voice, value, vi - sdthe ascls 2013 annual meeting & clinical expo will be held in houston,...
TRANSCRIPT
Grassroots explosion of VOICE, VALUE, VISION Official publication of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science ~ South Dakota
TOPIC QUICK L INKS:
Leadership Academy - 1
ASCLS-SD Leadership Contact Information - 2
President’s Message: State of the Union -2
ASCLS-SD & ASCLS Premier Websites - 3
Region V Director: Celebrating ASCLS & Region V - 2-3
ASCLS-SD Industry Sponsors - 4
Celebrate Medical Laboratory Professionals Week - 4-5
Recruit A New Member: Be a Star - 5
Annual Spring Meeting & Elections - 5
ASCLS Region V Student Forum Update - 5-6
Events Calendar - 6
ASCLS-SD Board & Society Update - 6-7
ASCLS-SD New Members & Salute to Students– 7-8
Molecular SA: Genetic Basis for Emerging CRE - 7-8
ASCLS-SD Task Force Actions 8-9
Eye on Government: GAC Update - 8-10 sidebar
Career Recruitment: It's never too early - 10 ASCLS-SD Spotlight: ASCLS-SD 2013-14 Candidates - 10 ASCLS-SD 2013-14 Slate of Candidates - 11-13
We have some exciting news for all ASCLS Region V members. The first class of the Tri-State Leadership Academy is set to embark at the 2013 Region V Tri-State Fall Symposium!!!
Are you looking for an opportunity to help you move into leadership roles both in ASCLS and in your career? How about a way to network with other committed professionals who are as passionate as you? Would you like the opportunity to learn from experienced professionals who are leaders in our field? If any of this sounds appealing to you then the ASCLS Region V Tri-State Leadership Academy is for you.
Using the successful National Leadership Academy as a guide, we have developed our own Leadership Academy to better serve the needs of Region V and the committed professionals in our region. The Region V Leadership Academy will be following a curriculum similar to the National Leadership Academy. The curriculum will be covered over the course of a year. The first classes will be held at the ASCLS 2013 Region V Tri-State Fall Symposium in Alexandria MN followed by conference calls throughout the year and ending with the Leadership Academy class graduation at the ASCLS 2014 Region V fall meeting.
The curriculum covers essential topics to include Leadership, Team Building, Time Management, Goal Setting and others. Participants must be willing to commit to attending 2 ASCLS Region V meetings (2 days each), 1 mid-year retreat (1 day) and 2 conference calls. In addition there will be reading assignments and a group project. Over the course of the year you will be given the opportunity to build the skills necessary to be a leader both for ASCLS and in your personal and work life.
Admission to the Region V Tri-State Leadership Academy will be through a competitive application process. For more information and to download an application, go to www.ascls-sd.org/tri-state-leadership-academy. The application deadline for the first class is June 1st.
VOLUSION….ASCLS-SD is published quarterly and is made available to all ASCLS SD members in electronic format. The current issue and past issues will also be available for on-line viewing on the Society’s web page: www.ascls-sd.org The co-editors reserve the right to edit content and length of material to meet publication specifications.
All ASCLS SD members are invited to submit articles of interest to the co-editors for publication in future issues.
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ASCLS SD 2012-13 Leadership &
Contact Information:
President: Robert Jenson (P) 605-882-7750 [email protected] 1st Vice President: Shirley Heber (P) 605-201-6087 [email protected] 2nd Vice President: Pat Tille (P) 605-688-6016 [email protected] Secretary/Treasurer: Pam Kieffer [email protected] Past-President: Lezlee Koch [email protected] Board-Members-At-Large:
Kay Rasmussen [email protected]
Carmelle Miller [email protected]
Tanya Crockett [email protected] New Professional Member-at-Large: Stephanie Bonertz [email protected] Student Forum Rep: Richard Kipena [email protected] Membership Chair: Mona Gleysteen [email protected] Publications Chair: Lezlee Koch [email protected]
President's Message: State of the Union By: Robert Jenson, ASCLS-SD President 2012-13
With the election last fall, the inauguration this past January and the annual State of the Union on February 12th 2013 I thought it fitting to name this column after it. So what is the state of the ASCLS-SD union? If we look at the statistics we would say that ASCLS-SD is in decline as membership has dipped a little over the last year. The economic down turn can be attributed to this for the most part. While we may be down a few in numbers that doesn’t mean we have dropped in what our state society is doing. The New Professional/Student Task force has been on fire over the last year with scholarship fund raising through many different activities. The ASCLS-SD Leadership Task Force working with ASCLS-MN and ASCLS-ND have gotten together to bring us a regional Leadership Academy program starting this fall. This is an exciting opportunity for ASCLS-SD members to take advantage of in the near future. ASCLS-SD is sending members to the Legislative Symposium in March so that our Senators and Representative can hear from laboratory professionals from their own state in their own voices. We have our spring meeting coming up in April in Yankton for a great opportunity for some networking and continued education. The spring meeting is also the time we elect new leadership for the society so that our mission can continue. The numbers may have slipped just a little from last year but our society is still vibrant and focused. Here is a big thank you to all our members for your involvement and dedication to your profession and ASCLS-SD. Tell others that ASCLS has a good return on your investment (dues) and get them excited as well.
