Technical Director, Program Director, Nurse Manager and Critical Care Educator specific to hyperbaric medicine.

Member and Special Expert for the National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 99 Technical Committee, Hyperbaric and Hypobaric Facilities –March 20, 2023 to Present

Currently, Gus teaches hyperbaric medicine across the U.S. and beyond, serves as the Principle for R.B. Gustavson Consultants, LLC, and is studying with Walden University Online, looking forward to earning his Doctor of Public Health.

Shawn Parker, University of Georgia, Paramedic x 15 years, Commercial Gas Diving Medical Technician x 2 years.  He is currently the Program Director of HBOT for the Helen L. and Martin S. Kimmel Hyperbaric & Advanced Wound Healing Center at NYU Langone/UHMS Accredited

Tiffany Hosey is a dedicated member of the hyperbaric community, wife, and mother of three children. Her heart for serving others through roles as a technician, program director, safety director, UHMS Facility Accreditation Surveyor, and course instructor has been happily fulfilled over the past 18 years. She holds certifications through the National Board of Diving and Hyperbaric Technology and American Board of Wound Healing. Tiffany has gained extensive expertise in multiplace and monoplace chamber operations, as well as, critical care and outpatient settings.

Driven by a passion for safety, research, and continuous education, Tiffany believes that learning is a lifelong endeavor.

Dr. Alleman is board certified in undersea and hyperbaric medicine, occupational medicine, and addiction medicine.  He was the chairman of the committee that formulated the guidelines for work as an inside attendant and is the chairman of the committee that is revising these guidelines.  He is co-course director and teaches at the Medical Examiner of Diver course in New Orleans and the Physicians Training in Diving Medicine Course in San Diego.  He is currently the chairman of the Physicians Diving Advisory Committee (PDAC) of the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI).  He is currently a corresponding member for the Diving Medical Advisory Committee (DMAC) for the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA).