2025 Annual Convention

9:00-10:00am

10:30-11:30am

1:30-2:30pm

Chemistry/

General

 Understanding Algorithmic Bias in Clinical Laboratories: A Critical Examination of Race and Laboratory Medicine

 This course will explore the growing concern of algorithmic bias in clinical laboratories, with a particular focus on the estimators of glomerular filtration rate (GFR), the kidney donor risk index, and prenatal biochemical screening for open neural tube defects and trisomies. 

Ricky Darnell Grisson, II MD, MBA, MPH

 Uncovering the Clinical, Operational, and Financial Value of the Lab to Patients and the Hospital Using Real World Data and Success

Uncovering the clinical, operational, and financial value of the lab to patients and the hospital using real world data and success.  

Jonathan Burgart, MBA

Sponsor: Abbott

 How Next Generation Biomarkers Can Address Diagnostic Challenges Within Alzheimer's Disease

Beckman Coulter's presentation will provide an overview of the current landscape of AD biomarkers, as well as key industry challenges. The presentation will highlight the advantages of pTau217 as an AD biomarker, and how research grade-sensitivity is enabled on the DxI 9000 Immunoassay platform. 

 Jonathan Lin

Sponsor by: Beckman Coulter

Hematology

 Presentation of Selected Neonatal and Pediatric Hematologic Disorders with Particular Emphasis on Peripheral Blood and Bone Marrow Features

 Presentation of selected neonatal and pediatric hematologic disorders with particular emphasis on peripheral blood and bone marrow features

Dariusz Stachurski, MD

 Flow Cytometry in Hematopathology

Flow cytometry (FC) is a powerful tool used to detect and measure both physical and chemical characteristics of specific cell types in heterogeneous cell matrices. CD markers against proteins and enzymes are used to identify lineage, stage of maturation, cell targets and prognostic information in Hematologic malignancies. FC is instrumental in the multidisciplinary approach of Hematologic Malignancy. Case studies will be used as illustrations. 

Karen Ferreira, PhD

 Case Studies in Hemostasis and Unprovoked Thrombosis: Coagulation Conundrums

 Coagulation testing is often not well understood, especially the role of specific specialized confirmatory coagulation tests, as well as their role in specific clinical cases. This presentation aims to describe the coagulation process in general, then identify the role of different routine and specialized coagulation assays in the context of specific clinical cases.

Paul Riley, PhD, MBA

Sponsored by: Diagnostica Stago, Inc.

Microbiology

 Lessons Learned to Improve Biosafety- Part 1

 Preventing LAIs is a constant challenge, especially when dealing with an emerging pathogen. It is extremely important to determine: if there has been an exposure, how many may have been exposed, what to do next, the root cause, gaps in the biosafety plan, and what additional mitigation measures are needed.

Shoolah Escott, MS, MLS (ASCP

 Lessons Learned to Improve Biosafety- Part 2

 Preventing LAIs is a constant challenge, especially when dealing with an emerging pathogen. It is extremely important to determine: if there has been an exposure, how many may have been exposed, what to do next, the root cause, gaps in the biosafety plan, and what additional mitigation measures are needed. 

Shoolah Escott, MS, MLS (ASCP)

  From Classic Microbiology to     Lab Automation:         Redefining Roles, Efficiency, Accuracy and Standardization

Explore the shift from classic microbiology to lab automation and its impact on standardization, efficiency, technician roles, and turn around times. This presentation highlights how automation enhances workflows, optimizes FTE utilization, and sets a new standard for consistency and productivity in the labs that ultimately has to potential to impact optimize antimicrobial use and sepsis patient outcomes.

Jordan Cardinal, PharmD, BCPS & Shelby Kruer, MLS, ASCP

Sponsor: Becton Dickinson

Transfusion Medicine

 CAR T-cell Therapy: From Bedside to Laboratory Assessments

 We will review the landscape of approved CAR-T therapies for hematologic malignancies and address current and possible future laboratory based testing and analysis that guides therapy and toxicity management.

Ari Pelcovits, MD

 Wild West of Warm Autoantibodies (WAA)

 The attendee will learn the various ways warm autoantibodies are evaluated in a blood bank/ transfusion medicine service. Challenges in pretransfusion testing and blood product selection will be addressed.

Stephanie Conrad, MD, MS

Kathleen Rafferty, MLS(ASCP)SBB

 Solving the Rh Mystery in the Blood Bank

This topic will discuss the Rh Molecule in depth including: Rh Neg vs weak D and partial D, and Rh Null. Discussion of Rhogam (K-B & FMH Tests) and transfusion administration in relation to RhD, and how to understand and treat Rh discrepancies in the blood bank/transfusion services. 

Melissa JA Laufer, BS, BB/SBB (ASCP)

Sponsor: Bio Rad

Closing Keynote Speaker

3pm to 4pm

How to Prepare Your Health System for the Lab of the Future

We will review several of the challenges being faced by laboratory s and HCOs today, then explore unique solutions to these obstacles. 

