ASCLS to advocate for long-term relief from laboratory reimbursement cuts, 2024 Labvocate Symposium registration still open, upcoming webinars and virtual events, opportunities to share your experiences at ASCLS events, Joint Annual Meeting session on demand, volunteer opportunities, and more.
ASCLS to Advocate for Long-term Relief from Laboratory Reimbursement Cuts
Over two million Americans depend on Medicare for access to diagnostic tests and services. Medical laboratory professionals are committed to providing these patients with high-quality tests that allow doctors and patients to make informed treatment decisions.
Yet, clinical laboratories across the country face Medicare reimbursement cuts that are set to resume on January 1 unless Congress intervenes. These economic pressures will undermine diagnostic innovation, reduce patient access to care, and harm clinical laboratory jobs.
ASCLS is working with the American Clinical Laboratory Association (ACLA) and about 70 healthcare organizations to support legislation for long-term relief from reimbursement cuts; this would protect access to testing for millions of Americans and ensure a viable health system. Stay tuned for additional information about how you can be a #Labvocate for this legislation and help fix the broken payment system.
Upcoming Events
2024 Labvocate Symposium
September 30-October 1 | Alexandria, Virginia, or Virtual
The annual Labvocate Symposium (formerly called the Laboratory Legislative Symposium) gives you the chance to come together with medical laboratory professionals from six laboratory organizations and make our concerns known inside Congress.
New this year, all ASCLS Developing Professional members can register for free virtual attendance.
Designed for advocacy neophytes to experts, the Symposium will provide information on the Saving Access to Laboratory Services Act (SALSA) and how it would address the negative impacts of PAMA; proposed legislation to support the medical laboratory workforce; and the basics of how a bill becomes a law.
Attendees are also coached on presentation techniques so you can effectively talk to your congressional representatives and their staff. You will come away from the two-day event with first-hand knowledge of the political system in action and confidence that you can make a difference.
This year’s event will be held September 30-October 1 at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia. In-person and virtual attendee options are available. Sign up today!
Ask Me Anything: How Developing and Ascending Professionals Have Improved ASCLS and the Profession
September 22, 7 pm ET | Virtual
Join the ASCLS Ascending Professionals Forum (APF) and Developing Professionals Forum (DPF) for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) to explore the role that Developing and Ascending Professionals have played in shaping ASCLS and the profession.
The AMA will highlight how grassroots advocacy from these early-career professionals and students foster leadership, promote advocacy, and help shape professional standards. The discussion will also track the progress and current contributions of individuals who began their journeys in the APF and DPF, showcasing their lasting impact on ASCLS and the broader clinical laboratory science community.
Panelists will include:
- Jesse Day, ASCLS Ascending Professional Director
- Joshua Pulido, ASCLS Director
- Kyle Riding, ASCLS President-Elect
- Rebecca Rogers, ASCLS Sustaining Member
Sign up for the free virtual event on Sunday, September 22, at 7 pm ET.
The Developing and Ascending Professionals Forums host bi-monthly AMAs on a variety of career-related topics to help answer all your burning questions. View a playlist of previous career advice AMAs on the ASCLS YouTube channel.
Webinar: Common Inspection Deficiencies – Blood Bank Edition
October 16, 1 pm Eastern | Virtual
This session will discuss common deficiencies given during a hospital blood bank and transfusion service inspection. Regulatory and accreditation requirements will be reviewed, and resolution ideas will be presented to avoid these common deficiencies.
Presenter: Meredith Eller, MBA, MLS(ASCP)SBBCM, CQA(ASQ), Quality Director for the American Red Cross
This webinar is free for ASCLS members ($10 for non-members). Preregistration is required. If you can’t attend live, register anyway—those who pre-register will receive access to the webinar recording.
Learning Objectives
- List common deficiencies in Blood Banks and Transfusion Services
- Review regulatory and accreditation requirements
- Provide guidance on steps to avoid and resolve the common problems
Instruction Level: Intermediate
ASCLS is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.
