April 2024

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is on April 14-20, 2024. This is an annual celebration of medical laboratory professionals and pathologists who play a vital role in health care and patient advocacy. Below are a few ways that you can celebrate with ASHI.

1. Save when you use promo code 2024LABWEEK when you order ASHI Lab Week merchandise, including this year’s 2024 ASHI Lab Week poster. Visit the ASHI Store.
2. Like, share and comment on ASHI’s posts to Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram for a chance to win a pizza party for your lab!
3. Send your pictures and videos of how your lab is celebrating to info@ashi-hla.org. Here are a few ideas for this year’s Barbie® theme:

• Design your Dream lab.
• Re-make a Barbie® song with a lab theme.
• Dress up as weird Barbie®.
• Ask you lab staff to wear something Pink on the first day of Lab Week.

4. Need CE’s? We’re offering free access to earning CE’s for non-ASHI members on

ASHI University during Lab Week using promo code ASHI2024. 

Exciting updates and new modules released on ASHI University!

We are thrilled to announce the release of updated ASHI University (ASHI-U) modules alongside a plethora of new offerings designed to enhance your professional development journey. ASHI-U remains committed to providing high-quality educational resources, ensuring that you have access to the latest insights and best practices in histocompatibility and immunogenetics.

New Modules:

1. [V1.14] Antigen Processing and Presentation: Learn where in the cell HLA binds peptides; how class I and class II differ in their antigen binding properties, the impact of HLA allelic diversity on antigen binding, and the recognition of HLA-antigen complexes by T lymphocyte receptors in this comprehensive ASHI-U module on Antigen Processing and Presentation.
2. [V3.11] The Basics of Flow Cytometry: Learn how to use a flow cytometer to identify and characterize cells, explore various types of flow cytometer data, and troubleshoot encountered issues within this ASHI-U module.
3. [V4.10] Supervisory Functions and Management—Human Resources: Explore the federal regulations that apply to employees in the United States; learn how to draft job descriptions and duty assignments; and participate in the hiring, training, educating, evaluating, and counseling of laboratory staff.
4. [V6.07] Immune Suppression and Transplantation: Review the benefits and risks of using immunosuppressive drugs in transplant patients; learn about common immune suppressive drugs used to prevent and treat rejection in solid organ transplantation and their immunological targets; and appreciate the important role the histocompatibility laboratory plays in the decisions regarding immunosuppression.

& many more! 

We invite you to explore the updated modules and exciting new additions on ASHI-U today! Whether you're seeking to expand your skill set, fulfill continuing education requirements, or simply stay abreast of the latest scientific information, ASHI-U is your trusted partner in professional development.



Click here to visit ASHI-U to access these invaluable resources and take your career to new heights!

Check out the Committee Corner below for details!

The aims of this webinar are:

1. Recognize the need for a common, international director-in-training curriculum
2. Identify important knowledge to gain during training to meet ACHI Portfolio committee expectations during clinical case review and oral interview.

This webinar will also be the first to discuss both CMS changes in personnel qualifications.

Click here to register

You can read the new CLIA regulations here. In anticipation of the webinar, please send any questions you may have to Melissa Weeks at MWeeks@ashi-hla.org. Your questions will be distributed to the appropriate committee chairs who will be able to either address your questions directly or seek further guidance from CMS. Changes in histocompatibility standards are being addressed by QAS and information about upcoming changes to ASHI standards in response to revised CLIA regulations will be distributed/discussed as they become available. 

2024 EMO-1 Submission Deadline April 12th

The result submission deadline for the EMO-1 survey is Friday, April 12^th. Laboratories are encouraged to try to login now to avoid last minute access issues which could prevent timely submission. Written instructions are located in the ASHI PT Data Center and a recording of the EMO Result Entry Tutorial is located on the PT page of the ASHI website.

2024 HT-1 Survey

The HT-1 survey is scheduled to ship on Tuesday, April 9^th.

