Industry Insider: An Inside Look at Sechrist Industries, Inc.

  Today’s Wound Clinic recently interviewed Monica Gutierrez, Vice President Marketing and Customer Development, at Sechrist Industries, Inc. Monica spoke about her company’s mission and goals for the future.

  Today’s Wound Clinic (TWC): How long have you (personally) been in the wound care and how did you enter this area of healthcare?
  Monica Gutierrez (MG): I have been in wound care industry for almost 9 years; I was lucky enough to basically just fall into this area of healthcare. I was re-entering the workforce and landed a job with a growing wound management company.

  TWC: What do you find most rewarding about providing products to medical directors and wound care clinicians?
  MG: The most rewarding part of working with wound care professionals is watching the commitment and dedication they all have toward their patients. Every wound care clinician that I have worked with loves their job, their peers and most importantly their patients.

  TWC: Describe the mission/vision of your company?
  MG: Our commitment to quality is to develop, manufacture, market, sell and continuously improve products that meet or exceed our customer’s expectations.

  TWC: How many different types/series of products do you make?
  MG: We manufacture three models of hyperbaric chambers – H Series (three sizes, including the 4100H which is the largest chamber in the industry), electronic chambers (two sizes) and a pneumatic chamber. We also offer an infant ventilator and air/oxygen gas mixer product line.




  TWC: Which would you say is your highest selling product, and why do you feel it is so popular?
  MG: Our most popular model is our pneumatic monoplace hyperbaric system. The main reason for its popularity is its reliability, longevity and the quality of the product. We have produced pneumatic systems since 1973 and have thousands of these installed worldwide. This is truly the gold standard of hyperbaric chambers.

  TWC: What would you say makes your company unique?
  MG: Our people make us unique! From those who manufacture the chambers to our technical service team to our customer service team, everyone at Sechrist is committed to providing the highest level of quality and service. This commitment to quality shows in every aspect of our products and service. We are all passionate to providing the best.




  TWC: How to you make sure that clinicians are properly trained on your products?
  MG: During every installation, our Sechrist technicians provide the Center staff with a full in-service on our chambers. The daily operation and upkeep is carefully reviewed; we go over the regular maintenance of the chamber as well as provide tips for how to best keep the chambers in excellent working condition and for troubleshooting basic chamber repairs. Also, if clinicians attend the various UHMS hyperbaric courses that are held across the US, they will more than likely be trained on a Sechrist monoplace hyperbaric chamber since almost all of the UHMS course locations have Sechrist chambers!

  TWC: Please tell our readers something about your company that they may not know?
  MG: Most of our employees have been with Sechrist for over 10 years! That is why our commitment to quality and service is second to none.

  TWC: Please describe any of your company’s goals for the future that you would like to highlight?
  MG: Our main goal is to help bring hyperbaric oxygen therapy to every community. The benefits of HBO treatments need to be readily available to all those who can benefit. We are also hopeful that new indications will be added – there is a lot of exciting research being conducted that broaden the use of HBO to help many more patients.

  TWC: Looking ahead, what are some initiatives that the company is working on for 2011 and beyond?
  MG: We are continually striving to meet the needs of our customers by adding new features and enhancement to our products. It is our goal to continue to improve our product line by listening to our customers and using their valuable input to make our products the best in the market.

  TWC: Are there any trends in wound care that you and your executives are monitoring closely?
  MG: We are extremely interested in watching the new developments in the application of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and traumatic brain injury for both our veterans and for those suffering from concussions and repeated head trauma as seen in athletes. The research currently being done is extremely exciting and we think that is an area that will be of great benefit to potential patients.

  TWC: What challenge are you seeing in your sector of wound care and how is your company approaching this challenge?
  MG: We have been extremely fortunate that the utilization of hyperbarics in the wound care arena has continued to increase and we have not seen too many challenges arise.

  TWC: What do you feel are the most important aspects of the products you make that Consumers should be looking for when purchasing products?
  MG: When reviewing your hyperbaric chamber options, be sure to think about your long-term investment in not only the equipment, but also the company and people behind the equipment! With a Sechrist hyperbaric chamber you are not only getting a chamber, but you are getting the support and dedication of all of our employees. 


  TWC: How can wound care clinicians get in touch with a representative to learn more about your company and products?
  MG: We can be reached at info@sechristusa.com or 800-SECHRIST.