PRISM Movie Night: The Healthcare Divide
Friday, October 18, 2 pm ET
Sunday, October 20, 3 pm ET
The ASCLS Diversity Advocacy Council (DAC) invites you to attend a viewing of the documentary, The Healthcare Divide, to watch it together virtually with other ASCLS members.
In the documentary, FRONTLINE and NPR investigate the growing inequities in American healthcare exposed by COVID-19. The Healthcare Divide examines how pressure to increase profits and uneven government support are widening the divide between rich and poor hospitals, endangering care for low-income populations.
The movie runs 54 minutes. There will be opportunities to chat during the movie, as well as a brief follow-up discussion at the end.
Sign up to attend on Friday, October 18 at 2 pm ET, or Sunday, October 20 at 3 pm ET.
Every year the ASCLS Diversity Advocacy Council (DAC) hosts a series of activities and events as part of PRISM: Pride · Respect · Inclusion · Support · Momentum. Join medical laboratory friends and colleagues as we celebrate and ignite discussions regarding diversity in the profession and the inequities in our healthcare system. The DAC organizes virtual activities, including movie nights, book clubs, and conversations with featured guests. All activities are free and held virtually.
Opportunities to Share Your Experiences and Expertise at ASCLS Events
Submit Session Proposals or Ideas for the 2025 Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference
The Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference (ELMC2) Steering Committee is currently accepting full proposals, as well as ideas, for sessions for the 2025 program. Session topics or themes include personnel/human resources, financial management, workplace culture, operations and automation, compliance and regulations, and ethics. Submit your session proposal or idea by September 30.
Save the date for the 2025 ELMC2: January 24-25. The all-virtual ELMC2 is designed specifically for medical laboratory professionals to help you transition into and thrive in management roles.
ELMC2 provides two days of programming (live and streamed for up to 30 days after the live event), up to 20 hours of P.A.C.E.® credit, networking events, access to an attendees-only online community, and follow up programming expected to take place 6-12 weeks after the conclusion of the virtual conference, as well as special meet-ups at the ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting in June.
Call for 2025 Joint Annual Meeting Session Proposals
The Joint Annual Meeting Steering Committee is now accepting scientific session proposals for the 2025 ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting (JAM), to be held June 8-12 in Sacramento, California. Submit your session proposals by October 19.
All confirmed speakers are eligible for registration discounts. You do not have to be an ASCLS, AGT, or SAFMLS member to submit a proposal, and multiple proposals may be submitted per speaker.
The JAM Steering Committee is looking for proposals that cover a diverse group of topics related to medical laboratory science, such as scientific advancements, best practices, management, and professional development. Send in your session proposals and please invite laboratory professionals and colleagues who are compelling presenters and leaders in their field to share their expertise as well.
Call for CLEC 2025 Poster Abstracts
We are currently accepting abstracts for posters at the 2025 Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC) in Atlanta. Share your expertise, research, and other work with more than 600 fellow educators across the nation.
Registration discounts are provided to the submitting author of accepted poster abstracts. Posters will be displayed digitally at the conference and within the meeting app. Accepted authors who attend CLEC in-person will have the opportunity to participate in poster presentation showcases.
CLEC is the most impactful annual gathering for faculty, administrators, directors, advisers, and others in medical laboratory education. The conference includes peer-to-peer learning, designed to give you take-aways that you can bring home and implement in your program.
CLEC 2025 will be held March 6-8 at the Westin Peachtree Plaza in Atlanta. Explore new ways to enhance the student learning experience, discover innovative teaching techniques, build your network of clinical laboratory educators and so much more. Registration will open in November.
2024 Joint Annual Meeting Educational Sessions Available On Demand
If you missed out on attending the 2024 ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting this past July, you still have a chance to experience the educational program. We captured the educational sessions at the meeting, and they are now available to stream online through JAM On Demand. You can watch as many sessions as you’d like, when it’s convenient for you, and claim P.A.C.E.® credit at the same time.
- Individual sessions range in price from $5-$10 ($8-$15 for non-members).
