August 2023

ASHI memberships run on a calendar year, so they expire on December 31, 2023. Renewal for 2024 opens on September 1. On that day, you will be asked to log-in to the ASHI website and click the link to securely renew your membership. You'll first be asked to update your profile information, then submit payment via credit card or by printing an invoice to mail us a check. Click here for a short tutorial on renewing your membership.

The QAS Committee provides oversight for the ASHI Standards in order to ensure continuity through the lengthy process of each cycle of revisions. Visit the ASHI Standards page and scroll down to Important Documents to view the ASHI Standards documents. Also, the official public comment period for the proposed revisions to the 2022 ASHI Standards opened on Monday, August 7 and closes on Friday, August 18. During the public comment period, members can email their comments regarding the proposed revisions to info@ashi-hla.org.

ASHI sponsors several awards to recognize scientific accomplishments and contributions to the fields of histocompatibility and immunogenetics, and service to the society. We recently announced the 2023 ASHI winners who will be celebrated publicly during the ASHI Annual Meeting in San Antonio, TX. Click here to view the ASHI Awards page to learn more about the awards and see a list of past recipients for each award.

Your membership benefits include several ASHI publications including ASHI Insights, ASHI News, ASHI Quarterly, and Human Immunology. Click here to visit the Publications page on the ASHI website to learn more about each publication and to view archived issues.

If you work in an HLA lab, you know the importance of quality proficiency testing. ASHI’s PT Program maintains high standards and provides quality samples, competitive pricing, and a brand new easy-to-use software system debuting in 2024, making the ASHI PT Program the right choice for laboratories around the world.

ASHI’s robust and challenging proficiency testing gives laboratories the opportunity to assess and improve protocols, maintain compliance, and provide a high standard of excellence. If your lab has never ordered a survey from the ASHI PT Program, why not give us a try? Contact the ASHI PT Program Manager today at chartman@ashi-hla.org for more information.

The ASHI Quality Assurance & Standards (QAS) Committee hosted a webinar on Thursday, July 27th to present their proposed revisions to the 2022 ASHI Standards. If you were unable to join the live webinar, you can access the recording by clicking here. Visit the Standards page on the ASHI website to learn more about the Public Comment period and to view the Standards redline, clean, and summary of changes documents.

Technologist Mentor Program

This program pairs technologists with more experienced HLA professionals (Senior Technologists, Supervisors, and Managers), or mentors, to share knowledge, experience, and advice with a mentee.



Director Mentor Program

This program pairs new Directors with more experienced Directors on an informal basis for the purpose of providing one-on-one guidance and advice to the newer Directors (mentees). An experienced Director will volunteer to serve as a mentor to a less experienced Director for at least a period of one year, during which time the mentor and mentee are encouraged to communicate on a monthly basis for discussions on mutually agreed topics.

Thank you to the almost 200 participants in the recent job analysis survey. Your input will no doubt help improve our certification exam and the field in general. Special shout out to Yasmine Shabaan for being picked to win the $100 Amazon gift card!

Congratulations to the newly certified individuals who passed the certification exam in June!

The Commissioners of the Accreditation Review Board (ARB) are often asked questions from accredited laboratories on interpretation of ASHI Standards. Click the link below to view August 2023 questions and answers. 

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ASHI Member Spotlight

"HLA as a field combined my interests in genetics and evolution with helping patients."

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