Member Webinar: Learn about Labvocacy Opportunities in the New Year

January 12, 8 pm Eastern

Labvocacy: 117th Congress and New Administration

Speakers: Patrick Cooney and Jim Flanigan, CAE

This presentation will provide a briefing on current federal regulatory and legislative issues like laboratory workforce, regulation of laboratory developed tests, and laboratory reimbursement. The presenters will preview the environment that is likely in a new Congress and with a new Administration, and how laboratory issues are likely to be affected.

Earn 1.0 Hour of P.A.C.E.^® credit. Free for ASCLS Members (Non-Members: $10) Sign up today!

ASCLS is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.^® Program.

Annual Laboratory Legislative Symposium Update

The annual face-to-face Laboratory Legislative Symposium will not be held in March 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. ASCLS is currently working on designing a virtual option for spring 2021, focused the laboratory workforce shortage. Stay tuned for more details on how you can be a labvocate for this critical issue.

Ask Me Anything: Preparing for and Obtaining Your Certification

Join the ASCLS Developing Professionals Forum (DPF) for this month's Ask Me Anything (AMA): Preparing for and Obtaining Your Certification on December 20 at 8 pm Eastern. This AMA will feature recent grads, as well as an educator, to answer all of your questions about how to register for and prepare for the MLS and MLT BOC certification exams.

Panelists include Kate DeAngelo, MLS(ASCP)^CM; Heather Herrington, MLS(ASCP)^CM; Jessica Lawless, MLS(ASCP)^CM; and Mariane Wolfe, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM.

The DPF and Ascending Professionals Forum (APF) host 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.

Events

Virtual CLEC 2021 Early Bird Registration Ends December 30

The 2021 Virtual Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC), February 25-27, will offer a wide range of timely topics, providing you with the knowledge and skills to navigate the evolving landscape for the clinical laboratory education community.

The all-virtual format allows you to:

• Participate in more than 40 hours of P.A.C.E.^®-approved continuing education.
• Connect with your community of medical laboratory educators for support and camaraderie.
• Receive access to all session recordings for 30 days after the event.
• Design an individual meeting schedule that fits your work and personal life.

Register by December 30 to get the early bird rate and save $100 off the final registration rate.

Registration Open for Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference (ELMC²)

January 15-16, 2021 - Virtual
Register Now

The most recent ASCP vacancy survey showed that nearly one-third of managers in the core lab planned to retire in the next five years. For some areas like hematology and microbiology, that percentage is higher. As an entire generation of laboratory professionals leave the workforce, younger, less experienced laboratory professionals are being pressed into service in management for positions in which they have received no training.

The completely virtual EMLC² is specifically designed for laboratory professionals transitioning or hoping to transition into management.

A special website to host the online community and serve as the virtual hub for the meeting is being constructed at www.elmc2.org. Check back for updates.

Registration Rates

• ASCLS Members $195/Non-Members $245
• Groups of five: $170 each
• Groups of 10: $160 each
• Groups of 20: $150 each

Interested in group rates? Contact ascls@ascls.org.

Program Highlights

• 20 hours of P.A.C.E.^®-accredited education that will be recorded and available for streaming for up to 30 days after the conference.
• Access to Ask the Expert (ATE) sessions and short-term mentorship
• Educational content in Personnel Management, Culture and Ethics, Operations, Financial Management, Informatics and Automation, and Compliance

Celebrate Diversity and Ignite Discussion during PRISM in January 2021

The ASCLS Diversity Advocacy Council (DAC) is excited to announce the new Glenda Price Diversity in Leadership Award. The award honors Glenda Price, the first African American president of ASCLS, and was created to promote diversity and inclusion within the ASCLS Leadership Academy, and ultimately the Society.

To celebrate this award and ignite discussions regarding diversity in the profession and the inequities in our healthcare system, the DAC invites you to participate in PRISM: Pride · Respect · Inclusion · Support · Momentum, debuting in January 2021. As leaders and members, we understand that the most uncomfortable conversations can be the most educational, productive, and inspiring. It is with this in mind that the DAC organized PRISM, a series of virtual activities that will culminate with a candid conversation with Glenda Price.