- The JAM 12-PACK bundle, a diverse compilation of 12 highly-rated educational sessions from JAM 2024, is $80 for ASCLS Members/$120 for non-members.
Access national education on a full range of topics conveniently available for you at home, work, and on the road.
Volunteer Opportunity
Association of Medical Laboratory Education Programs (AMLEP) Taskforces 2024
Are you ready to step up and make a real difference in the world of medical laboratory education? The Association of Medical Laboratory Education Programs (AMLEP) is on the lookout for passionate, dedicated professionals like you to join our volunteer team. We’ve got three critical task forces that need your expertise!
- Student Recruitment/Enrollment Management: Help us collaborate to figure out best practices to attract and retain the next generation of laboratory professionals by developing innovative strategies for student outreach and enrollment.
- Clinical Experiences: Collaborate on creating and enhancing clinical site opportunities, student rotations, and exploring alternative scheduling solutions to ensure our students receive the best possible hands-on training.
- Program Advocacy: Engage with administrators and stakeholders to elevate the visibility and importance of our programs, ensuring they are recognized for their critical role in the healthcare system.
Share Your Favorite Potluck Recipes
The ASCLS Marketing & Communications Committee is compiling a digital cookbook of recipes for potlucks that have been lab-tested and approved by you! The digital cookbook will be made available during #Labtober, a week in October that acts as the half-way point to next year’s Lab Week. Submit your favorite recipes today.
Free CDC OneLab™ Resources
Listening to the Laboratory: A OneLab Network Open Forum Event
Thursday, September 26, 1-2 pm ET | Virtual
Join for a discussion to understand and address laboratory professionals’ training and education needs. This OneLab event will create a space for you to voice your insights, experiences, and challenges in the laboratory. Whether you are a laboratory technician, scientist, manager, or laboratory trainer, your unique expertise and perspective are essential in working together to enhance training, identify gaps in educational resources, and develop strategies to equip laboratory community members with the tools and resources they need most.
This 60-minute virtual open forum is suitable for all laboratory professionals.
Mini Lesson – Public Health Laboratories (PHL) 101
Online Course
The mini lesson takes just 20 minutes to complete. This new format aims to provide learners with a concise and engaging learning experience that fits easily into your schedule and makes it possible to absorb key concepts quickly and efficiently.
This basic-level course is for all laboratory staff at clinical and public health laboratories.
After taking this mini lesson, learners should be able to:
- Identify the core functions of public health laboratories
- Explain how the public health laboratory interacts with partners and customers, including other laboratories
- Describe the role of federal, state, and local agencies and organizations within the public health laboratory system
Fundamentals of Bloodborne Pathogens
Online Course
This basic-level course introduces clinical and public health laboratory professionals to the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard. The course includes how bloodborne pathogens can be transmitted, the most common types of bloodborne pathogens, control measures that can reduce exposure to bloodborne pathogens, and what to do if an exposure occurs.
This basic-level course is intended for clinical and public health laboratory staff and others who work with blood or other potentially infectious materials. It is approved for 1.0 contact hour(s) of P.A.C.E.® credit.
At the end of this course, learners should be able to:
- Discuss the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard
- Identify the three most common bloodborne pathogens
- Discuss how bloodborne pathogens are spread
- Discuss control measures that can reduce the risk of exposure to BBP in the workplace
- Apply the guidelines according to the OSHA Bloodborne Pathogens Standard for incidents, exposures and reporting
About OneLab
The OneLab Rapid Education and Capacity-building Hub (REACH) is a laboratory education and training learning management system specifically designed and tailored for the needs of clinical and public health laboratory professionals. OneLab REACH supports the laboratory community by providing relevant and timely education and training resources.
CDC’s OneLab Network provides opportunities for education and training, as well as a space for collaboration between clinical, public health, individuals who perform or coordinate testing at non-laboratory sites, and CDC laboratory education and training professionals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Laboratory Systems is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.
