June 2021
What's happening, ASHI?
ASHI Public Policy Scholar
In an effort to provide training to ASHI members in public policy and communications, ASHI developed a Public Policy Advocacy Program. Through training, the chosen candidate(s) will become familiar with how to advocate for issues relevant to ASHI members in order to fulfill ASHI’s mission to advance the science and application of histocompatibility and immunogenetics; advocating the highest standards of laboratory testing in the interest of optimal patient care.

Have questions about this new opportunity? Join us for an informational webinar on Wednesday, June 16th at 2 ET to learn more!
International Summer School
The 15th International Summer School on Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics, hosted by the European Federation for Immunogenetics (EFI) with support from the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI), the Asia-Pacific Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Association (APHIA), and the Arabic Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetic (ARSHI) will take place virtually on September 6 - 8th. The deadline to apply is Friday, June 18th. Read More
Early Career Investigator and Innovation Scholarship Awards
ASHI is proud to announce these very prestigious award opportunities: the Early Career Investigator Award (ECIA) and the Innovation Scholarship Awards.

The aim of the ECIA is to identify future research leaders who are committed to conducting impactful basic science research. This program offers ASHI members an award of up to $40,000 for research related to immunogenetics of various clinical disciplines such as transplantation, cancer, autoimmunity, infectious disease, disease association, or pharmacogenomics.

The ASHI Innovation Scholarship Awards were created to recognize and further a significant body of work in the fields of HLA, immunogenetics, and/or transplant immunology as demonstrated by publications, educational initiatives, and/or developed translational tools and analyses. Up to three awards are available each year. Awardees will receive a $1,500 honorarium at the ASHI annual meeting. Read More
ASHI on the Hill
ASHI continues to fiercely pursue opportunities to advocate that the jurisdiction over LDT regulation remain with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA). The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee (CLIAC) provides advice and guidance to federal agencies pertaining to improvement in clinical laboratory quality and laboratory medicine practice and specific questions related to possible revision of CLIA standards. In mid-April, CLIAC held a public meeting which included discussion of “Clinical Laboratory Perspectives on Laboratory Developed Tests”. ASHI prepared and submitted written comments expressing ASHI’s position that FDA regulation of LDTs performed in high complexity laboratories under CLIA that are accredited by ASHI is neither warranted nor feasible.  Read More
Coffee and Compatibility Podcast

Tune in to our newest episode of Coffee & Compatibility! This episode will explore the upcoming 47th ASHI Hybrid Annual Meeting with the Chair of the ASHI Program Planning Committee and Past ASHI President Dr. Medhat Askar.
Coffee and Compatibility is available now on the following platforms:
If you have ideas for podcast topics, email us today at info@ashi-hla.org.
ASHI Volunteer Spotlight
ASHI Volunteer Spotlight

"Whatever our labs and patients are coming up against, others in the field are experiencing it too. Volunteering with ASHI is a great way to build connections and influence future practices."

Check out our featured volunteer spotlight, Linda Olsen! View Now
Committee Corner
Speakers and Panelists Wanted
ASHI is planning a series of webinars on laboratory management challenges that we all face. We are looking for HLA laboratory directors and managers willing to share “best practices” from their own experience to answer the question, “How Do I …”, and volunteer to serve as speakers or panelists for these webinars. 

To participate in one of these webinars and volunteer as a speaker or panelist, please contact us at info@ashi-hla.org.
Proficiency Testing
2021 AC-1 Survey
The result submission deadline for the AC-1 survey is June 18th.

2021 HT-1 Reports
The HT-1 Summary and Performance reports are now available in the ASHI PT Lab Center.
 
2021 EMO-1 Survey
The PT Committee is in the process of reviewing grades and analyzing data in preparation for compiling the EMO-1 survey reports. Labs will be notified by email once the reports have been completed.
American College of
Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ACHI)
ACHI Magnets
ACHI magnets were mailed out to all CHA, CHT, and CHS certified individuals in the last week, look for them to arrive in your mailbox soon! If you don’t receive one, that just means your mailing address needs to be updated, you can do that (and manage your CE credits!) here: https://abhi.learningbuilder.com/