School of Allied Health Professions

Speakers

Titles, Topics, and Objectives

At the completion of this session, the participant will

Stephanie Blackburn, EdD, MHS, MLS(ASCP)^CM

Assistant Professor
LSU Health-Shreveport

Seminar Title: Bubonic Plague and its Presence in the United States

Description:  In the United States, most plague cases have been bubonic plague. Although the disease is not endemic in our country, we continue to see a few cases reported every year. This session will provide the history and epidemiology of bubonic plague, as well as evaluating recent cases in the United States.

Objectives:

1. Examine the historical context and evolution of bubonic plague outbreaks.
2. Analyze the primary routes of transmission of bubonic plague. 
3. Assess current surveillance systems for detecting and managing bubonic plague cases. 

Level of presentation: Intermediate

Grace Athas, PhD, MLS(ASCP)^CM

Seminar Title: Health Challenges in Olympic Athletes

Description: Making the Olympics, let alone winning a medal, is the ultimate show of physical health and mental strength. Many Olympic athletes have trained to overcome significant health challenges to reach the pinnacle of their sport. We will examine several of these diseases, their diagnoses, and therapeutic treatment of athletes in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Objectives:

1. Identify/describe genes proposed to be associated with athletic performance.
2. Identify/describe several genetic/environmentally associated disease in Olympic athletes.
3. Identify/describe the IOC's efforts to recognize an improve care of mental health issues found in Olympic athletes.

Level of presentation: Basic

Christen Diel, MS, MLS(ASCP)

Seminar Title: The DCLS Resident Experience

Description: A day in the life of a DCLS Resident student at a 500+ level 1 trauma center and teaching hospital. Learn about the roles of a DCLS in Pathology Utilization, Specimen Referral Management, Consumer Information Response, and Diagnostic Management Teams.

Objectives:​

1. List the intended roles of the DCLS practioner.
2. Define the Diagnostic Consultation Model in relation to URI, PCI, CIR, and DMI.
3. Summarize the potential benefits and cost savings in a hospital setting.

Level of presentation: Intermediate

Kristin Butler, MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM

Seminar Title: Arboviruses in the news: What to know about Dengue, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and West Nile

Description: Have you seen the news reports lately covering small outbreaks of mosquito-borne illness in the United States? This program will discuss Dengue virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, and West Nile virus, including the current outbreaks of each, epidemiology of each, and relevant laboratory testing for diagnosis and treatment.

Objectives:

1. Describe the epidemiology of Dengue virus, Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus, and West Nile virus. 
2. Discuss the current outbreaks and public health response of each virus.
3. Outline routine and confirmatory laboratory testing methods for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Level of presentation: Basic

Lauren Ashcraft, MLS(ASCP)

Seminar Title: Point-of-Care Testing: What is that anyways?

Description: Point-of-Care Testing tends to be the department that health professionals know the least about. This seminar will give the listener a brief overview of who the Point-of-Care Testing department is and what they do.

Objectives:

1. Define Point-of-Care Testing.
2. Recognize some commonly used POC tests. 
3. Discuss assessment of competency.

Level of presentation: Basic

Lauren DeLaune, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM

Seminar Title: Unveiling the Hidden Enemy: The Laboratory's Role in Minimal Residual Disease Detection

Description: Clinical laboratories have revolutionized cancer treatment through Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) detection. This session dives into the evolution of MRD testing and explores how cutting-edge methods, such as flow cytometry, PCR, and NGS have transformed cancer care.

Objectives:

1. Trace the evolution of Minimal Residual Disease (MRD) testing from its early concepts to current methodologies.
2. Explain the latest diagnostic techniques for MRD detection including flow cytometry, PCR, and NGS.
3. Assess the impact of advancements in MRD detection technologies on treatment decisions and patient outcomes.

Level of presentation: Intermediate

Lee Ellen Brunson, MHS, MLS(ASCP)CM

Seminar Title: A Clot of Fun: An Overview of Hemostasis and Coagulation

Description: Hemostasis is a fascinating and complex process that is regularly assessed in the clinical laboratory. It can be easy to lose sight of the complexities of hemostasis in day-to-day practice. This session will simplify concepts pertaining to hemostasis in order to better understand the laboratory tests used to monitor it.

Objectives:

1. Examine the role of platelets in hemostasis.
2. Discuss the formation of fibrin in coagulation. 
3. Describe how basic clinical laboratory tests are used to assess hemostasis. 

Level of presentation: Intermediate

Billie Whittington, MPA, MLS(ASCP)

Seminar Title: Improving the Mental Health and Wellness of Laboratory Personnel

Description: Improving mental health for lab professionals is super important! They can manage stress by taking breaks, practicing mindfulness, and seeking support from colleagues or a therapist. Encouraging a work-life balance and creating a positive work environment also goes a long way.

Objectives:

1. Assess stress in your laboratory.
2. Identify examples of stress coping mechanisms for laboratory personnel.
3. Utilize mindfulness tools to improve mental health. 

Level of presentation: Basic