October 2024

ASHI Science and Technology Initiatives Committee (STIC) is pleased to announce a new initiative to promote relevant external research funding opportunities within the ASHI community. We hope to spark the translation of your scientific ideas into productive, funded research projects that advance knowledge in immunogenetics, histocompatibility, and transplantation biology. Requests for applications (RFAs) will be highlighted routinely as new opportunities are announced. Highlighted grants will span all eligible career levels, as well as basic, translational, and clinical science.

Click here to view the opportunities!

Revisions to the 2024 ASHI Bylaws were approved by ASHI Membership. Please visit the Bylaws page on the ASHI website to view the updated ASHI Bylaws. 

ASHI on the Hill

As we enter the final stretch before the November elections, ASHI is preparing for a year-end push to thwart impending laboratory reimbursement cuts during the upcoming lame duck session of Congress. In addition, developments continue to transpire as the Health Resources and Services Administration works to implement the Securing the U.S. Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network Act and undertake its own OPTN Modernization Initiative to modify how the OPTN is funded and managed. Read More

View a recap of the poster presentation on ASHI University under Recorded Webinars. Search for Technologists' Affairs Virtual Happy Hour: Addressing the Staffing Crisis.

2025 ASHI Membership Renewal is Open!

ASHI memberships run on a calendar year, so they expire on December 31, 2024. Renewal for 2025 opened on September 1st. Renewing your ASHI membership is easy! 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.

Ready to renew? First, see if you are eligible for one of our ASHI discount programs.

ASHI and AST invite you to register to attend the AST/ASHI Sensitization in Transplantation: Assessment of Risk (STAR) Working Group in preparation for the upcoming STAR Pre-meeting at CEoT 2025. Click here for webinar details. Registration is free!

Click here to register

Hosted by the Educational Initiatives Committee

This webinar will provide an overview of foundational concepts in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), focusing on the development of neural networks and tree-based models. Participants will explore recent applications of these technologies in organ donation and transplantation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Review key concepts in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

2. Explore applications of AI and ML in the field of transplantation.

3. Understand how ML can assist in decision-making for accepting or declining less-than-ideal kidneys.

Click here to register

The Clinical Histocompatibility Informatics Workshop, organized by Dr. Loren Gragert of Tulane University School of Medicine and Dr. Nicholas Brown of the University of Pennsylvania, is and ASHI-sponsored workshop scheduled on January 6-7, 2024 in New Orleans, LA.

Registration is now closed as we have reached our maximum capacity. If you would like to join the waitlist, please click here. 

The proposed revisions to the 2023 ASHI Standards were approved by CMS! With numerous changes to the ASHI standards this year, the Quality Assurance and Standards (QAS) Committee wants to ensure you are aware of the key updates. These include:

1. New standards for donor-derived cell-free DNA and third-generation sequencing.
2. Updated standards for crossmatching, antibody screening, and identification.
3. Revised standards for patient confidentiality, procedure manuals, and test reports.
4. Enhanced standards for the education, training, and experience of laboratory directors, technical supervisors, and clinical consultants, along with updated relevant definitions.

The early CMS approval provides us with a head start on revising laboratory procedures, policies, and transplant agreements. Please click here to view the 2024 ASHI Standards.

2024 PT Shipments in October

The last two PT Shipments are scheduled for October 2024.

HT-2 shipment date: Tuesday, Oct. 1

AC-2 shipment date: Tuesday, Oct. 29

EMO-2 Survey Results Due

The submission deadline for the EMO-2 survey is Friday, October 18th, 2024.

2025 Ordering

Online ordering will be available October 1st for placing 2025 PT orders. If your lab is new to ASHI, additional setup is necessary to complete the ordering process. Email the PT Program Manager at chartman@ashi-hla.org for more information. Additional resources including the 2025 Shipment Schedule are available on the PT page of the ASHI website.

Coffee & Compatibility

Click here to watch the episode now on YouTube.

Please subscribe to ASHI’s YouTube channel: ASHI HLA.

The Vital Role of HLA Laboratories in Transfusion Support



In the latest episode of Coffee & Compatibility, HLA Director and Transfusion Medicine Specialist,

Dr. Ryan Pena, joins the discussion on how HLA laboratories play a crucial role in supporting transfusion medicine. From HLA typing to anti-HLA antibody analysis, Dr. Pena explains how these specialized services assist transfusion medicine specialists in providing patient care.

Click here to listen and receive CECs.

"What are the most common mistakes labs make in their reaccreditation application??"

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

ASHI Volunteer Spotlight

"Every member's active involvement and engagement not only helps an individual to be better integrated into the community, but also is critical to move the field forward."

Check out our featured volunteer spotlight, Bing Melody Zhang! Read More

ASHI Member Spotlight

"I find it most rewarding when we are able to help a clinician with a particularly challenging case."

Check out our featured member spotlight, Russ Martin! 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.