RT Cotter and Associates, Inc. (RTCA) is a Massachusetts corporation dedicated to the dissemination and successful application of Joint Commission and OSHA Standards for the healthcare enterprise. Based in Kingston, Massachusetts, RTCA is the preferred supplier of Environment of Care, Health and Safety, Facilities Management and Emergency Management training, consulting, assessment services and tools, for leading healthcare organizations nationwide.
The MSDSdirect™ Division of RTCA is a technology leader in the development of web-based MSDS management systems exclusively serving the healthcare industry.
RTCA delivers pragmatic, cost-effective, lasting solutions that enable our clients to acquire and maintain a practical approach to accreditation, comply with applicable laws, and reduce workplace risk and costs. RT Cotter and Associates, Inc. is committed to industry leading business practices, employing a proven approach, with personal attention, professional experience, and exemplary service to clients.
For more information, contact Sales and Marketing, 781-582-8111 X102 or sales@rtcotter.com. Learn more about MSDSdirect™ at www.MSDSdirect.com.
Richard T. Cotter, MS, Med
President, RT Cotter and Associates, Inc.
Rick has over 25 years experience in providing non-clinical, regulatory compliance and accreditation services to healthcare facilities. His expertise is in the technical areas of life safety, health & safety, hazardous materials, and facilities management coupled with process and performance improvement skills for organizational management.
For 10-years, Rick was the Sr. Vice President for Technical Services at MedSafe, Inc. There he was responsible for managing the technical consulting staff for the accreditation and regulatory compliance services and focused his efforts on The Joint Commission's management of Environment of Care chapters, EPA requirements, OSHA compliance, and hospital decontamination. He also operationalized the MSDSdirect internet-based MSDS management program for MedSafe and currently provides this national service for healthcare facilities under RT Cotter and Associates, Inc. MSDSdirect™ Division. For approximately 12 years prior to MedSafe, Rick worked as a Corporate Executive at Clean Harbors, Inc., a national environmental service company. Among his responsibilities, he managed profit centers dealing with hazardous materials and biological emergencies, hazardous materials transportation systems, a multi-million dollar hazardous materials commercial training program and a Hazardous Material Training Center for chemical spill response.
In 2001, Mr. Cotter acquired the hospital operations and MSDSdirect™ divisions from Medsafe and continues today as president and principal consultant. Rick's pragmatic, cost effective approach toward regulatory compliance is nationally recognized. He is known for the presentations and seminars he conducts for many associations, hospital systems and individual clients.
Rick holds a degree in Biological Sciences (Human Physiology) and graduate degrees in education and environmental sciences, and has been certified in Health and Safety through the OSHA Training Center in Chicago.
Kenneth McGraw
Senior Consultant
Ken has been working in the area of facilities management for approximately 30 years, of which 21 years has been at the executive level. Prior to entering facilities management he received an excellent technical background by working in various trade areas and managing his own contracting business specializing in commercial/residential work in the field of HVAC, electrical, plumbing and carpentry.
In addition to a strong management and technical background, Ken also has extensive knowledge in the following areas of compliance:
- The Joint Commission
- OSHA
- Life Safety Code
- EPA
Ken has led numerous Joint Commission surveys as well as OSHA and EPA inspections. Ken's top priority is assuring that the facility is in a constant state of readiness for spot or scheduled inspections.
Mr. McGraw has also led mock Joint Commission Surveys in an effort to better prepare the facility for an actual survey in the areas covering the Environment of Care, and he has a very broad background and extensive knowledge of all areas covered by Joint Commission requirements for standards and compliance .
Ken was previously employed by The Joint Commission in the position of Life Safety Code Specialist. In this position, he surveyed facilities around the country for compliance with Joint Commission standards as they relate to the Environment of Care and the Life Safety Code.
Having spent his entire Healthcare career in the Ohio area, Ken has worked at facilities of varying sizes, including the Cleveland Clinic, University Hospitals, Lake Hospital System, Saint Vincent's Charity Hospital and Medina General Hospital.
Owen Scanlon
Director, MSDSdirect
Mr. Owen Scanlon, Director of the MSDSdirect Division of RT Cotter and Associates, Inc., holds a BSc. degree in biosciences and postgraduate degree in computer science. As well, he brings many years of management experience providing client services in the medical equipment and pharmaceutical industry in the area of sales, marketing, policy analysis and business development. Mr. Scanlon's education and business experience qualifies him as an integral member of the RTCA Technical Team.
Mr. Scanlon is responsible for the management of the MSDSdirect™ product and related services, as well as account management, the on-going development of the internet-based application, on-site chemical inventories, and the management of the MSDSdirect™ process.
Albert Soule
Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Albert has more than 25 years experience developing and delivering standards-based quality improvement programs in industry, government and academic organizations. Albert has held internationally recognized credentials authorizing him to assess organizational capability and train staff to design and implement organizational change programs leading to improved quality, lower costs and reduced time-to-market. He consulted with leading corporations in aerospace and defense, healthcare, telecommunications and electronics, finance and insurance, and automotive industries.
In addition to his role as consultant, Albert has held responsibility for account management and business development. In these roles, Albert led the sales organization, established the marketing communications program, and grew major accounts by ensuring the high quality of services delivered with superior personal service and commitment to client success.
Ed Tangredi M.S.
Senior Consultant
Ed Tangredi has over 20 years of experience in safety, healthcare operations and emergency management. Especially skilled at regulatory compliance, staff education, emergency management, problem analysis and resolution he has excellent organizational and public relations skills. Ed has had direct responsibility for all the disciplines in the Environment of Care through various management and senior level positions.
Over the last several years he has worked toward enhancing emergency preparedness levels on a regional level encompassing seven counties and over 31 hospitals north of NYC. Besides writing and training on hospital Emergency Operations Plans, he is proficient in exercise design, execution and evaluation. Being HSEEP certified (Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program) he has designed and executed exercises for single hospitals across the United States as well as regional exercises involving over 40 agencies including healthcare, NDMS, fire, police and Public Health.
After September 11th he was instrumental in the foundation of the NY Presbyterian Emergency Management Task Force in transitioning to Incident Command and improving hospital response. He has co-chaired the Hudson Valley Regional Exercise Design Team and through their improvement plans established and co-chair the first MACE Team (Mutual Aid Coordinating Entity) in the State of New York. Charged with operationalizing the hospital Mutual Aid Agreement, the MACE Team has as its motto "Of the Hospitals: For the Hospitals."
In addition Ed has established Emergency Response Teams at several hospitals and he himself is HazWoper certified to the Technical Level and serves on the county Haz Mat Team as an advisor.
Mr. Tangredi comes with organizational skills with an eye for details. He has his 30 hr OSHA Certification and is a trainer for a variety of ICS and Hazardous Materials subject matters.
Ed earned his undergraduate degree in Facilities and Property Management from IONA college where he went to earn his Masters in Healthcare Administration. He is ICS 400 Certified, holds a HAM Radio License and is an EMT. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the NFPA, the National Safety Council and is an active member of the International Association of Emergency Managers.
In addition to his normal responsibilities he is a national speaker on topics of emergency management, the environment of care and the Joint Commission survey process.