OneLab™ and OneLab REACH™ are registered trademarks of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
New Episode of Off the Bench Podcast
Subscribe to the Off the Bench Podcast for discussions on scientific and not-so-scientific ideas in laboratory medicine. New episodes drop the last Friday of each month.
In the August 30 episode, co-hosts Sophia Chandrasekar and Doryan Redding talk with Dr. Kelly Winter about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) OneLab initiative. Hear about all that OneLab has to offer, from CEs to virtual reality labs to facilitate training, and catch their enthusiasm to sign up for OneLab today!
Subscribe to the podcast through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Voices Under 40
Spotlight: Jenna Amundson, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, Waconia, Minnesota
Jenna has been very active on the local, state, and regional levels, starting as the ASCLS-Minnesota student forum chair, now known as the developing professional chair, then ASCLS-MN first-year professional chair, and then ASCLS-MN Metro area senior and junior director. She also graduated from the Region V leadership academy, was the ASCLS-MN treasurer from 2020-2023, the ASCLS-MN webmaster from 2017 to 2024, and the 2023-24 finance committee chair.
Jenna has shared her knowledge and experience with the profession by volunteering to help with the ASCLS-MN website, being an ASCLS national student ambassador, keeping ASCLS-MN social media accounts up to date, organizing leadership development classes, events and other materials, and by preparing budgets for ASCLS-MN board meetings and offering support for a new treasurer to ASCLS-MN. Read more.
ASCLS Voices Under 40 honors ASCLS members who have shown exceptional commitment to the Society, the laboratory profession, and their community at large at a younger age in their professional career. Each month we spotlight one of the shining voices who were selected from many nominations across the country.
Local Events
2024 Hawaii Clinical Laboratory Conference (HCLC)
September 20-21
Honolulu, Hawaii
ASCLS-Michigan Agar Art Workshop
October 4 and 5
Grand Rapids, Michigan
ASCLS-Minnesota Laboratory Student Night
October 9
St Paul, Minnesota
ASCLS Region V Meeting
October 10-11
Fargo, North Dakota
2024 Northeast Laboratory Conference (ASCLS-Maine)
October 15-16
Portland, Maine
Northwest Medical Laboratory Symposium (ASCLS-Washington and ASCLS-Oregon)
October 24-25
Virtual
Welcome New Members
We’re happy to welcome 81 individuals who joined ASCLS in the past month.
Professional Members
Crystal Barlow, MS
Sara Botrous, CA
Joanne Bundrant, HI
Joseph Burton, MA
Patricia Bussey, GA
Nastacia Carridis, NY
Lei Chen, CA
Anil Kiran Chokkalla, ND
Brooke Conigliaro, PA
Michael Duah, LA
Robert Eytalis, CO
Tsu Haymar, NY
Ha Huynh, MA
Jennifer Kiblinger, OH
