HSPA is a vigorous advocate for Sterile Processing (SP) professionals and patients in state legislatures across the country. This initiative is spearheaded by the HSPA Advocacy Team, working hand-in-hand with HSPA Chapters. The team formulates legislative and regulatory strategies for educating state-elected officials on the critical role of SP professionals, and our hard work is paying off!

In episode 139, host Casey Czarnowski speaks with Josephine Colacci, HSPA’s Director of Government Affairs, along with Lori Ferrer and Matt Thell of the Minnesota Sterile Processing Association (MNSPA) about the successful legislative effort in Minnesota. The guests discuss the experience of working with HSPA on passing certification legislation, reasons and strategies for pursuing this legislation, and upcoming initiatives nationwide. To learn more, listen in and visit the HSPA Advocacy page.

Link: https://myhspa.org/about/advocacy

Our Guests:

Lori Ferrer
Lori Ferrer, BS, CST, CRCST, is retired after a healthcare career spanning over 46 years. Ferrer was Director of the System Central Sterile Services Department (CSSD) at M Health Fairview in Minneapolis, which was honored by Healthcare Purchasing News as the 2020 SPD of the Year. Ferrer is the founder and past president of the Western Wisconsin Sterile Processing Professionals (WWSPP) and a past president of MNSPA. She served as 3M/IAHCSMM Sister Educational Ambassador to Taiwan and an instructor in Surgical Technology and Central Service Technician programs.

Matthew Thell

Matthew Thell, BSB, CRCST, CHL, is the System Program Manager for High-Level Disinfection and Sterilization Practice at M Health Fairview. He brings 13 years of experience in high-level disinfection, sterilization and lean process facilitation to his role. Throughout his career, Thell has overseen multiple renovation projects, implemented competency training programs, led process improvement initiatives, and demonstrated a strong commitment to enhancing departmental performance. He was the president of MNSPA from 2024 to 2025 and chaired the Minnesota High-Level Disinfection Task Force through APIC from 2023 to 2024.

Josephine Colacci

Josephine Colacci, Esq., has been the Director of Government Affairs for HSPA since 2010. She has 20 years of experience in healthcare public policy at the state and federal levels. In 11 states, she has drafted legislation that has resulted in 15 laws. Colacci holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Colorado State University and a law degree from the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. She is a licensed attorney in Colorado, Wyoming and Washington, D.C.

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