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Region V Director's Message: Celebrating ASCLS & Region V? By: Deb Rodahl, ASCLS Region V Director
Winters in Region V, as in other parts of the country are unpredictable at best. Snow, ice, sleet, and rain all seem to come at the varying times (or all at the same time like we witnessed the first week in March ) during our long winters. Spring blizzards are yet another adventure. The great part about Region V is that we don’t hibernate during these challenging months. On the contrary our members are busy hosting winter workshops or educational evenings as well as putting together Spring, Summer, and Fall educational events for our profession. The most exciting new program to move forward is the ASCLS Region V Tri-State Leadership Academy. This project stemmed from a desire of individual states to bring the ASCLS National Leadership Academy to the local level. This would allow more of our members to participate and at a reduced overall cost. Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota have agreed to a 3-year pilot of this program. Planning Committee members
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Your ASCLS Premiere Websites!
Visit Them Often!
ASCLS-SD www.ascls-sd.org
ASCLS Region V www.ascls-
sd.org/asclsregionv
ASCLS Region V Fall Symposium
www.ascls-sd.org/region-v-
meeting
ASCLS www.ascls.org
ASCLS Region V Tri-State
Leadership Academy
www.ascls-sd.org/tri-
state-leadership-academy
include: JoAnn Nickles (Chair – MN), Jean Bauer (MN), Char Romain (MN), Dawn Michelson (ND), Alice Hawley (ND), Susan Lopez (SD), and Lezlee Koch (SD – Web and Design). (See the front page article for more information!) ASCLS is also accepting applications for the National Leadership Academy for those members who want the experience at the national level. Follow this link to more information. www.ascls.org/ascls-leadership/ascls-academy
The ASCLS Region V Tri-State Symposium planning committee is busy putting together another great program for our 4th Annual Meeting. Put September 30th – October 1st on your calendars to head to the Arrowwood Resort in Alexandria MN. The Arrowwood is a very scenic and relaxing location for this Fall meeting so come early for a chance to golf, fish, and hike or take advantage of the horse-back riding, spa, or great indoor water park. There is fun for everyone!
National Updates: ASCLS Web Site: The ASCLS Website has moved to a new platform that first and foremost is much easier to navigate and therefore it is much easier to find things. In addition it will give us great flexibility for future content/programs. The state websites are all linked (and easy to find) so that you can easily check out what other states are doing. If you have not been out to the new website, be sure to check it out! www.ascls.org Did you know that ASCLS has a committee for the Promotion of the Profession? This committee has placed a number of resources for our use on the ASCLS Website. Consider utilizing some or all of these “tools” as part of your Medical Laboratory Week activities. www.ascls.org/promote-the-profession Medical Laboratory Professional’s Week will be held April 22nd – 26th. This is a great time to promote what we do for the general public as well as a chance to enjoy some internal celebrations. MLPW provides the profession with a unique opportunity to increase public understanding of and appreciation for clinical laboratory personnel. Check-out the ASCLS resource centre for great ideas of activities that can be done during this week. www.ascls.org/about-us/celebrate/medical-lab-professionals-week The annual Legislative Symposium will be held in Washington DC from March 18th – 19th and provides up to the minute information on legislative and regulatory issues impacting the profession. Attendees also learn about the legislative process and how to present their views on Capitol Hill. On the second day the attendees visit their legislators' offices. If you have never attended a Legislative Symposium, I suggest you put this on your bucket list! The ASCLS 2013 Annual Meeting & Clinical Expo will be held in Houston, Texas July 30th to August 3rd. In addition to numerous continuing education sessions, the Clinical Lab Expo provides the opportunity to view laboratory technology advances at hundreds of vendor booths. The national meeting has become a “family reunion” for me. After attending a couple of these meetings you come to realize what a great and welcoming group our colleagues in the laboratory profession are. It is truly an honor to represent Region V in ASCLS. I enjoy hearing from our members (or non-members). I can be reached at [email protected] (651)779.8906
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ASCLS-SD Proudly
Salutes It's Premier Industry
Sponsors!