Gloria Martinez, IL
Ashley Mowatt, MD
Yamelaine Garcia Nunez, NJ
Lindsay Philpot, LA
Elana Postawa, IL
Dadbeh Rouhbakhsh, CA
Loany Ryder, NE
Maria Charisma Starke, IA
Andrea Stone, IN
Jeanette Uzzell, NC
Ascending Professional Members
Elizabeth Amsdell, AZ
Kimberly Arroyo, CA
Cierra Barden, DE
Ben Brigan, MN
Kara Ebisuya, UT
Melissa Fallorina, CA
Michelle Giambarresi, MA
Elena Gulea, MI
Summer Hinson, NC
Young Eun Hong, NY
Chris Lee, AZ
Alex McGuire, SC
Rio Micah Migalbin, CA
Kimberly Schipper, WI
Olivia Stepp, IN
Nicolas Troisi, MA
Victoria Tucker, AL
Developing Professional Members
Ashley Adomako-Gyasi, TX
Aynalem Adula, GA
Isabel Aguirre-Mutter, ME
Isabel Alguera, KY
Jada Allen, VA
Rainna Allen, GA
Grace Amos, MI
Edrina Asante, NY
Daniel Auleta, NY
Ariel Austin, MS
Michael Averhoff, MO
Reagan Ayers, MI
Hosham Bakheet, NJ
Martin Ball, ME
Tanya Balon, GA
Isabella Bankert, PA
Josephine Banks, KY
Catherine Barnes, NJ
Evelyn Barros, NY
Chloe Bartek, KS
Miriam Bayer, MT
Hunter Belisle, KS
Abrianna Bell, TN
Samantha Bernier, ME
Dari Blumenberg, MS
Ryan Bockrath, KY
Vanessa Booy, MI
Grace Brink, MO
Ryan Brooks, IL
Erica Byers, WI
Kalaisha Cage, MS
Brittney Carpenter, MS
Lexamary Castillo, NJ
Joshua Chao, NJ
Xuan Mai Chieu, KS
Brittany Chisholm, MS
Zach Christian, GA
Jose Antonio Chua, MS
Hunter Church, AR
Corinna Salinas Cleveland, TX
Kristin Cloe, MO
Wendy Condra, MI
Maryah Cook, WI
Terryl Cooper, TN
Cory Cox, AR
Stacey Cruz, GA
Failatou Dakissaga, NJ
Suzanne Dees, MO
Liberty Dilbeck, AR
Isabella Dominguez, IL
Veronica Dordal, MO
Desirae Doyle, MO
Konrad Drapala, NJ
Jenna Dube, ME
Megan Duenas, TX
Rosa Duncan, CA
Dale Dunham, VA
Brady Duttera, PA
Caynen Ellis, MO
Jenna Ellis, WI
Rylee Elwell, VA
Kira Evans, KY
Chase Faullin, AR
Eden Feleke, GA
Melak Feleke, GA
Alexandria Fiscus, KS
Jessica Fluehmann, ME
Angela Flynn, NY
Morayo Folarin, MO
Molly Folsom, ME
Corigan Frazier, MO
Dyevy Fuentes, GA
Nicholas Gaeke, MO
Melodie Garrett, PA
Jacob Gilbert, AR
Catherine Greub, KS
Andriadora Guay, ME
Andrea Gutierrez, NY
Lauren Haas, MO
Niles Halper, MO
Nichole Halsey, ME
Eric Hancock, KS
Taneeka Harmon, AR
Ariel Harris, MO
Carmesha Harris, MS
Evan Heftye, MO
Hannah Heins, MN
Chelsea Hendon, OK
Janae Hershey, PA
Marie Hoefer, WI
Megan Hoffman, MI
Makayla Hood, MS
Emily Horner, KY
Suzzanne Jackson, MO
Kristy Jenkins, TX
Zachary Jenkins, OK
Damone’t Johnson, MI
Martha Jovel-Sandoval, CA
Natalie Kaczmarek, MI
Emily Kane, NJ
Dedi Kisor, OR
Nicole Kleczewski, IL
Zoe Klink, MI
Tayler Konkol, WI
Melissa Kulpeksa, NH
Crystal Landwehr, KS
Shannah Lawrence, ME
Jiyun Lee, MI
Emilyanne Ley, AR
Xiao Li, NJ
Porcha Liverpool, MD
Zuleyma Loma, KS
Sadie Lott, MS
Jessica Lucero, MO
Rachel Machie, VA
Alexander Machin, KY
Allison Mack, FL
Jahneya Malave, ME
Shonda Mays, KY
Brooke McClain, KY
Madison McCormick, KY
Rhiannah McFarlin, AR
