April is special for medical laboratory professionals. For one thing, it is the page on the calendar on which National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (NMLPW) appears—April 22 through April 28. In honor of NMLPW, Medical Laboratory Observer is proud to present the winning lab and the first and second runners-up in its annual Lab of the Year Competition. Congratulations to Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center Laboratory in Los Angeles; Willamette Valley Medical Center Laboratory Services in McMinnville, Oregon; and Springfield-Greene County Health Department Laboratory Services in Springfield, Missouri.
April is special for two other reasons too. Two major conferences of great interest to laboratorians will be held this month: the 28th Clinical Virology Symposium (CVS) from April 20 through 25 in Daytona Beach, Florida; and the Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA) ThinkLab '12—from April 29 through May 2 in Atlanta, Georgia. Both are excellent opportunities to learn more about cutting-edge ideas and practices of interest to laboratorians and lab decision makers.
The CVS conference, in the words of its website, is an “international symposium forum for the meaningful exchange of ideas dealing with viral infections, led by biomedical scientists engaged in research and primary care physicians involved with patient care. The relationship between rapid viral diagnosis, the clinical course of viral infections, and preventive and therapeutic modalities…is the [meeting's] theme. Discussion of timely topics by renowned scientists assures that this symposium will be both informative and interesting.”
Adds Steven Specter, PhD, symposium chair, “From an educational perspective, it's a wonderful time to meet with colleagues who have similar professional interests, to share ideas, to learn what others are doing scientifically, and to hear about innovations in the discipline.” The symposium will feature three plenary sessions, three poster presentations of submitted case abstracts, exhibits, banquet presentations, and a panel discussion on “The Case for Rapid Antigen vs. Molecular vs. Cell Culture for Laboratory Diagnosis of Viral Infections.”
CLMA's ThinkLab '12 Education will focus on efficient lab operations and change management; improving laboratory profitability and quality; working with cross-functional teams and multiple generations; new laboratory management systems and how they can help you; advocating for your laboratory; and patient care, safety, and an improved customer service experience. “Meet the Authors” sessions and “Body of Knowledge” roundtables will be among the highlights.
According to Rebecca Baker, CLMA Sales Manager, “the theme of CLMA's ThinkLab '12 is 'Partners in Care,' which highlights the critical role laboratory managers play in the healthcare delivery system. CLMA's 2012 conference will feature highly respected speakers, great networking opportunities, and valuable educational sessions designed for emerging laboratory leaders as well as seasoned executives.”
In addition to the educational sessions, CLMA will have exhibits where conference attendees can view some of the latest products that laboratorians need to know about. Please come say hello to me and my colleagues at the Medical Laboratory Observer Booth 322.
Years ago I attended an educational conference in Chicago. Just before the opening session, a member of the city's Office of Special Events briefly welcomed the attendees. She talked up the city, of course, its tourist sites and great restaurants and so on—but she concluded by saying something like, “Of course, I know that the most rewarding part of your being here is the opportunity to exchange knowledge, perspectives, and ideas with other professionals.” I thought it was a classy thing for a public relations person to say, and true, too. It is fun to go to a convention, in another city—but the professional development a conference offers is what really counts, and is the most important souvenir that we bring home.
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