www.mayomedicallaborato
ries.com
www.usd.edu/medlab
www.sdstate.edu/cee/degr
ees/mls.cfm
www.alere.com
Celebrate Medical Laboratory Professionals Week! By: Robert Jenson, ASCLS-SD President
Laboratory Professionals GET RESULTS! is our ongoing theme for Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (MLPW). Why the same theme? It is because this is what we do every day, night, weekend and holiday. All our quality control, quality assurance, competency evaluations, validation studies, continued education, etc… is aimed at not only getting results – but to get THE RESULTS –results that that are accurate, precise and give a clue to the patients metabolic state. It has been stated that 70% of all medical decisions are based on the laboratory results that we provide to the practitioner. If we don’t get the result right, the diagnosis maybe missed and a patient could end up with a poor outcome, a delay in treatment, or not knowing what is wrong.
Routinely all we do with Quality Assurance, Quality Control, etc… is done behind the scenes and even other departments within our facilities don’t know the extent of what goes on in the laboratory to generate that QUALITY RESULT so many people depend on. So it is apropos to take the time during MLPW to blow our own horn, promote what we do and who we are. Our nationally recognized week is a time to honor the more than 300,000 medical laboratory professionals around the country who perform and interpret more than 10 billion laboratory tests in the US every year. Fourteen national laboratory organizations are responsible for coordinating this high-profile celebration of our profession. Those partners include:
American Association of Blood Banks American Association of Clinical Chemistry
Association of Genetic Technologists American Medical Technologists
American Society of Cytopathology American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
American Society for Clinical Pathology American Society for Cytotechnology
American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics
American Society for Microbiology
Association of Public Health Laboratories Clinical Laboratory Managers Association
College of American Pathologists National Society for Histotechnology
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Recruit A New Member!
Be An ASCLS Star! Every clinical laboratorian deserves the professional benefits of ASCLS! Award winning
publications Members-only
discounts for continuing education, resources, references and tools
Professional & Regulatory Advocacy
Grassroots benefits at the local, state, and regional levels
An instant professional family of thousands
Cutting edge resources and updates
Leadership development
Discounted services - credit cards, hotels, insurance programs and more
Share ASCLS's VOICE, VALUE & VISION with your professional friends and colleagues! We all benefit when ASCLS grows! The more members we have in South Dakota, the stronger our professional voice is here at home. Recruitment tips & tools can be found at: http://www.ascls.org http://www.ascls-sd.org/
Join Online at: www.ascls.org/join-ascls/join
For resources to help you with planning your celebration... visit ASCLS's website at: www.ascls.org/about-us/celebrate/medical-lab-professionals-week
Here’s to laboratory professionals everywhere—be proud and promote what you do. Not only during MLPW, but throughout the year!
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ASCLS-SD 2013 Annual Spring Meeting - Plan on Attending!
Come one, come all to this year's ASCLS-SD Spring Meeting in Yankton, SD on April 9, 2013! Our meeting chair, Doris Heilman, extends a warm invitation to all ASCLS-SD Members! This year's meeting will again offer continuing education, annual member recognition, scholarship fundraising basket raffle, time for networking and our annual business meeting with election of 2013-14 society officers.
Continuing education topics will include: Human Genome Testing Obstetric Hemorrhage: Event Planning & Training ASCLS Updates & Professional Issues Vampires @ Work: Making Good Relationships Better
A copy of the registration flyer is attached to this issue or you may download additional copies from our ASCLS-SD website by visiting: ASCLS-SD Events & Meetings
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ASCLS Region V Student Forum Update By: Karen Larson, Region V Student Forum Rep
With the Legislative Symposium just around the corner, I thought it would be fitting to talk about the importance of contacting your Senators and Representatives directly when decisions are being made about laboratory issues. YOU can shape and influence those decisions! Pretty awesome, right? As students, I feel that we sometimes fall into thinking that we don’t have as much to say or that when we do, we may not be heard as strongly. That isn’t true, though! Your VOICE matters! Do you realize that many, if not all, of your Senators and Representatives keep a running tally of how many constituents speak up to oppose or support an issue? This
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ASCLS-SD 1-Day Spring Symposium & Annual Meeting
April 9, 2013 Yankton SD
www.ascls-sd.org/id4.html
2013 ASCLS Annual Meeting
July 30- Aug 3, 2013 Houston TX
www.ascls.org/index.php/ascls-meetings/annual-meeting
ASCLS Region V Fall Symposium Sept 30-Oct 1, 2013
www.ascls-sd.org/region-v-meeting
ASCLS-SD & CLMA
2013 Fall Conference
November 7-8, 2013 Rapid City SD
www.ascls-sd.org/id71.html
information greatly affects their decision on how to vote. When I’ve written to my legislators in the past, I’ve received thoughtful, personal responses. Your legislators actually want to hear from you! They’re thankful when they do because believe it or not, they work for YOU! It’s surprisingly easy and simple to get in touch now. You don’t even need a stamp! Just send a quick e-mail and make sure to include your home address so that they know you live in the area they represent. To find out who represents you and how to get in touch with them, just follow these links and enter your ZIP code or state. www.house.gov/representatives/find/ www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Next time you get an e-mail from the ASCLS Government Affairs Committee asking you to contact your Senators and Representatives, please take the few minutes to submit a message online to your legislators or send a quick e-mail. I know this can sound intimidating, but don’t let it be. Our career field is too important not to advocate for! Help shape the future of our profession!