• January 13, PRISM Virtual Book Club. Read the #1 New York Times Bestseller and Oprah Book Club pick, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson.
• January 14, 7 pm EST, Health Disparities with Dr. Robin L. Eubanks, associate professor at Rutgers University Biomedical and Health Sciences - School of Health Professions in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. Dr. Eubanks will give a brief overview on health disparities and cultural humility. The overview will be followed by a town hall style discussion.
• January 15, PRISM Online Fundraiser. All proceeds will go towards the Glenda Price Diversity in Leadership Award.
• January 18, 7 pm EST, Candid Conversations: Glenda Price. Cheryl Caskey, past president of ASCLS, will interview Glenda Price, first African American president of ASCLS.

First Mid-Year Virtual House of Delegates Meeting to be Held January 17

The ASCLS House of Delegates convenes at the Annual Meeting of the Society, and has authority within the Society regarding the:

• election of the officers and members of the Board of Directors and of elective committees;
• adoption and amendment of the Bylaws and the Articles of Incorporation according to the laws of the state of incorporation; and
• approval of professional practice standards, position papers, and the scope and direction for the Society and the profession.

The ASCLS Board of Directors has determined that a mid-year, virtual meeting of the House of Delegates is needed on an ongoing basis. Sunday, January 17, 2021, at 2:00 pm Eastern, ASCLS will hold its first, mid-year meeting of the ASCLS House of Delegates.

One significant piece of business is a discussion of the Final Report of the House of Delegates Taskforce, which has been referred to the House of Delegates by the Board of Directors. After January 1, delegates will receive information about how to access the meeting. The meeting will also be broadcast live to non-delegate members who wish to view the proceedings.

Call for Nominations for National Postitions

The Nominations Committee is seeking qualified members interested in serving in an elected national position beginning in July 2021. If you or someone you know should be nominated, contact Nominations Committee Chair Deb Rodahl by January 15, 2021.

• President-elect (3-year commitment, automatically succeeding to President and Past President)
• Region Directors for Regions III, IV, V, and VI (3-year term)
• Judicial Committee (two positions, one 5-year term and one 3-year term)
• Nominations Committee (two positions, 3-year term)

Learn more about each position's eligibility requirements and duties.

Deb Rodahl Named New ASCLS Today Editor

The ASCLS Board of Directors named Deb Rodahl, past ASCLS president, as the incoming editor of ASCLS Today. Deb will assume the position in January 2021, taking over for Cheryl Caskey, who is stepping down after many years leading the Society's newsletter. Cheryl and Deb will work closely together in early 2021 to ensure a smooth transition.

Congratulations to Deb, and thank you to Cheryl for your years of dedication to ASCLS Today and the Society.

ASCLS Education and Research Fund Raises $2,300 for Member Research Grants

Thank you to everyone who participated in the ASCLS Education & Research Fund, Inc., Handmade for the Holidays fundraiser. The event featured a raffle, silent auction, and handmade items for sale, raising about $2,300 for ASCLS member research grants.

Established in 1953, the fund supports scholarships for clinical laboratory science students and funds research in laboratory science to be used for pilot studies, preliminary data collection, and early grants for investigators new to research.

New Episodes of Off the Bench Podcast

Subscribe to the Off the Bench Podcast for discussions on scientific and not-to-scientific ideas in laboratory medicine. New episodes drop the last Friday of each month.

The November 27 episode, "Transgender Health," focuses on the medical laboratory’s role in addressing gaps in healthcare quality for transgender patients.

Stay tuned for the next episode, coming out early on December 23, "Understanding Emerging Zoonotic Diseases on a Global Scale with Dr. Tracey Goldstein." You can even earn P.A.C.E.^® credit for that episode!

Subscribe to the podcast through Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Podcasts.

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week

Sign Up for 6th Annual ASCLS Lab Week Run

Step out of your labs and into your communities to help spread the word about the medical laboratory profession by participating in the ASCLS Lab Week Virtual Run.

This virtual race can be run at any time during Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (April 18-24, 2021) and can be run anywhere. Participants can walk, use a treadmill, run outside, or even ride a bike to complete the 5K distance (or 3.1 miles).

Early Bird Pricing is available through February 15. All proceeds go to grants and scholarships that help medical laboratory professionals attend ASCLS meetings, lobby representatives for the profession, and become future leaders in the field.

Race organizers are currently looking for sponsors. If you or someone you know is interested in reaching thousands of laboratory professionals, please contact info@labweekrun.com.

