Live Webinar: Tuesday, August 25th, 2026

Description: Tune in monthly and join HSPA’s Certification Department to hear program updates, ask questions regarding your application requirements, and chat with department leadership. This month's Town Hall will provide an overview of the upcoming Certified Healthcare Leader (CHL) Pilot Exam, including eligibility requirements, the application process, important timelines, and what participants can expect throughout the pilot testing experience. 

 Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the purpose and structure of the CHL Pilot Exam

2. Identify key changes, and updates to the CHL exam content outline

3. Understand the new eligibility requirements and important pilot exam deadlines

4. Explain how to apply and what participants can expect throughout the pilot testing experience

No CE is offered for this webinar

July–December 2026 

Second Thursday of each month, 11 a.m.–12 noon CT 

Education is the foundation of patient safety, helping Sterile Processing departments (SPDs) develop and maintain the highest standards. Investing in training and education supports compliance and efficiency while empowering technicians and building stronger teams. 

New for 2026, this webinar series was created to provide an advanced understanding of SP education. It will help guide educators, new and experienced, through SP challenges and provide tools that can be used to develop robust educational programs. 

Each webinar is a live event with a recording available afterward. Complete all six webinars to receive six continuing education (CE) credits. Cost: $79 HSPA members, $150 non-members

On Demand Webinar: Tuesday, July 21st, 2026

Description: Tune in monthly and join HSPA’s Certification Department to hear program updates, ask questions regarding your application requirements, and chat with department leadership. This month will focus on HSPA’s online Learning Center and continuing education offerings.

 Learning Objectives:

1. Review HSPA’s educational offerings

2. Learn how to login and access the Learning Center

3. Understand how to register, view, and submit CE online

No CE is offered for this webinar

Certified Endoscope Reprocessor (CER) lessons provide members with ongoing education focusing on the maintenance and handling of endoscopes. These lessons are designed for CER recertification, but can be of value to any CRCST

This lesson is set to expire August 31st, 2030

Directions:

1. Click the "Handouts" tab to download and read the Lesson Plan
2. Click the "Contents" tab to begin the Quiz

Sterile Processing (SP) professionals are uniquely positioned to thrive in Infection Prevention (IP), but making the career leap can feel overwhelming. In this webinar, Garrett Hollembeak explores how SP professionals can transition into IP roles by building on their existing expertise, leveraging certification pathways and aligning with infection prevention goals. As the complexity of medical device reprocessing increases and the margin for error decreases, infection preventionists with frontline sterile processing experience are necessary to patient safety. Tune in to learn how to prepare for a career in IP, address the unique challenges of this transition, and make a compelling case for why SP professionals are not only qualified but essential to this evolving field.

Guest Speaker: 

Garrett Hollembeak is an experienced infection preventionist with a background in sterile processing, regulatory compliance and epidemiology. He currently serves as a System Infection Preventionist – Medical Device Reprocessing at Bon Secours Mercy Health. Prior to this role, Hollembeak worked for Cincinnati Children's Hospital's Sterile Processing department, where he gained frontline experience as a technician, instrument coordinator and department manager. He holds certifications in Infection Prevention and Control (CIC) and medical device reprocessing (CRCST, CIS, CER, CHL). Hollembeak is an educator, frequent speaker and content creator with a mission to bridge the gap between sterile processing and infection prevention.

In this three-part series, Doretha Bailey examines the importance of critical-thinking skills in the Sterile Processing department (SPD). In part two, she reviews strategies for enhancing critical-thinking skills. Sharing examples from her department’s training and education programs, Bailey explains how to promote a culture of inquiry and continuous improvement.

Guest Speaker: 

Doretha Bailey is the systemwide Sterile Processing educator at Memorial Herman Health Systems in Houston. In her current role, Bailey engages with the entire perioperative team, developing educational programs, providing professional development related to sterile processing, and serving as a mentor. She also helped create a sterile processing educational program for Houston City College. Bailey has a proven record of success, consistently helping other healthcare professionals pass their certification exams.

As a new educator, Yohaira Espinal felt the weight of continuous training and was witnessed the challenges her preceptors faced. These realizations led her on a two-year journey to create an improved method for training and onboarding new staff members. In this webinar, Espinal describes her path and outlines an in-depth course that transforms the first week of training into a strong foundation for continuous learning.