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ASCLS-SD Board of Directors & Society Updates By: Pam Kieffer, ASCLS-SD Secretary/Treasurer 2012-2013
Your Board of Directors and Society has been busy! Listed below are the highlights of our current professional actions and projects. If at any time you would like to get involved, just drop any Board Member a note to let us know how you'd like to be involved. We'd love to have you! Student/New Professionals: plans for a scholarship fundraising basket raffle at the Spring
Conference. Region V Tri-State Leadership Academy: BOD approved budgeting financial support for
attendance of up to two Leadership Academy students for 2013-2014. Awards submissions: the ASCLS-SD newsletter, VOLUSION, has been submitted for
national awards in the Publications category. Position Updates:
• Government Affairs position description has been updated, reviewed by the ASCLS-SD BOD, and approved, to include additional responsibilities.
• Tanya Crockett was appointed to complete the remaining term of the vacant Board Member At Large position for ASCLS-SD.
Legislative Days: Tami Svatos, Richard Kipena, Stephanie Bonertz and Tanya Crockett will be representing ASCLS-SD this month at this annual event. Watch for reports from these delegates in the next VOLUSION .
Upcoming meetings: • April 9, 2013 - ASCLS-SD Spring meeting-Avera Pavilion, Yankton, SD • September 30/October 1, 2013 - ASCLS Region V Conference – Arrowwood
Conference Center, Alexandria, MN. Alice Hawley (MN) is conference chair – other chair positions have been filled; volunteers are welcome to assist. Contact your BOD for further information.
• November 7-8, 2013 – Fall Collaborative Conference – Ramkota Hotel and Conference Center, Rapid City, SD. The registration chair will act as event treasurer. Exhibitor deposits will be submitted to Shirley Heber.
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ASCLS-SD Proudly
Recognizes It's New
Member!
Alexander Leader Crofton NE
ASCLS-SD Salutes Our
Student Members!!
Matthew Aas Stephanie Allison
Lisa Ball Jennie Barents
Melissa Blackburn Heather Constuble
Amanda Ertz Christina Fanning Jennifer Goebel
Amandalynn Graves Bill Grefe
Kylie Gross Melissa Haag Daniel Hagel
Taylor Hausmann Amanda Howard
Science Fairs: ASCLS-SD will once again sponsor $50 cash awards for projects best representing the field of laboratory science at several regional science fairs, to be held in March at NSU, DWU, SDSM&T and SDSU.
Women in Science: the BOD approved to donate $50 to this event. Informational flyers will also be distributed to students, regarding our profession.
Membership Award: Marjorie Schrag has been an active member since 1948, making her a 65 year member. Marjorie will be honored with an award and free registration at the ASCLS-SD Spring Meeting in Yankton.
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Molecular Scientific Assembly: Genetic Basis for the Emerging Carbapenemase resistant Enterobacteriaceae By: Pat Tille, ASCLS-SD 2nd VP and Molecular Scientific Assembly Chair 2012-13
The explosion of molecular biology in the past two decades has provided alternatives to phenotypic strategies for the identification of organisms and the genotyping of drug resistance. The bacterial chromosome represents the majority of the genetic make-up or genome within a single organism. However, many genes may be located on extra-chromosomal elements including transposons and plasmids that are capable of independent replication and movement between organisms. Plasmids exist as double-stranded, closed, circular miniature chromosomes. A single bacterial cell may contain several plasmids. Transposable elements are pieces of DNA that move from one genetic element to another, such as from the plasmid to the chromosome or vice versa. Multi-drug resistant organisms are increasing in frequency on a worldwide basis due to the presence of these mobile genetic elements. In addition these elements may have a complex structure including the presence of integrans, which are genetic elements specifically designed to take-up and incorporate or integrate genes such as those that encode antibiotic resistance.