2021 Awards and Scholarships Deadlines

Submit Awards Nominations by February 15

Do you know someone who would be a good candidate for an ASCLS award, grant, or scholarship? The ASCLS Awards Committee encourages members to submit nominations for the following awards by February 15.

• Ascending Professional Leadership Award
• Developing Professional Leadership Award
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• State Society Website Award
• State Society Publications Award (for both print and web-based publications)
• Scientific Assembly Professional Achievement Award
• Scientific Research Award
• Theriot Award (for media and equipment development)

Details for applying for these awards and the link to submit applications are on the Awards and Scholarships webpage. Questions can be addressed to the Awards Committee at awards@ascls.org.

Nominating a worthy member for one of these awards is a great way to recognize the valued work of our dedicated members and to honor them at the Awards Ceremony at the 2021 Joint Annual Meeting, June 27-July 1.

Scholarship Applications Due April 1

The Alpha Mu Tau Fraternity and ASCLS Education and Research Fund support the advancement of medical laboratory professionals through graduate and undergraduate scholarships for clinical laboratory science students. Applicants for all scholarships must be ASCLS members. Learn more about eligibility requirements and download the application.

ASCLS Voices Under 40

Spotlight: Franki-Marie Herdt, MLS(ASCP)^CMM(ASCP), Cheyenne,Wyoming

Franki is employed by Cheyenne Regional Medical Center as the microbiology lead technical specialist and serves as head of their morale group. She currently serves as the Wyoming state president.

“My motivation is for our profession. From the moment I heard about the organization, I realized we would not be anywhere without it. From the members fighting in Washington, DC, to the techs reaching out to one another to figure out best patient care, we are all making a huge difference and making sure we are doing what is best for our patients and each other. I also have such a deep connection with others in our profession. Something about the people being in the trenches everyday alongside you makes me want to fight for better working conditions, wages, and safety for everyone." Read more.

Spotlight: Alexandra Nussbaum, MLS(ASCP)^CM, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Alexandra currently works in the Microbiology Laboratory and Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) Department at Hennepin County Medical Center. In her role in the Microbiology Department, she is actively involved in routine laboratory testing, and also performs validation and verifications of new instrumentation coming into the laboratory. In the LIS, she plays an active role in microbiology-related projects, such as new test builds, instrumentation implementation, and interfacing.

Alexandra has served as the Ascending Professional Forum secretary, the Political Action Committee secretary, as well as other national and state positions. When asked about her motivation for actively being involved, Alexandra responded that her “involvement grows as I watch the dedicated members of the organization do amazing work on behalf of the profession. Like so many others I want to see recognition of my profession, fair treatment of the profession, and to have the same opportunities for members of the profession as others in the healthcare field." 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 the shining voices who were selected from many nominations across the country.

ASCLS Career Center

Find a Job, Fill a Job

The ASCLS Career Center is part of the National Healthcare Network, giving ASCLS members access to a vast, interprofessionally connected set of career networks in healthcare.

Job seekers can browse nearly 4,000 open positions and post your resume and contact information for employers who are looking to fill open positions. ASCLS members are flagged for higher visibility, giving you a leg up on the competition. Set up email job alerts based on personalized search criteria so you are the first to know about new positions that fit your needs.

Employers who post open positions have access to more than 45,000 searchable resumes and can set up email resume alerts. Find the best medical laboratory professionals for your lab or institution.

Connect: The Community Conversations

Read the recent discussion threads on ASCLS Connect and join the conversations:

• Check out a new feature to post either an "Open-ended Discussion" or a "Question to be answered" in the Open Forum. You can sort threads by type, and you can up vote your favorite responses to questions answered.
• In the Open Forum, members are sharing media coverage of medical laboratory professionals, including a piece in the New York Times, local coverage in Seattle and Minnesota; and a piece on The Conversation.
• In the Hematology/Hemostasis Scientific Assembly, members shared experiences with platelet aggregometers.
• Members responded to the Chemistry/Urinalysis Scientific Assembly question of the month for November.
• The Patient Safety and Healthcare Quality Community shared new Advocate Excellence blog posts, including Measuring Diagnostic Errors and Healing After Harm Webinar.
• ASCLS continues to share CDC alerts and updates for laboratories through the Open Forum.

Download the MemberCentric App on your mobile device to get the community conversations and more in the palm of your hand.

Key Dates

CLEC 2021 Early Registration Deadline
December 30

Labvocacy: 117th Congress and New Administration Webinar
January 12