Upcoming HT Webinar – April 12th

The PT Committee will provide HT participants with a webinar tutorial on logging in and HT result entry on Friday, April 12 which will include PT software details, changes to the HT survey, and a Q&A session with PT Committee members. Register today!

Coffee & Compatibility

An ASHI Pioneer revisits wonderful ASHI Memories: Happy 50th ASHI!



Trailblazer, Donna Phelan, shares her journey in HLA including moments of special connection with ASHI's mission, groundbreaking advances in technology, and paving the way for technologist leadership in ASHI!

Click here to listen and receive CECs.

We're thrilled to unveil a brand new segment on the Coffee and Compatibility Podcast! 🎉

Introducing "Tech Talk," where we delve into the world of technology to bring you stories of innovation, inspiration, and the incredible minds shaping our digital landscape.

Each episode, we'll shine a spotlight on exceptional technologists who are making waves in their fields, from cutting-edge research to groundbreaking advancements.

But here's the best part: we want YOU to be a part of it! If you know a technologist whose work deserves recognition, whether it's a colleague, a friend, or even yourself, share their name and a brief story by emailing us. We'll feature their story on Tech Talk, celebrating their contributions and sharing their inspiring journey with our audience.

So get ready to be inspired, informed, and amazed by the incredible stories we have in store for you on Tech Talk, the newest addition to the Coffee and Compatibility Podcast family.

Help us celebrate our wonderful ASHI volunteers by submitting a short,

1-minute video telling us about a volunteer you’d like to recognize and why you appreciate their time and dedication.

Submit your videos to info@ashi-hla.org no later than Wednesday April 17th.. 

Call for ASHI Board Nominations

The ASHI Leadership Development Taskforce encourages all ASHI members to nominate candidates for the available board positions. If there are candidates whom you feel would be an asset to the ASHI Board of Directors, please have the candidate complete and submit this nomination form. All nominations must be accompanied by the signatures of at least 10 full or honorary members in good standing. Emailed endorsements are accepted.

• During the week of April 1st, the Leadership Development Taskforce will forward its preliminary slate of candidates to the ASHI membership. This will allow members more time to submit additional nominations by the April 12th deadline.

Call for ASHI Award Nominations

Each year the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI) sponsors several awards to recognize scientific accomplishments and contributions to the fields of histocompatibility and immunogenetics as well as service to the Society. ASHI is currently accepting nominations for the following awards:

• J. Marilyn MacQueen Rising Star Award
• Distinguished Service Award
• Bernard Amos Distinguished Scientist Award
• Rose Payne Award
• Outstanding Technologist Award

Send nominations and supporting information to Katherine Giovetsis. The nomination deadline for all ASHI awards is May 17, 2024. To view former award winners, please click here.

More information to come about three special scientific awards:

• Early Career Investigator Award
• Innovation Scholarship Awards
• Michael Schmiederer Research Science Award

As we plan the 50th ASHIversary, we’re taking a look back in time. Send us your photos from previous ASHI Meetings and we’ll post them on our social media pages as part of our Throwback Thursday marketing campaign. Send your pictures to info@ashi-hla.org and be sure to include the location and year of the meeting.

"Who exactly is my lab's Commissioner?"

Click here to view the Accreditation Review Board's response.

ASHI Volunteer Spotlight

"Being a volunteer has taught me to keep my mind open, to listen to others, to overcome my limitations, and has pushed forward my professional life."

Check out our featured volunteer spotlight, Dr. Idoia Gimferrer! Read More

ASHI Member Spotlight

"When I got my first driver's license and was asked if I wanted to be an organ donor, I thought it was the coolest concept."

Check out our featured member spotlight, Allana Doster!

Read More

Would you like to be featured as our next ASHI Member or Volunteer Spotlight? Click the links below to answer a few questions about your member/volunteer experience. For more information, or if you would like to nominate someone to be highlighted as our next spotlight, contact Cathy Landolt at clandolt@ashi-hla.org.