In the last decade, a very serious emerging mechanism of resistance referred to as carbapenemase resistance has developed in the Enterobacteriaceae family in both hospital and community acquired infections. Carbapenemase is currently the last treatment option for infections caused by multi-drug resistant bacteria. The various classes of carbapenemases include KPC (Class A) VIM, IMP, NDM (Class B) and OXA-48 (Class D). Class A, C and D beta-lactamases are the enzymes that contain serine at the active site. The metallo-beta-lactamases (Class B) require a zinc ion for hydrolysis. Genes encoding the beta-lactamase enzymes mutate continuously in response to the heavy pressure exerted by antibiotic use. Amp-C class (Class C) genes that were originally carried on chromosomes are now found on plasmids. The last class of beta-lactamases is referred to as oxacillanses (Class D) and contains a higher hydrolysis rate for oxacillin than penicillin.
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Richard Kipena Amanda Kronberg
Alexandra Mammenga John Potts
Glen San Juan Kassandra Sheridan
Christopher Thompson Mike Whisler Taylor Zoelle
"Wishing You A Wondrous
& Professional Journey In
ASCLS!"
Government
Affairs Update: BByy:: TTaannyyaa CCrroocckkeetttt,, AASSCCLLSS--SSDD
GGAACC CChhaaiirr,, 22001122--1133
The heavily debated sequestration discussions, in effect as of March 1, will impact negatively on our laboratories with a 2% decrease to our Medicare fee schedule on top of the decrease that will also apply to hospitals and other healthcare providers.
At this time, there is no new information on the Competitive Bidding and Laboratory Co-Pay proposals. The Clinical Laboratory Coalition
The resistant mechanism is typically plasmid-borne and the gene product is capable of hydrolyzing almost all known beta-lactam antibiotics. The plasmids that harbor these mobile genetic elements include the various classes of Non-type able plasmids (using current PCR-based replicon typing) and the IncHI family of plasmids. These plasmids demonstrate conjugative transfer (movement between individual bacterial cells) at a higher frequency at 30 °C than at 37 °C. The carbapenemase resistance gene within these plasmids may also be included in a cassette of genes that are flanked by insertion sequences or small transposons that facilitate the movement of the gene between genetic elements. In addition, many of these genes in particular the NDM (Class B) are neither species nor plasmid specific therefore indicating a limitless boundary for spread of this resistance. OXA-48 is carried on a composite transposon known as TN1999 or variants of the transposon known as TN1999.2 and TN1999.3. The metallo-beta lactamases are also transferable via a plasmid and in addition to beta-lactamase resistance the strains are frequently resistant to aminoglycosides and fluorquinolones while remaining susceptible to polymixins.
It appears that the carbapenemase resistant genetic elements are capable of existing in a very diverse genetic background and able to move from one element to another, one organism to another and across genus and species lines in an unlimited capacity. It is therefore important for practitioners and laboratorians to not overlook or ignore any new emerging antibiotic patterns of resistance where they least expect them to occur.
References:
Dolejska M, Villa L, Poirel, L et. al. Complete sequencing of an IncHI1 plasmid encoding the carbapenemase NDM-1, the ARMA 16S RNA methylase and a resistance-nodulations-cell division/multidrug efflux pump. Journal of Antimicrobial therapy, 68(1): 34-39, 2013.
Noyal MJS, Menezes GA, Harish BN et. al. Simple screening for detection of carbapenemases in clinical isolates of non-fermentative Gram-negative bacteria. Indian J Med Res 129, 2009.
Oteo J, Hernandez JM, Espasa M et. al. Emergence of OXA-48 producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and the novel carbapenemases OXA-244 and OXA-245 in Spain. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 68:317-321, 2013.
Schultsz C, Geerlings S. Plasmid-Mediated Resistance in Enterobacteriaceae, changing landscape and implications for therapy. Drugs 72(1);1-16, 2012.
Tille P. Bailey and Scott's Diagnostic Microbiology 13th Edition, Elsevier Publishing Co., New York NY, 2013.
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ASCLS-SD Strategic Initiatives: Task Force Updates ASCLS-SD continues its efforts to enhance professional recognition and benefits for its members through work that is being done by our established Task Forces. Below are the update reports from our Strategic Initiative Task Forces.
Student & New Professional Task Force Update By: Stephanie Bonertz, ASCLS-SD NP Board Member-at-Large & Task Force Co-Chair
Your Student & New Professional Task Force is off to a great start this year. Our members are eager to brainstorm new fundraising ideas for our future meetings. We have new ideas for fundraising at the ASCLS-SD/CLMA Fall Collaborative Conference. At our spring meeting in April we plan to have 2 baskets to raffle off. If anyone or any
Spring 2013 - Pg 8
(CLC), of which ASCLS is part of, will be discussing strategy around these proposals at their next meeting. Information will be shared.
