Cuba Delegation 2017

ASCLS Past President Barbara Snyderman is leading an ASCLS Delegation to Cuba, October 9-14, 2017 working with partner Professionals Abroad.  The purpose of the delegation is to meet with laboratory counterparts in Cuba to learn about the challenges and advances in healthcare delivery at all levels in Cuba. 

The goals of the delegation and initial topics of discussion for the meetings and site visits have been preliminarily identified as the following:

  • Development of Health Care in Cuba
  • Approach to trauma – what is Cuba’s position? Trauma System development in the US
  • Quality and Value in the delivery of health care
  • Public Health, priorities (prevention of disease, maternal-fetal and infant care, etc.) in Cuba
  • Financing of Health Care in Cuba.  Contrasting two approaches (US and Cuba)
  • Cancer Care, Centers of Excellence and population health.  A paradox?

Delegates will participate in professional meetings and site visits each day; the interests and composition of the team will determine the final meetings and topics for discussion. A Preliminary Schedule of Activities has been developed.

This delegation will be travelling under OFAC regulation 31 CFR §515.564 General license for professional research.  This license supports our access to the highest level professionals in Cuba. Each member of the delegation must be in compliance with the General License issued by OFAC authorizing full-time professionals to conduct a full-time schedule of research activities in Cuba with the likelihood that this research will be publicly disseminated. To ensure compliance, each participant in the program will be required to provide a resume and sign an affidavit attesting to his or her status as a full-time professional, paid or unpaid, in the field of research.  

For those interested in having a guest join you in Cuba during the professional delegation, Professionals Abroad will arrange a limited guest program offering accommodation, airfare, transfers, and dinners with the delegates. The guest program is available only for a delegate’s spouse or immediate family member.

For enrollment information and to register, visit ATA Professional Abroad.

This delegation will convene in Miami, Florida on October 9, 2017 at which time we will depart for Cuba, returning to the United States on October 14, 2017.  Travel arrangements will be arranged through Professionals Abroad, a division of Academic Travel Abroad. Questions regarding the delegation can be directed to the Program Representative at Professionals Abroad, at 1-877-298-9677.

For U.S. citizens, expenses associated with this program may be tax deductible as an ordinary and necessary business expense. You should consult with a tax advisor to determine if tax deductibility is applicable to you.  

Due to the extensive planning and communication involved in coordinating a program of this nature, those interested are asked to please respond with their intentions as soon as possible. Please RSVP to Professionals Abroad at 1-877-298-9677 or click here to be directed to the enrollment website. A $500 deposit is required to reserve a place on the team.

Continuing Education

professionalContinuing education generally refers to ongoing learning opportunities available to professionals and students through their organizations and governing bodies. Effective continuing education is often seen as vital to clinical success and job satisfaction, but it has also been criticized for its cost, often vaguely determined goals, and for the lack of data on resulting teacher and school improvement that characterizes many efforts. ASCLS is committed to helping its members grow and learn with many programs and sources listed to the right.

 

CE Organizer Data Transfer

CE Organizer Data Transfer – An Additional Member Benefit

What is this?
ASCLS members can now choose to have their CE Organizer P.A.C.E.® certificate data automatically downloaded to the Board of Certification (BOC). You will no longer have to enter ASCLS P.A.C.E.® certificate events into your BOC Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) form for re-certification purposes.

How does it work? 
When you log in to CE Organizer, a pop-up box may ask you to enter your ASCP user ID number. This identifier, along with other information, will allow ASCLS P.A.C.E.® certificate information from January 1, 2012, forward to be included in weekly reports sent to the BOC, where it will be stored in your CMP Declaration file.

If you do not remember your ASCP user ID number when the pop-up appears, you can by-pass the pop-up box by clicking on the X in the lower right corner. The pop-up will appear only the one time. When you have your ASCP Customer ID, email it to ascls@ascls.org so it can be added to your account information.

What is my ASCP user ID number? 

The ASCP user ID number is the number you create when you set up an account with ASCP; it is not your certification number. The number is associated with any ASCP purchases you might make and with your Certification Maintenance Program. If you do not have this ID number or cannot remember it, go to the ASCP login site.

How do I know if my data was transferred to the BOC?

1.  Go to www.ascp.org and log in.

2.  Scroll down to BOC activities.

3.  Under CMP Declaration Form, click on View or Submit.

4.  Next page, click on Add a Declaration.

5.  You may need to click Next again to get to the listing.

If there are CE Organizer entries from 2012 that you feel are missing, contact ascls@ascls.org or call 571-748-3770. 

Please note: The CE information sent to the BOC is the P.A.C.E.® certificate data from certificates you generated using session codes from national ASCLS and/or ASCLS state society continuing education events. Information that you may have self-entered in your CE Organizer transcript will not be sent to the BOC.

If you have questions or need help, contact ascls@ascls.org.