Jay Sommers
Lifetime Technical Achievement Award
2002
Kimberly-Clark
Biographical Details
Jay R. Sommers, Ph.D., was the Director of Clinical and Scientific
Documentation for Health Care, Kimberly-Clark Corporation. He received
his B.S. degree in Chemistry from Brooklyn College of the City University of
New York and his Ph.D. degree in Organic Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Sommers began his professional career as a research scientist with the DuPont
Co. before joining Johnson & Johnson as a senior research scientist. He
held several management positions at J&J including Director, Product Development
in their Surgikos division. He was also named Director, Product Development—Family
Products at International Playtex, Inc.
Dr. Sommers joined Kimberly-Clark as Director, Feminine Care R&D and has
held several positions including Director, Corporate Science & Technology. He
holds seven U.S. patents on disposable medical devices. He is a member
of the Surgical Infection Society, European Sterilization Packaging Association,
International Society for Infectious Diseases, American Chemistry Society, American
Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, American Society of Testing and
Materials, National Fire Protection Association, Association for the Advancement
of Medical Instrumentation, and serves on several ISO committees.
Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
High School: Eramus
Hall High School
Brooklyn,
New York
College: Brooklyn
College of City University of New York
Brooklyn,
New York
B.S.,
Chemistry
Graduate: University
of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh,
Pennsylvania
Ph.
D., Organic Chemistry
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
- European Sterilization Packaging Association (ESPA)
- Member of the Board of Directors of the Barrier Test Consortium (BTC), an
independent company established under the direction of ESPA - ISO/TC 172/SC 9/WG 4 – Laser Systems for Medical Applications
- ISO/TC 94/SC 13/WG 6 – Protective Clothing for Hazardous Biological
Agents - Surgical Infection Society (SIS)
- International Society for Infectious Diseases (ISID)
- Asia Pacific Society of Infection Control (APSIC)
- Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI)
- American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)
- National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)
- American Society for Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC)
- American Chemical Society (ACS)
- Sigma Xi
Career
KIMBERLY-CLARK CORPORATION 1983—2006
Director of Clinical and Scientific Documentation,
Professional Health Care (1999—2006)
Leading the clinical and scientific studies program for Professional Health
Care on a Global basis. Coordinating the U.S. and international participation
in technical and industry associations.
Manager of Clinical and Scientific Documentation,
Professional Health Care (1990 – 1999)
Originating, coordinating, funding, reviewing, and reporting clinical and
scientific studies.
Managing the documentation program for Professional Health
Care, including the Global Business Units. Developing new surgical products for
the U.S. and European markets.
Director of Research, Corporate Science & Technology (1987 – 1990)
Led twenty scientists in the research and development of odor control mechanisms,
new nonwoven processes, new composite materials, nonwoven surface modification
treatments, and environmentally-compatible materials.
Director, Feminine Care Research & Development (1983 – 1987)
Hired twenty-two professionals in rebuilding this department. Led K-C’s
resurgence in the tampon business, including the development of a revolutionary
new product. Directed the development of several new external sanitary
protection devices.
INTERNATIONAL PLAYTEX, INC. 1981 – 1983
Director of Product Development – Family Products R&D
Supervised a staff of thirty-three scientists and technicians in the development
of new products and line extensions for tampons, external sanitary protection,
baby feeding systems and gloves. Coordinated claim support activities with
Marketing and Legal. Interacted with Manufacturing to introduce cost savings
project and process improvements.
JOHNSON & JOHNSON 1969 – 1981
Manager, Fiber, Technology, Johnson & Johnson Products Company (1980 – 1981)
Organized a new process technology group to meet J&J’s strategic
plan.
Commercialized an improved non-stick adhesive bandage, a new non-stick
burn dressing, and a unique nonwoven fabric gauze sponge replacement.