No further update has been provided regarding Physician signature on laboratory test requisitions.
FDA needs to notify Congress 60 days in advance of any changes on Laboratory Developed Test (LDT), therefore at the time of this publication has not been addressed.
Patient Rights to Access Clinical Laboratory Test Result Reports has not been finalized.
State Laboratory Licensure: believes that states should license laboratory personnel, and that state licensure legislation should ensure that laboratory personnel possess appropriate academic and clinical training, pass competency-based examination conducted by an approved national certifying organization, and participate in continuing education program. The following states continue their action to pursue licensure: Minnesota, Virginia, Texas and Missouri
The 2013 Legislative Symposium, a two-day meeting held to be held March 18-19 in Washington, DC, provides up to the minute information on legislative and regulatory issues impacting the profession. This symposium was established by ASCLS; the
business would like to donate items to our 2 fundraising baskets, please contact Kay Rasmussen at [email protected] or myself at [email protected].
Our members are developing effective communications for students and new professionals in our society. Richard, the Student Forum Representative, is developing a student survey looking for what is the most effective way to stay in contact after graduation and other opinions new graduates would have about ASCLS-SD society. Social media is everywhere now so with this survey our taskforce could help develop an effective communication to all our members about everything ASCLS-SD has to offer current and future members.
Promotion of the Profession Task Force By: Heather Hall, ASCLS-SD Promotion of the Profession Task Force Chair
The Promoting the Profession Committee started slowly this year but is gearing up for what we hope are some amazing things for Medical Laboratory Professionals Week and other upcoming events. There are several ideas floating around to Promote Our Profession outside of the four walls of the laboratory. The ideas promote involvement of experienced techs, new techs and students. Don’t forget the upcoming spring one-day meeting. This meeting presents a perfect opportunity to show members of the community and facilities where the meeting is being held just who we are. Wear your name badges with pride (even after the meeting) and be ready to explain to others who you are and what you do for each patient. Each one of you can Promote Our Profession!
On the National level, the Promoting the Profession Committee seeks input of “recipes” for simulating patient samples. This may not seem like a way to Promote Our Profession but imagine how much easier it can be for a high school teacher or one of you to attend a career fair if you have a recipe to make a simulated sample that kids can work with safely! If you happen to have any of these recipes around, please pass them to one of the members of the Promoting the Profession Committee and it will get forwarded to the National Level.
If you have an idea that you would like considered for inclusion at the State or National level to Promote Our Profession, feel free to contact Heather Hall, Promoting the Profession Key Contact and ASCLS-SD Committee member. Are you interested in being a part of the Promoting the Profession Committee? Contact any member for information on the next meeting. All are welcome.
Leadership Development Task Force By: Lezlee Koch, ASCLS-SD President & Task Force Co-Chair
The ASCLS Region V Tri-State Leadership Academy is now accepting applications for its very first Leadership Academy which will kick-off at the 2013 ASCLS Region V meeting in Alexandria MN! ASCLS-SD is encouraging all active members to consider applying! ASCLS-SD has budgeted some financial support for the ASCLS-SD applicants that are accepted into the Academy! For additional information, refer to the front page article of this newsletter and visit the ASCLS Region V Tri-State Leadership Academy webpage referenced on page 1. If you have questions prior to applying to the Academy, please feel free to contact:
Lezlee Koch [email protected] Susan Lopez [email protected]
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following organizations are now partnering with us - CLMA, ASCP, AGT, and AMT. The first day session is designed to teach attendees from across the nation about the legislative process and how to present their views on Capitol Hill. On the second day, the attendees visit their legislators’ offices as a unified front of behalf of our profession. Attendees return home from Washington DC with first-hand knowledge of the political system in action and confidence that they make a difference.
Issue Briefings and Seminars to be discussed at the Legislative Symposium include:
Medicare Competitive Bidding
Personal Shortage Co-Payments, Fee
Schedule Cuts Laboratory
Developed Tests
ASCLS-SD Board of Directors Wish You
A Very Happy Easter
Career Recruitment: It's Never Too Early! When medical laboratory professionals discuss career recruitment the discussion usually focuses on high school and junior high. As our nation's educational programs advance, pre-schooler's become proficient using iPads and surfing the web maybe our focus needs to be on even younger children! Look at this awesome example of a first grader's science fair project!
