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: Too Much of a Good Thing: The Dangers of Hypervitaminosis

Description: Hypervitaminosis is a condition caused by an accumulation of excessive levels of vitamins in the body, which may result in adverse health effects. It often develops due to high-dose supplementation or overconsumption of fortified foods. While vitamins play a vital role in maintaining health, excessive intake poses significant risks.

Objectives:

1. Define hypervitaminosis and list common types.
2. Identify symptoms of hypervitaminosis.
3. Describe causes and risk factors of hypervitaminosis.

Level of presentation: Basic

Stephanie Blackburn, EdD, MLS(ASCP)cm

Seminar Title: Bacterial Meningitis: From Presentation to Prevention

Description: Bacterial meningitis is a medical emergency that requires rapid recognition and prompt intervention to reduce morbidity and mortality. This seminar provides an overview of bacterial meningitis, including common causative organisms, key clinical signs and symptoms, diagnostic approaches, treatment strategies, and prevention measures.

Objectives:

1. Identify the most common bacterial pathogens associated with meningitis across different age groups and risk populations.
2. Distinguish bacterial and viral meningitis.
3. Discuss laboratory findings, treatment strategies, and prevention measures for bacterial meningitis. 

Level of presentation: Intermediate

Lee Ellen Brunson, MHS, MLS(ASCP)CM

Seminar Title: Lead Poisoning: A Heavy (Metal) Topic of Discussion

Description: Lead poisoning can cause serious health problems in children and adults, often through environmental exposure. Despite government regulations, it remains a significant public health concern. Laboratory testing is critical in the evaluation and treatment of lead toxicity. 

Objectives:

1. Describe the pathophysiology of lead poisoning.
2. Discuss clinical manifestations of lead toxicity.
3. Explain the role of the clinical laboratory in detection and monitoring of lead exposure. 

Level of presentation: Intermediate

Kristin Butler, MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM

Seminar Title: Bad Bugs, Broken Red Cells: Recognizing Infection-Triggered Hemolysis in the Clinical Lab

Description: This session explores viral, bacterial, and parasitic causes of immune-mediated red cell destruction, highlighting distinctive laboratory patterns and practical workflows to help laboratory professionals recognize, investigate, and manage unexpected hemolysis and complex serologic findings due to infection.

Objectives:

1. Differentiate immune-mediated hemolysis caused by viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections.
2. Apply transfusion service workflows to investigate suspected immune-mediate hemolytic processes.
3. Recognize unique laboratory patterns associated with specific infectious triggers.

Level of presentation: Intermediate

Marion Carroll, PhD, MSc, MDxt(ABB)

Seminar Title: Fundamentals of hematopoietic Stem Cell (HSC) collection, processing and infusion

Description: The development of stem cells for life-saving procedures was a gradual process, born from Cold War-era radiobiology research and advanced by the persistent efforts of a few dedicated scientific groups who refused to give up in the face of early, significant failures.

Objectives:

1. George Mathé coined the term "graft-vs.-leukemia (GvL) effect”. We will discuss histocompatibility and the development of GvHD prophylaxis.
2. Receipt and initial assessment of the collected product, product processing and manipulation and infusion.
3. Monitoring of patient response, adverse reactions and engraftment. 

Level of presentation: Intermediate

Grace B. Athas, Ph.D., MLS

Seminar Title: The Story of Incretin Therapies

Description: etin-based therapies, particularly GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GIP/GLP-1 agonists have revolutionized metabolic medicine but have also sparked significant psychological and societal conversations, heavily influenced by intense media coverage. A look at the history, biochemistry, physiology,and pharmacology of these agents for T2DM and obesity will be presented.

Objectives:

1. Explain the physiology of incretins and incretin receptor agonists on regulating blood sugar and metabolic homeostasis
2. Identify indications and contraindications for treatment with incretins
3. Discuss side effects and multifaceted roles for incretin therapies

Level of presentation: Intermediate