Aiden McGee, MO
Jane McNamee, IL
Brandon Medley, MO
Victoria Mendoza, TX
Madison Meyer, PA
Blake Meyer, MO
Linda Michaud, ME
Julie Miradakis-Ginn, FL
Marcela Mitchell, KS
Jessie Mittleman, ME
Ayanna Moore, MS
Stephanie Morgan, NH
Morgan Myers, PA
Kamie Mysliwiec, MO
Meagan Navarro, KS
Jean Paul Olish Ndjum, ME
Bertha Ndutiye, KY
Bich-Thu Nguyen, MI
Audra Nolting, NE
Mariela Nunez, NJ
Patricia Nyangoma, TX
Francesca Ocean, NY
Omobolanle Olaniran, GA
Ana Olson, MO
Odunmolorun Omovudu-Awosika, WI
Shawn Orner, PA
Wahida Osman, WI
Rachel Otis, ME
Lorisha Ouma, GA
Madison Pamfilis, MD
Morgan Parker, MI
Natalie Parker, MO
Jenisha Patel, NJ
Simran Patel, MS
Brianna Patsel, KY
Kimberlly Peaslee, ME
Abigail Pemberton, AR
Jada Pemble, WI
Melanie Perez, TX
Amanda Peris, PA
Gracie Perkins, OH
Jane Pfannenstein, MN
Anh Pham, MI
Cassidy Pigeon, WI
Diana Piliado, TX
David Ace Piodos, MO
Laquisha Pitts, MS
Sydney Pleasanton, PA
Taylor Prewett, MO
Kayla Putman, OK
Caitlin Pyle, AR
Leila Quass, WI
Alexia Reichenbach, AR
Kristin Ribeiro, ME
Emilee Rigsby, VA
Cheri Risner, MO
Briana Rivelli, NJ
Daylin Roberson-Kitzman, ND
Gelisha Robinson, AR
Matthew Roesky, AR
Rebecca Roth, PA
Emma Rush, MO
Shamara Russell, GA
Jannelle Sanchez, MO
Brock Sanders, AR
Maggie Schut, WI
Aniya Scott, MS
Kamoryn Seals, TX
Ryan Seecharan, NY
Haley Seefeldt, WI
Marcos Segovia, GA
Olivia Shain, KY
Erica Shanks, NH
Parth Sharma, AR
Jazmine Sharp, TX
Ryan Shearer, PA
Yohanes Shone, GA
Kinsey Skjold, MI
Madison Slone, KY
Jonna Smeal, PA
Allyssea Smith, MI
Ashlyn Sorel, ME
Taylor Soucy, ME
Madison Southern, MO
Misty St.Clair, AR
Abigail Stanek, MN
Clark Starkey, VA
Anna Startari, PA
Chelsea Stewart, OK
Christina Sun, NJ
Matthew Sutton, KY
Olivia Tardie, ME
Shelby Tate, AR
Tara Taylor, NY
Melanie Telles, NJ
Katya Thiagarajan, WI
Stacetin Thomas, MO
LuAnn Tincher, MO
Hager Tioum, GA
Jonathan Torres-Pariente, PA
Madison Totten, WI
Sheldon Tracy, ME
Minh Tran, MD
Brett Uhlmeyer, MO
Alison Vacanti, SD
Jefferson Valle, NY
Maria Vasconzuelo, NJ
Brooklyn Vaughn, VA
Thuydung Vo, MI
Carly Vogel, WI
Elizabeth Waggoner, VA
Henok Wako, GA
Alysha Walker, SD
Julie Walker, VA
Sydney Walker, VA
Jax Warner, VA
Amethyst Washington, MS
Haley Watling, KS
Gabriella Watts, TX
Cameron Weaver, AL
Samantha Wetter, MS
Carli White, MO
Jenna, Wike, KS
Charles Williams, AR
Dominic Williams, ME
Jonathan Winchell, PA
Eskender Woldekidan, GA
Dominique Wong, MO
Matthew Woodard, MO
Krista Woods, MO
Karla Mendoza Yanes, ME
MaKailynn Yates, AR
Mackenzie Zeitlin, KS
Allison Zielke, KS
Evelyn Zimmerman, TX
Mackenzie Zupko, NY
Community Member
Amy Tonielli, IL
Key Dates
Ask Me Anything: How Developing and Ascending Professionals Have Improved ASCLS and the Profession
September 22
2024 Labvocate Symposium
September 30-October 1
Common Inspection Deficiencies – Blood Bank Edition
Webinar
October 16