Student: Tessa Van Pelt Age/Grade: 6 years/1st Grade School: R.F. Pettigrew
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ASCLS-SD Spotlight:
2013-14 Candidates for ASCLS-SD Elected Positions
ASCLS-SD proudly salutes this year's candidates! Elections will be held during the 1-day Spring Meeting in Yankton, SD on April 9th! (Candidate information on following pages)
President – Shirley Heber, Sioux Falls SD 1st Vice President – Patricia Tille, Sioux Falls SD 2nd Vice President – Bernie Reddy, Aberdeen SD Board Member at Large –2 positions Tanya Crockett, Vermillion SD Stacie Lansink, Sioux Falls SD New Professional Member at Large – 1 position Katherine Pieschke, Pierre SD Nominations Committee – 2 positions
Deb Pravecek, Freeman SD Lezlee Koch, Colton SD
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Tessa!
ASCLS-SD is very proud of you!
What an awesome science fair project!!!
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ASCLS-SD 2013-14 Presentation of Candidates
President: Shirley Heber, Sioux Falls SD ASCLS member since 2005 Society participation: 1st Vice-President; 2nd Vice President; Secretary/Treasurer; State and Region V Meetings committee member; Publications committee; Government Affairs Chair; Legislative Symposium representative; National meeting delegate; National Consultant SA Chair
Current employment: Laboratory Outreach Consultant, Avera McKennan Regional Laboratory, Sioux Falls SD
Professional Views: The field of laboratory science has provided me with not only a career, but an avenue for continuous learning over the past 30 years. The changes in this field have been extensive, from total “hands-on” manual testing and mouth pipetting to state-of-the-art instrumentation.
My goal as a college student years ago was to work in the medical field where I could make a difference. After 30+ years, I still feel the same goal is applicable and achievable. Laboratorians make a difference in patient lives every day. While the content may be different, the basic premise of laboratory medicine still involves the mystery of the human body and how to solve the puzzles of disease through diagnosis and testing.
ASCLS has provided me with an opportunity to broaden my experiences, and given me the ability to network with other professionals who share my passion for this field. I look forward to serving in whatever areas I can through this nomination.
1st Vice President: Patricia Tille, Sioux Falls SD
ASCLS member since 1992
Society participation: ASCLS-SD Past President; President 2 terms; Student Forum Rep; Region V Student Forum; PACE Coordinator; SA Chair multiple years Microbiology and Molecular; State, National, Regional Meeting committees and speaker; National ASCLS Today co-editor, Awards committee, Molecular SA Chair, SA Co-coordinator, Geriatrics
Position Paper Task Force
Current employment: MLS Program Director, South Dakota State University, Brookings SD
Professional Views: During my experience as a student forum representative, state president, and National Leadership I have maintained that everyone within the profession is a valuable asset. Sometimes as laboratory professionals we do not realize our full potential. As I have in the past, I would continue to reach out to professionals in our region and help others realize their potential for personal and professional growth. I think we need to look at new ways to provide the public with information about who the laboratory professionals are, but I also think as a society we need to strengthen our services and opportunities for interaction through collaborative efforts. Many individuals within our own region are talented, and can share with others as well as participate in professional activities such as publishing or simply providing guidance on a new technique. We need to help make those connections and provide strong mentoring for continued growth within the profession. Finally with the changes and consolidations in professional societies, I would continue to work to help our constituents understand the changes associated with the ASCP/NCA merger, as well as the collaborations between CLMA/ASCLS.
2nd Vice President: Bernie Reddy, Aberdeen SD
ASCLS member since 2000
Society participation: ASCLS Region V Meeting Chair; ASCLS Region V Meeting Vice Chair; ASCLS-SD meeting Chair; ASCLS-SD Member of the Year; Attendance of state, regional and national meetings
Current employment: Laboratory Manager, Avera St. Luke's, Aberdeen SD
Professional Views: Being an MLS for nearly 35 years, I am still excited to come to work. I do not consider my life as an MLS as “just a job”, but this is my profession – my career. I feel that over the last several years we have tried to promote our
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profession, but we need to continue to do this.
We need to make sure that students know who we are and what we do. We need to share our experiences with them. They need to understand that being Laboratory Professional is more than putting a sample on an instrument or collecting blood samples. We need to educate them on how we impact patient care and that what we do makes a difference.
Being a member of ASCLS has helped me become more involved with my profession. I feel that being a member of this organization has given me the opportunity to network with other laboratorians, and helped me understand how we have impacted the patient in ways other than patient testing. We need to energize the techs that consider this as just a job. We need to help them understand the benefits of becoming involved and joining a professional organization.
As 2nd vice president of our organization, I will appreciate the opportunity to broaden my understanding of ASCLS and to explain and promote our organization to coworkers and other laboratory professionals.
Board Member-at-Large – 2 Positions Open (2 year term)
Tanya Crockett, Tyndall SD
ASCLS member since 2010
Society participation: Board appointed Board Member-at Large current; ASCLS-SD and ASCLS Region V meeting committee member; ASCLS-SD Government Affairs Chair; Promotion of the Profession Task Force member; Attendance of state and regional meetings; ASCLS-SD Legislative Symposium delegate.
