Roy believes there is no greater joy than giving a child and their family the chance of life, especially when in the past, the capability to care for their congenital heart defects were nonexistent and they were sent home to a dismal future.
He first began working with ICHF as a volunteer in 2008. In 2012, Roy joined the team on a full-time basis, and since November of 2014, he has served as the director of biomedical engineering. After his first medical mission in Odessa, Ukraine, he was hooked on helping those less fortunate by helping ICHF fulfill its mission to provide healthcare professionals in developing countries with training and resources to care for their own children with congenital heart defects. In his role, he works with hospitals all over the United States and Canada collecting donated medical equipment, which he re-certifies and sends out where it will help continue saving lives in countries ICHF serves.
Roy’s skill and experience contribute immensely in growing ICHF’s mission to provide life-saving heart surgeries to children in developing countries, and educate local healthcare professional and build sustainable pediatric cardiac programs.
He has trained in electronics and automation and received his degree from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in biomedical instrumentation. He previously served as a service engineer for American Sterilizer Company; district service manager for Stryker Medical; biomedical engineering manager at Arkansas Heart Hospital; and director of clinical engineering at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.
He holds numerous certifications, including:
- AAMI Certified CBET by International Certification Commission
- Amateur Radio – Technician Class (KC5ROY)
- Drager Anesthesia Certification
- GE Datex Ohmeda Anesthesia Certification
- Arrow International Intra-aortic Balloon Pumps
- Datascope Intra-aortic Balloon Pumps
- Laser Repair Technician (CLRT)
Roy is the proud father of his son, Samuel, and husband to his wife of 28 years, Shelby who allows him to do what he does! He is also a certified SCUBA Master Diver.