Director of Product Development, SURGIKOS (1976 – 1980)
Director the product and packaging development for SURGIKOS’ product
line – operating rooms packs and accessories, operating room apparel, biomedical
devices (e.g., blood filters, oxygenators, etc.), absorbable hemostats, vascular
grafts, and new fabric treatments.
Surgical Specialty Division (1969 – 1976)
Advanced from Senior Research Scientist to Manager. Supervised the development
and commercialization of Fabric 450®, a new nonwoven material for surgical
drapes and gowns. Commercialized the first water repellent surgical fabric
that was stable in an ethylene oxide sterilization cycle. Developed and
patented the first non-slip foam instrument pad.
E. I. duPONT deNEMOURS & COMPANY 1965 – 1969
Organic Chemicals Department
Prepared and evaluated new fluorinated polymers
for oil/water fabric repellents, soil resistant finished, and surfactants.
PATENTS
- “Non-Slip Instrument Pad,” U.S.P. 3,738,359
- “Central Venous Catheter Patient Cover,” U.S.P. 5,140,996
- “Surgical Eye Mask,” U.S.P. 5,425,380
- “Surgical Gown Sleeve,” U.S.P. 5,594,955
- “Surgical Glove Retainer,” U.S.P. 5,693,401
- “An Equipment Drape for Use With a Magnetic Resonance Imaging Device,” U.S.P.
6,105,578 - “Method of Making High Intensity Light Restraint Instruments Pads,” U.S.P.
6,165,625
PUBLICATIONS
- Ph.D. Thesis – “Part I: ‘Alkylation and Acylation
of Some Pyrazine Derivatives.’ Part II: ‘Certain Condensations
Effected by 2,6 – Dimethoxyphenyllithium,’” September
1965. - “Certain Condensations Effected by 2,6 – Dimethoxyphenyllithium,
Journal of Organic Chemistry, 1974; 39(24):3559-3564. - “Hospital and Flammable
Fabrics: California Case History,” Fire
Journal, 1972;66(3):23-24. - “Multiple-Use vs. Single-Use Medical Devices,” Medical
Textiles, May 1996, pp. 5-6. - 1991 Annual Fall Meeting of the Biomedical Engineering
Society (Poster Session) – “Blood
Permeability of Nonwoven Surgical Gowns,” October 1991. - “Personal
Protective Apparel: Testing for the Anticipated Level of Exposure” (contributor),
Infection Control Today, 1997;1(1):32-41. - “Flammability Standards for Surgical
Drapes and Gowns – Past,
Present, and Future,” Surgical Services Management, 1998;4(2):41-44. - Authored 71 Technical Information Bulletins for Professional Health Care’s
Documentation Program (Blood Barrier Studies, Competitive Products, Operating
Room Environment, Flammability, and Infection Control Products). - Sponsored and
authorized the publication of “Infection Control for
the Health Care Worker,” L.G. Donowitz (1st, 2nd, and 3rd editions). Over
120,000 copies have been printed and distributed as an educational tool to health
care workers. - American College of Surgeons 85th Clinical Congress, San Francisco,
CA, October 10-15, 1999, Poster Session (SE 309) – “Operating Room
Environment: Dispersion of Lint and Microbial Particulates During Surgery.” - Association
for Professional in Infection Control and Epidemiology, (APIC), 28th Annual Meeting,
Seattle, WA, June 10-13, 2001.
Poster Session #47: “Acquisition and Dissemination
of Nosocomial Isolates on Reusable Sphygmomanometers.”
Poster Session #58: “Surveillance of Aspergillus in the Hospital
Environment During Renovation/Demolition.” - “Einsatz von SMS (Spunbond-Meltblown-Spunbond)
als medizinische Textile” (“Use
of SMS as Medical Fabric”), Krankenhaushygiene und Infektionsverhütung,
2002; 24 (2): 1-4.
PRESENTATIONS
- “Multiple-Use vs. Single-Use Medical Devices” –
- Joint Conference of World Federation for Central Service in Healthcare and
European Society for Hospital Sterile Supply, Amsterdam, August 1995. - EDANA Annual Meeting, Geneva, February 1996.