Current employment: Service Coordinator, Avera Laboratory Network, Sioux Falls SD
Professional Views: As an ASCLS member, I strongly believe in the mission statement:
The mission of ASCLS is to make a positive impact in healthcare through leadership that will assure excellence in the practice of laboratory medicine.
In being an ASCLS member for only a few years, it has already broadened my professional contact and friends in the clinical laboratory field! There is such a wealth of knowledge out there to be shared – but you have to be a part of it! I would like to promote my experience to motivate others to increase their professional involvement and gain more members. Truly educate the importance of a professional society and being professionally involved!
Stacie Lansink, Sioux Falls SD
ASCLS member since 1999 Society participation: ASCLS-SD meeting committee member; Attendance at ASCLS and ASCLS-SD annual
meetings Current employment: MLS Instructor, South Dakota State University, Brookings SD
Professional Views: I have always believed that we need to promote our profession to the best of our abilities. I have worked in an educational capacity since my last position in a hospital and felt it was my duty to promote and educate our profession to individuals that came through the laboratory. I joined ASCLS as a student and have been a member ever since and continue to encourage students to become members and become involved in a great opportunity. In the past year I have started to become more involved and recently attended the National meeting in Los Angeles where meeting other laboratory professionals has given me the confidence to push myself outside my comfort zone.
ASCLS is important to our profession and we need to continue to grow and promote the profession and become a stronger voice in the health care profession.
New Professional Member-at-Large: Katharine Pieschke, Pierre SD
ASCLS member since 2009 Society participation: ASCLS, ASCLS Region V, and ASCLS-SD Student Forum Rep; ASCLS Region V New Professional; Attendance at state, regional and national meetings
Current employment: Senior Microbiologist, South Dakota Public Health Laboratory, Pierre SD
Professional Views: The hardest part about being a student in the medical laboratory field is understanding your values. It’s easy to become a part of ASCLS as a student when your teacher tells you to, but it’s really hard to continue supporting a
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society when you don’t truly understand the principle. I want to get that message out to students who joined because they HAD to. I want them to stay a member because they WANT to. Somebody has to share the message with them in a way that they will understand. I hope I can relate in a way that hits home and keeps them active. Not everyone needs to be a front runner in this society, but there is strength in numbers. In a world where money isn’t easy to share, I want to make it worth their while.
Nominations Committee – 2 Positions Open (1 year term)
Deb Pravecek, Freeman SD
ASCLS member since 1984
Society participation: Past President; President; 1st and 2nd Vice President; ASCLS-SD Nominations Committee; Promotion of Profession Task Force Co-Chair; ASCLS-SD and Region V Secretary/Treasurer; Membership
Task Force member; Membership Chair; PAC Chair; Meeting committee member multiple years; National meeting Delegate multiple years
Current employment: Retired
Professional Views: As laboratory professionals we have an obligation to be active in a professional society. I have chosen the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science because I think it does the most for promotion of our professional at the grassroots level. I have gained so much from my membership in this society. Involvement in ASCLS has been a major reason that I am still passionate about this profession even in retirement. I have made many professional friends who have given me the confidence to extent myself outside of my comfort zone.
I think that the Nominations Committee is so important. It is vital that we get qualified people to serve in our various society positions.
Lezlee Koch, Colton SD ASCLS member since 1974. Graduate of Northern State College, Medical Technology, 1974. Society participation: ASCLS-SD President - 3 previous terms; Publication Committee >10 years; ASCLS Region V Director 2006-2009; ASCLS SA Chair Lab Admin; ASCLS Board liaison Student Forum, New Professionals Committee; Bylaws, Patient Safety Committee; ASCLS Policy/Procedure Committee Chair; ASCLS Executive Committee; ASCLS Bylaws Committee Chair - 6 years; ASCLS MSC member; ASCLS-SD & Region V Meeting
committee member; Alpha Mu Tau member Current employment: Clinical Laboratory Manager, Avera McKennan Hospital & University, Sioux Falls SD
Professional Views: Clinical laboratory professionals have rights and responsibilities not only for themselves, but to their profession and to the public they serve. We have the ability to achieve unbelievable goals with a focused, unified effort through professional involvement in our profession and in ASCLS. Our true professional strength comes through our grassroots members. Every ASCLS member and state constituent society has tremendous untapped potential just waiting to be unleashed to move our organization and profession forward.
I believe…TOGETHER in ASCLS… our VOICE, our VALUE and our VISION will allow us to create the future beginning today. The choice is ours… “To succeed, we must walk our professional path one step at a time with courage, faith, determination and trust in each other.”
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