Event Details
7:45-8:15 am Registration and Continental Breakfast
8:15-8:30am Welcome and Opening Remarks
8:30-9:30 am Managing the Risk of Patient Harm from Erroneous Results
Speaker: John C. Yundt-Pacheco
Conventional QC Design focuses on the instrument -detecting an error condition with the lowest false rejection rate. This session explores an instrument-centric approach, in which the design does not consider patient volume. Risk Managed QC designs focus on the patient-how to manage the risk of harm from erroneous results.
Program Area: General 1.0 Contact Hour Level: Intermediate
9:30-10:30 am Climate Change and Arthropod-Borne Infections – An Arkansas Perspective. Is Your Laboratory Prepared?
Speaker: Bobby L. Boyanton Jr., M.D
This presentation highlights the impact of climate change on human disease and steps clinical laboratories should take to enhance the timely diagnosis of arthropod-borne infections.
Program Area: Parasitology 1.0 Contact Hour Level: Intermediate
10:30-10:45am Break
10:45-11:45am TEG, Overview and Clinical Application
Speaker: Kaitlin Lutes RN, BSN, CNOR
This presentation introduces thromboelastography (TEG), explaining what it is, how it works and utilized in the lab, and why it is used. It highlights how TEG helps clinicians understand blood clotting and supports informed decision-making in patient care.
Program Area: Coagulation 1.0 Contact Hour Level: Basic
11:45-1:45pm Networking Lunch and Engagement with industry partners
1:45pm-2:45pm HLA and Immunity
Speaker: Terry Harville, MD, PhD
This session will provide an overview of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA), including its genetic basis, structure, and classification within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Participants will explore the critical role of HLA molecules in antigen presentation and immune system activation, including how HLA contributes to distinguishing self from non-self. The session will also introduce the clinical significance of HLA in transplantation, disease susceptibility, and autoimmune disorders.
Program Area: General 1.0 Contact Hour Level: Intermediate
2:45pm-3:45pm PCR, MALDI, AI… Oh My! A Wizard’s Guide to Microbiology’s Past, Present, and Future
Speaker: Matt Humphrey, MLS (ASCP)CM
This session takes a lighthearted look at microbiology’s evolution—from culture plates to PCR, MALDI-TOF, and emerging AI tools. Attendees will explore how these technologies transformed diagnostics and what future innovations may further enchant the clinical microbiology lab. A fast, fun journey through past, present, and future
Program Area: Microbiology 1.0 Contact Hour Level: Intermediate
3:45pm-4:00pm Closing Remarks
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Event Registration Cost:
$80 for nonmembers ; $60 for ASCLS members, $30 for student members
Exhibitor Registration:
Exhibitor ($500): Allows each vendor one booth located in the vendor expo area at the Chenal Event Venue. The vendor booth size is 8 feet by 8 feet, with a provided 6ft x 2.5ft rectangle table with black tablecloth. Admission for two vendor representatives is included. Additional vendor representatives will be charged $80 per person. Vendor registration also Includes logo placement on event advertisements and the agenda.
Career Fair Participant ($300): Allows each hiring institution one booth located in career fair area at the Chenal Event Venue. The booth size is 8 feet by 8 feet, with a provided 6ft x 2.5ft rectangle table with black tablecloth. Admission for two representatives is included. Additional representatives will be charged $80 per person. Institution logos placement on event advertisements and the agenda.