TRSA reached out to state leadership to get the linen, uniform and facility services industry included at the top of the priority list for the upcoming rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, TRSA updated its Coronavirus Resource Center at www.trsa.org/covid19 with a letter for companies to use to contact state policymakers regarding vaccine priority as well as a document detailing each state’s vaccine plans.

Emerald Textiles recently announced that Andrew Kratky has joined its executive management team. Kratky will serve as president of California, according to a news release.     

TRSA’s Hygienically Clean Advisory Board and Users Group each reviewed a range of issues related to the Healthcare certification program on the opening day of TRSA’s Dec. 1-3 Virtual Healthcare Conference.

A recent study by a patient safety organization shows that more than 50% of the disposable isolation gowns it tested failed to meet standard levels of protection, putting healthcare workers at risk of exposure to bloodborne or other pathogens, as well as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, according to a news release.

Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) recently visited the APPEARA facility in Norfolk, NE.

Since June, the TRSA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) task force has held regular meetings to review and research resources for members seeking to enhance their understanding of issues that could pose obstacles to promoting open and honest relationships in the workplace. The resources are now available on the TRSA website.

TRSA recently held its annual Healthcare Conference, with roughly 120 executives from the linen, uniform and facility services industry in attendance. This year’s event was shifted to a virtual gathering due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dan Farnsworth, vice president, sales and marketing, Leonard Automatics Inc., Denver, NC, recently was elected to the TRSA Board of Directors for a three-year term. TRSA officially welcomed Farnsworth during the Oct. 22 business meeting at its 107th Annual Conference in Alexandria, VA. As a member of the Board of Directors, Farnsworth will serve on the Executive Committee of the Supplier Council.

The first day of TRSA’s Virtual Healthcare Conference featured a two-hour, CEO/Executive Roundtable session that drew 30-plus healthcare laundry professionals from across North America for a lively discussion of industry issues, particularly the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.