- European Sterile Packaging Association Conference, “Medical Packaging-Maintaining
the Standard,” Vienna, September 1996. - Invited to represent the United States in the “U.S. Infectious Disease
Specialists People to People Program to Chine,” March 1997. - “Are Surgical Drapes Safe for Laser Surgery” –
- 17th Annual Meeting of American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, Inc.,
Phoenix, April 1997. - 9th Congress of the International YAG Laser Symposium and the Annual Meeting
of Laser Medicine Society, R.O.C., Taipei, July 1997. - Australian Confederation of Operating Room Nurses, Perth, May 1998.
- Microbial and Blood Penetration of Single-Use vs. Multiple-Use Medical Fabrics” –
- XXII Brazilian Congress of Surgery, Recife, September 1997.
- Vereniging Van Vlaamse Operatieverpleegkundigen (Flemish Association of Theatre
Nurses), Blankenberge, Belgium, May 1998. - XVII Course About Surgical Infections, Medical School of Santiago de Compostela,
Spain, June 1998. - AICO (Association of Italian Operating Room Nurses), Belaria, Italy, April
14, 2000. - “Linting and Microbial Aerosols in the Interoperative Environment” –
- Blackpool Victoria Hospital, Blackpool, U.K., May 1998.
- Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford, U.K. July 22, 1999.
- AORN of Puerto Rico, San Juan, P.R., July 8, 2000.
- “Sterilization Techniques and Infection Control Symposium” –
- Buenos Aires, Argentina, November 1998.
- Singapore Nurses Association, May 23, 1999.
- “Are Surgical Drapes Safe for Laser Surgery? Current Standards
and Test Methods,” 1999 International Laser Safety Conference, Orlando,
FL, March 8-11, 1999. - “Emerging Infectious Disease Threats” –
- Osaka Infection Control Study Group Meeting, Osaka, Japan, May31, 1999.
- Materials Management Association of Florida, Port Canaveral, FL, September
24, 1999. - Central Indiana Chapter, International Association of Healthcare Central
Service Material Management (IAHCSMM), October 12, 1999. - “Making Quality Purchasing Decisions,” Materials Management of
Florida, Port Canaveral, FL, September 24, 1999. - Educational Symposia: San Antonio, TX (October 14, 1999); AORN
of Puerto Rico (July 8, 2000). - Toronto Area Surgical Gown Symposia: “Single-Use vs. Multiple-Use – An
Educated Choice,” Toronto, Canada, September 21, 2000. - Flammability Workshop (“Surgical Gowns and Drapes: They are
NOT Created Equal”): Association of periOperative Registered Nurses
(AORN), New Orleans, LA (April 4-6, 2000); Dallas, TX (March 14-15, 2001); Anaheim,
CA (April 23-25, 2002); European Association of Operating Room Nurses (EORNA),
Bergen, Norway (May 11-14, 2001). - Precautions Guidelines and Infections Diseases” –
- IAHCSMM Fall Meeting, Birmingham, AL, November 7, 2000.
- California Central Services Association (CCSA), San Jose, CA, July 21, 2001.
- Educational Symposia: King Edward VII Hospital, London, U.K. (March
30, 2001); United Lincolnshire Trust, Nottingham, U.K. (April 30, 2002); Broomfield
Hospital, Chelmsford, U.K. (May 2, 2002). - “TB. The Epidemic,” South African Theatre Sisters (SATS) 2001
Congress, Johannesburg, S.A., May 23, 2001. - “EVOLUTION® Surgical Fabric,” Association of Italian
Sterilization Operations (AIOS), Ravenna, Italy, October 13, 2001. - “Event-Related Sterility Maintenance,” European Forum of Hospital
Sterile Supply (EFHSS), Bruges, Belgium, November, 6, 2001.