Donna Young BSMT, ASCP (DLM), MBA

Sponsor: Quest Diagnostics

Luncheon Speaker

12:00-1:00pm

Transforming Healthcare: Emerging Trends in Health Informatics and Technology

Explore how emerging technologies such as AI, data interoperability standards, and data analytics are revolutionizing healthcare delivery, enhancing patient outcomes, and streamlining operations. This session reviews current trends and their implications for modern healthcare practices. 

Nafees Qamar, PhD

Opening Keynote Speaker

9:00-10:00am

Artificial Intelligence in the Clinical Laboratory: Current and Future Implementation

This session will provide attendees with the basics of artificial intelligence (A.I.) discussing computer learning pathways. We will discuss its use in healthcare today and review pros and cons of its implementation and the future of this technology.

Michelle A. Parent MS, PhD, MLS(ASCP)cm

10:30-11:30am

1:30-2:30pm

3:00-4:00pm

Chemistry/

General

Lipoprotein (a)  Shining a new light on Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

This presentation will discuss the global impact of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease across the world, explain the clinical relevance of Lp(a) as an independent risk factor in cardiovascular disease morbidity, and recognize the updated guidelines for the monitoring of lipids. 

Allyson J Kozak, PhD, MBA, NRCC

Sponsor: Roche Diagnostics

 Cervical Cancer Unmasked: Navigating Screening, Management, & Biomarker Triage in the US

This presentation will explore the impact of HPV on cervical cancer, evaluate current U.S. screening and management guidelines, and review FDA-approved testing methods. It will also highlight biomarker triage testing principles and their clinical relevance while envisioning future advancements in screening and guidelines for cervical cancer prevention. 

Chairut Vareechon, PhD,D(ABMM)

Sponsor: Roche Diagnostics

 GLP-1 Receptor Agonists and the Medical Laboratory

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists have become increasingly important for Diabetes and Obesity treatment. This session will explore their biological function and impact on laboratory medicine. 

 Kyle Riding, PhD, MLS(ASCP)^CM

Hematology

 Platelets: Development & Functionality

Platelets may lack a nucleus but they are not lacking in complexity! Megakaryocyte maturation and thrombocytopoiesis will be discussed, along with the normal physiological processes of platelets. Platelet functionality in resting and activated platelets will also be discussed.

Malissa Norfolk, MBA, PMP, MLS(ASCP)SH

  Digital Hematology Case Studies 

This presentation will provide an overview of the digital cell morphology, and it benefits. Hematology case studies will be reviewed with a live demo of peripheral blood smear digitalization.

Luz Flaherty, MPH, MT(ASCP)

 Peripheral Blood: Morphology of Infectious Diseases 

A review of peripheral blood morphologic abnormalities in the context of various infectious disorders.

Dragos C Luca, MD

Microbiology

 Cracking the Case: Clinical Microbiology Challenges in Organism Identification and Emerging Pathogens of the Northeast 

This talk, tailored for clinical laboratory scientists, explores clinical microbiology case studies with a focus on organism identification. Attendees will review challenging cases, several will focus on problematic pathogens and emerging pathogens specifically for the Northeast Region. Discussions will include key patient history along with biochemical identification techniques.

 Michelle A. Parent MS, PhD, MLS(ASCP)^cm

 Considerations for Adoption and Implementation of Fast Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing 

This presentation will explore the concept of "fast" in fast AST, review the current landscape of fast AST, and discuss key considerations for its adoption and implementation in microbiology laboratories. Attendees will gain insights into integrating fast AST into workflows to ideally enhance patient care and laboratory efficiency.

Brandon Hill, PharmD, BCIDP

Sponsor: bioMerieux

Modern Methods in Bacterial Identification: How Do They Benefit Us?  

Discussion of modern microbiology diagnostic technologies, the different stories they tell us, and their pros/cons.

Philip Jessmon, PhD

Sponsor: Bruker 

Transfusion Medicine 

 Sickle Cell Disease- Advancing Equitable Care

Sickle Cell Disease

Patrick T McGann, MD PhD

 The State of D Testing for Pregnancy 

This presentation is about D testing discrepancies in pregnancy and how to handle them. We will talk about variant D types in detail.

 Nalan Yurtsever, MD 

 Overview of Autologous Stem Cell Transplant 

Speaker will discuss about the indication of autologous stem cell transplant, process of stem cell transplant and outcomes with various diseases.

Rabin Niroula

Luncheon Speaker

12:00-1:00pm

 Closing the Gap – A Workforce Opportunity 

This session will address the educational opportunities that are available to potential hires with bachelor's degrees that do not require full time enrollment in a hospital or university-based program and how this alternative pathway can address the workforce challenges while maintaining a high level of expertise and knowledge.

Theresa Tellier-Castellone, Ed.D, MPH MLS (ASCP)