School of Allied Health Professions

Speakers

Titles, Topics, and Objectives

At the completion of this session, the participant will

Lauren Ashcraft, MLS(ASCP)

Seminar Title: Adrenal Gland Disorders: Addison's and Cushing's

Description: An overview of the adrenal glands: location, hormones produced, Addison's disease, and Cushing's disease.

Objectives:

1. Identify the hormones produced by the adrenal glands.
2. Describe Addison's disease.
3. Describe Cushing's disease.

Level of presentation: Basic

Grace Athas, PhD, MLS(ASCP)^CM

Seminar Title: Vaccines: evidence-based medicine and societal perceptions 

Description: Immunization is a cornerstone of public health that has saved countless lives, prevented numerous diseases, and significantly improved the overall quality of life for people around the world.  Social media has amplified vaccine misinformation over the past decade, leading to outbreaks and deaths from vaccine-preventable diseases. We will discuss the science behind vaccine technology, successes, and the history of misinformation leading to vaccine hesitancy.

Objectives:

1. Identify and Recognize Vaccine History and Fallacies.
2. Identify and summarize childhood and adult vaccine schedules and the scientific basis of these vaccines.
3. Identify and review current and future vaccine technology.

Level of presentation: Intermediate

Stephanie Blackburn, EdD, MLS(ASCP)cm

Seminar Title: Confronting the Global Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance

Description: This presentation explores the rising threat of antimicrobial resistance and the impact on public health. It emphasizes mechanisms of resistance, factors that contribute to antimicrobial resistance, and current initiatives to reduce this ongoing threat. 

Objectives:

1. Describe a variety of mechanisms that cause antimicrobial resistance.
2. Explore the impact of antimicrobial resistance on public health.
3. Discuss current initiatives to combat antimicrobial resistance. 

Level of presentation: Advanced

Lee Ellen Brunson, MHS, MLS(ASCP)CM

Seminar Title: Achy Breaky Heart: A Look Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy

Description: Stress-induced cardiomyopathy, also known as broken heart syndrome, is a typically-temporary heart condition often triggered by extreme stress or emotional events.This presentation will discuss the suspected causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment of stress-induced cardiomyopathy.

Objectives:

1. Describe the clinical presentation of stress-induced cardiomyopathy.
2. Discuss suspected causes of stress-induced cardiomyopathy.
3. Explain how symptoms, testing, and the exclusion of other conditions are used to diagnose and monitor this condition. 

Level of presentation: Intermediate

Kristin Butler, MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM

Seminar Title: An Unusual Case Report of Post-Transfusion Purpura

Description: This presentation will discuss a recently published case report of an elderly male who develops severe post-transfusion purpura (PTP) after being treated for cardiogenic shock. 

Objectives:

1. Characterize  the rare adverse condition of post-transfusion purpura (PTP).
2. Discuss the development of alloantibodies to human platelet antigens (HPAs).
3. Describe diagnosis, treatment, and management strategies for controlling PTP.

Level of presentation: Intermediate

Christen Diel, MS, MLS(ASCP)

Seminar Title: DCLS Driven Laboratory Utilization for Specimen Referral Testing

Description: Send-Out testing can drive up significant costs and resources. WellstarMCG has developed a Utilization Review process to mitigate these wastes through a targeted review of high-cost or often misutilized tests. Our resident-led clinical assessments ensure clinically necessity, pioneering a more cost-effective and patient-centered approach to laboratory testing.

Objectives:​

1. Identify key stakeholders and members of a lab utilization team.
2. Distinguish the possible decision end-points based on the case review.
3. Summarize the flow of information according to the Specimen Referral Utilization Review Process.

Level of presentation: Intermediate

Christen Diel, MS, MLS(ASCP)

Seminar Title: Hidden Infections: The Organisms You Might Not See (Microbiology Case Studies)

Description: Two-Three microbiology case reports that were not easily detected using conventional laboratory testing. Cases include Naegleri Fowleri, Capnocytophaga bactermia, and Coxsackie Virus complicated by Rhabdomyolysis in adult.  

Objectives:​

1. Identify risk factors and pathogens that may cause meningoencephalopthy in previously healthy teenager.
2. Analyze laboratory data and clinical history to postulate a source of infection in a hospitalized patient with complicated presentation.
3. Differentiate potential infectious agents that are associated with sever rhabdomyolysis. 

Level of presentation: 

Alexa Little, MBEC, MLS(ASCP)cm

Seminar Title: CLIA 2025: Navigating New Personnel Qualifications & Regulations

Description: This seminar provides an in-depth overview of the 2025 CLIA regulatory updates, including revised personnel qualifications and new laboratory requirements. Attendees will gain clarity on compliance changes and have the opportunity to address regulatory concerns through an interactive Q&A session.

Objectives:

1. Detail recent CLIA regulatory changes, including updates to personnel qualifications and additional laboratory requirements.
2. Provide clarity on compliance expectations to ensure adherence to the latest CLIA standards.
3. Address regulatory and compliance-related questions through an interactive Q&A session.

Level of presentation: Intermediate