New Opportunities for Continuing Education
2008 TeleHealth Series begins January 17
BCSLS's continuing education programs get off to a start with the year's first TeleHealth Video Broadcast, Hemolytic Transfusion Reactions. Eric Ching ART, MT(ASCP)SBB, Western Canada Blood Bank System Specialist and Education Specialist for Dominion Biologicals Ltd. and ImmucorGamma, will look at the nature and prevention of this serious and avoidable risk from the perspective of the working laboratory professional. Ching has been a popular TeleHealth presenter in the past, and is an award-winning educator. Click here for more information and registration.
More 2008 TeleHealth Events
TeleHealth Video Broadcasts are now set for February and March. Further information on the events and registration will be available on the BCSLS website in early January.
February 26 or 27 (date to be confirmed): Dr. Luis LaSalvia speaking on Blood Gases, presented by Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics. Dr LaSalvia was one of our most popular speakers last year and he is returning to entertain and inform us again. The responses to Dr. LaSalvia's 2007 TeleHealth were very enthusiastic, with attendees calling him an "interesting, informative, and entertaining" presenter who "made a very confusing, complicated topic easy to understand."
March 20: Dr. Jerilynn Prior, UBC Professor and the UBC Centre for Menstrual Cycle and Ovulation Research. Dr. Prior has also been a very well received presenter in the past, and is a world-class expert in her field.
MLA Education Day – Your Profession, Your Skills
The 2008 edition of BCSLS's popular and effective day-long seminar for MLAs is set for April 12, 2008. As well as providing an unparalleled opportunity for networking with and learning from peers from around the province, this year's event will again feature presentations by experts, focused on the the needs of MLAs.
- Dr. Richard Cleve, Biochemistry Pathologist, on Cholesterol
- Dr. Richard Yu, Pathologist at Fraser Health,on DNA Genetic Testing
- Kim Connolly, Head Instructor at the West Coast College MLA Program, on Workplace Issues for Lab Assistants
- Cathie Cousins, Certified Cardiovascular Nurse and Critical Care Consultant with particular expertise in ECG testing, on ECGs for MLAs
MLA Day 2008 will again be held at Douglas College in New Westminster. Early Bird registration (before March 15) is $99 for BCSLS members and $135 for non-members. After March 15, rates are $125 and $160 (fees include GST). Lunch is included with registration. Click here for more information and registration.
< top of page >
Congress/AGM Update
New Board Members
The 2007 AGM, held in conjunction with Congress at Merritt, elected two new board members. BCSLS welcomes Tanya Kilborn, from Mckenzie, as our new VP, and Bev Graham, from Quesnel, as the new Director of Professional Development. As well, Rene Maier is now Director for MLAs. The full board is now:
- President - Lynn Simpson, lynnsimpson@telus.net
- Vice President -Tanya Kilborn, tanya.kilborn@northernhealth.ca
- Past President - Cynthia Bishop, cbishop@citytel.net
- Treasurer - Erica Meredith, ericasemail@telus.net
- Director, MLA - Rene Maier, renem@shaw.ca
- Director, Marketing & Communications - Fouad Abbassi, fouad_abbassi@yahoo.com
- Director, MLT - Cheryl McCullough, cherylam@telus.net
- Director, Professional Development - Bev Graham
- Executive Director - Malcolm Ashford, malcolm@bcsls.net
Minutes from the 2007 AGM are in preparation, and will be posted on the BCSLS website in the first week in January.
The Board’s first 2008 meeting will be held on January 25 and 26 in Richmond. This meeting will be the Strategic Planning Workshop for 2008.
Congratulations and Thanks to Congress Organizers
The Committee for the 2007 Congress, Brand Yourself a Professional, did a superb job of putting together Congress and all of the events that went into making it such a comprehensive and fun experience. Much appreciation goes to
- Shelley Sanders, Chair
- Gail Bloom, Secretary
- Sally Brown, Treasurer
- Deb Conway-Brown, Social
- Sharyl Johnson, AV
- Patricia Zumino, Accomodation/Travel
- Barb Zielke, Scientific
- Astrid Maguire, Scientific
- Leanne Mackenzie, Exhibits
- Anoop Hara, PR
- Dawn Bergen, Program & Exhibits
- Charleen Proznick, Registration
< top of page >
CSMLS to Award Grants to Attend Congress 2008
CSMLS has announced the Leaders of Tomorrow National Congress Grant, which will support students, new graduates, and MLAs to attend the CSMLS/BCSLS Joint Congress of Medical Laboratory Science in Kelowna on June 1 – 4, 2008. Six grants will be awarded, and will cover the Congress registration fee (a $500 value) and up to $2000 in travel and accommodation expenses. Click here for more information and to apply, or here for the French version.
< top of page >
Season's Greetings and Best Wishes to All
This is BCSLS's opportunity to wish all of its members and Objective subscribers a peaceful and warm holiday season, and best wishes for the new year. We look forward to bringing you more information, and more opportunities for learning and development, in 2008.
< top of page >
BCSLS Welcomes Angie Bender as new Exec Assistant
Angie Bender has joined BCSLS as our new Executive Assistant. Replacing Renata Sakamoto, who recently retired, Angie brings considerable experience and skills in new technology to the position. Join us in welcoming Angie; her contribution will be significant during this exciting time of transition and development in the organization.
< top of page >
Write for the Objective
Do you know something others should know about? Want to raise a topic for discussion? How about reviewing a book or web site?
We are looking for people to contribute articles, reviews, commentary, and reports on local happenings to this newsletter.
Just submit a short piece - no more than 300 words - to bcsls@bcsls.net with your name and position title. Please provide any relevant web site links, digital photos, or references with your submission.
Note: BCSLS reserves the right to edit or reject submissions for length, relevance, or misleading or objectionable content.
< top of page >