Guest Speaker: 

Yohaira Espinal, MSN, RN, CRCST, CHL, CFER, has 23 years of nursing experience. She attended nursing school at Antillean Adventist University in Puerto Rico and has had the privilege to serve in the perioperative environment for about 18 years, practicing within Pre/Post-Op, PACU and GI Lab areas. Espinal has been with Loma Linda University Medical Center for 10 years. In her current role, she is the Educator for the SPD and GI Lab in 2020, serving five hospital campuses. Espinal strives to improve training programs and empower learners to position them for success.

Infection preventionists (IPs) are often viewed as the “audit police,” showing up, pointing out mistakes, and leaving people feeling anxious or discouraged. Too often, audits feel one-sided with Sterile Processing (SP) teams being told what to do but not why. Without context, internal audits can feel punitive rather than protective. In this webinar, Eva Ghabrial explains how her team initiated a conscious shift from enforcement to partnership. She explores how intentional listening and meaningful education helped others view IPs not as critics but as supporters and, following the change, how compliance improved naturally.

Guest Speaker: 

Eva Ghabrial is an experienced Infection Preventionist working at Loma Linda University Health. She holds two master's degrees in addition to infection control and sterile processing certifications. Ghabrial’s passion for safe patient care and education is clearly displayed in her role overseeing all high-level disinfection (HLD) activities at the academic Level 1 trauma center that spreads over four campuses. She actively contributes to advancing clinical practice through promoting engaging and meaningful staff education. Before moving to California in 2013, Ghabrial practiced as an OB/GYN physician for almost 20 years in her home country of Egypt.

In this three-part series, Doretha Bailey examines the importance of critical-thinking skills in the Sterile Processing department (SPD). In part three, she expands on how to teach critical-thinking skills using real-world scenarios. Through case studies and simulations, Bailey demonstrates how to use critical thinking to enhance problem solving, increase readiness and promote team building. 

Guest Speaker: 

Doretha Bailey is the systemwide Sterile Processing educator at Memorial Herman Health Systems in Houston. In her current role, Bailey engages with the entire perioperative team, developing educational programs, providing professional development related to sterile processing, and serving as a mentor. She also helped create a sterile processing educational program for Houston City College. Bailey has a proven record of success, consistently helping other healthcare professionals pass their certification exams.

Keeping surgical instruments functioning properly and extending their useful life does not happen by accident. It requires focused effort from everyone who uses, handles and cares for the devices, including Sterile Processing (SP) teams.

In episode 155, host Casey Czarnowski speaks with Jake McHugh and Jeremy Barnell of Agiliti about the instrument repair process. The guests explain the advantages and limitations of the instrument repair truck, discussing what on-site repairs are possible and encouraging technicians to tour a mobile repair unit (MRU). McHugh and Barnell discuss effective preventative maintenance strategies, including the importance of inspection and the advantages of tracking instrument usage cycles. Listen for tips on strengthening the partnership with your repair vendor and ensuring your instruments are safe, functional and available when needed.

ABOUT OUR GUESTS

Jake McHugh Clinical Education and Training Specialist Agiliti

Jake McHugh, CRCST, CIS, CHL, CER, conducts audits and provides educational support to Sterile Processing and Endoscopy departments nationwide. As president of the First Coast Sterile Processing Association HSPA Chapter, McHugh brings over 18 years of extensive experience in Sterile Processing. He has held various roles, including Technician, Instrument Specialist, Tracking System Coordinator, and Process Improvement Auditor. Additionally, he has taught certification classes at community colleges and served on advisory boards. McHugh’s commitment to sharing knowledge is evident in his numerous presentations at APIC chapter meetings, hospital talks and appearances on podcasts. His passion lies in making processing knowledge accessible and comprehensible to others in the field.

Jeremy Barnell Director of Project Management, Surgical Equipment Repair Agiliti

Jeremy Barnell has spent more than 18 years in the surgical equipment repair industry, working across operations, sales, customer strategy and education. His work focuses on helping healthcare teams better understand their repair activity, reduce avoidable damage, and make informed decisions with their equipment programs. Barnell also helps lead education efforts that support better care and handling of surgical equipment in the field. His perspective comes from years of hands-on repair experience and a strong belief that better visibility, communication and education make a real difference for healthcare professionals.

The code required for CE credit will be mentioned during the podcast.  Please make note of the code when you hear it to complete the quiz at the end for CE credit.