Leadership

Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) 1981
Certified Hyperbaric Technologist (CHT) 1991

With over twenty-six years’ training and experience in hyperbaric oxygen therapy, Bill Gossett has established a solid reputation as a leader in the safe and effective operation of hyperbaric treatment centers. He worked on the design team for one of the country’s most advanced hyperbaric facilities. Bill’s technical and professional training includes respiratory therapy for acute and critical care, hyperbaric medicine training, advanced technical aspects of hyperbaric medicine, hyperbaric safety director training and fire hazards in oxygen systems. In the field of hyperbaric medicine, Bill has hands-on experience with a range of management and medical tasks including: care of critically ill patients, development of safety management systems, hyperbaric and hypobaric (altitude) chamber operations, research and development, personnel training, subcontractor management, standards compliance and development of operating procedures for chamber facilities.In addition to his experience in hyperbaric medicine, Bill has worked in the acute care hospital settings, with nine years’ experience in acute respiratory care. In this capacity he has worked with patients in Level I trauma, intensive care, open-heart and Level II special care nursery. Over the past five years Bill has been involved around the country with multiple hyperbaric consulting projects involving both start-up programs and existing hyperbaric programs. As part of the design team for state-of-the-art facilities, he has worked with leading manufacturers of hyperbaric chambers and related equipment. Bill serves as a principal consultant, leading engagement teams for Convergent. As director, he also oversees all of the company’s consulting engagements and is responsible for everything from contract negotiation to post-engagement assessment of client satisfaction.

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering 1983
Professional Engineer, Engineering Council of South Africa 1987
Member of the South African Institute of Mechanical Engineers (MSAIME) 1987
Fellow of the South African Institute of Welding (FSAIW) 1994
Master of Science in Baromedical Sciences 2014

The current chief executive officer of Divers Alert Network of South Africa, Francois Burman is an instructor in the technical aspects of hyperbaric medicine at the university level and is the author of an important reference volume on risk assessment for hyperbaric facilities. A registered mechanical engineer, Francois has served at the senior management level of companies manufacturing hypo/hyperbaric chambers and related equipment since the mid-eighties. As the managing director of Clinical Hyperbaric Services (Pty) Ltd, he was instrumental in the re-emergence of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in South Africa. Francois’ current activities include engineering and management of technology development, mechanical design, and metallurgical services for a range of industrial clients. His work includes management of a portion of a nuclear reactor development program. In 2001 Francois received the Special Award for Contributions to Hyperbaric Safety from the Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Society and the Poseidon Award for Contributions to Hyperbaric Safety from the South African Undersea and Hyperbaric Medical Association. In 2009 he received the SAUHMA Poseidon Award for a second time. In 2005 he received the Divers Alert Network, Europe, award for contributions to diving safety and the UHMS Paul Baker award in 2012. In his role as a principal consultant for Convergent Francois provides consulting services in the areas of hyperbaric facility design, safety, and risk assessment.