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Meeting Program with correction for 10:30a-11:30a Speakers

2020 Program



Thank you to our 2020 Speakers and Vendors!









Opening Keynote

skEEEter-borne: Eastern Equine Encephalitis Update

— Rodney Rohde, PhD, SM(ASCP)CM, SV(CM), MB(CM), FACs, Global Fellow, Professor, Program Chair & Assoc. Dean, Texas State University

Level: Advanced

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is an extremely rare but serious and often fatal infection that causes encephalitis or inflammation of the brain. It is spread by the bite of a mosquito infection with the EEE virus (EEEV). This session will include a discussion of the history, epidemiology, diagnostics, and update on the current ongoing outbreak.

9:30a-10:30a

Professional Track: Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia: A Tale of Interdisciplinary Collaboration Level: Intermediate

Brandy Gunsolus, DCLS, MLS(ASCP)CM, Pathology Utilization, AU Health

A discussion of heparin induced thrombocytopenia(HIT) diagnosis and treatment as well as an interdisciplinary project to improve HIT diagnosis and patient care.

Student Track: Hematology Review

— Floyd Josephat, MS, MT(ASCP), Professor of MLS, University of Alabama

Board review of Hematology topics for students in preparation of taking board exams.

10:30a – 11:30a

Professional Track: Introduction to cell-free DNA

Megan McKenna, MS, CGC, Clinical Oncology Specialist, Guardant Health

An overview of cfDNA technology and applications for patient care in oncology.

Student Track: Microbiology Review

— Tera Webb, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm, Instructor of MLS, University of Alabama

Board review of Microbiology topics for students in preparation of taking board exams.

1:00p – 2:00p

Professional Track: Breaking Down the Language Barrier: How to Effectively Communicate with Nursing Professionals Level: Intermediate

— Kyle Riding, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, Asst. Professor, University of Central Florida

Medical Laboratory Professionals and Nurses all aim to help the patients they serve. However, each profession has its own set of jargon that isn’t easily translated. This session aims to explore examples of breaking down these jargon barriers

Student Track: Blood Bank Review

Phyllis Ingram, EdD, MT(ASCP), AHI(AMT), Program Director, West Georgia Technical College

Board review of Blood Bank topics for students in preparation of taking board exams

2:00p – 3:00p

Professional Track: HIV Update: Where Are We Now? Level: Intermediate

Brooke Whitaker, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm, DCLS Resident, Rutgers University

A review of the updates guidelines regarding appropriate testing for HIV screening and monitoring of the disease.

Student Track: Immunology Review

— Kyle Riding, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, Asst. Professor, University of Central Florida

Board review of Immunology topics for students in preparation of taking board exams.

Closing Keynote

Las Vegas Mass Shooting, Our Finest Hour

— Shannon Billings, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, Laboratory Manager, DaVita Laboratories Level: Basic

In times of tragedy, people have to band together to work towards one cause. In this presentation, I will describe my laboratory’s experiences during the recent mass casualty event in Las Vegas that required coordination from not just front-line healthcare workers but also the medical laboratory professionals that helped to coordinate the treatment of the victims.