NEWSLETTER

The gold standard in

global certication for all

laboratory professionals.

DECEMBER 2021

2 Chair’s Message

3 CMP COVID-RELATED Continuing Education

3 New CMP Requirements for Pathologists’ Assistant (PA)

Effective January 1, 2022

4 International Volunteer Opportunities

5 Update from the Board of Governors Meeting

5 Certication in Donor Phlebotomy Transitioning to a

Qualication January 2022

5 Revised MLT and MLS Examination Content Guidelines

6 Molecular Biology Certication: Recombinant DNA

Technology to Molecular Diagnostics - Today’s

Technology Inspired by Past Discoveries

7 Sharing of PPR Information

7 2022 PPR Invoice

7 PDAC to Host Live Events for BOC Program Directors

7 PBT and MLA Application Requirements

8 Transition of ASCP/ASCP

credentials: Medical

Technologist (MT) to Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

8 In Memoriam: Susan King Strasinger, DA, MT(ASCP)

8 Sue Johnson, MSTM, MT(ASCP)SBB

Receives

AABB’s John Elliott Memorial Award

9 2020 and 2021 ASCP BOC Distinguished Service

Awards Presentation

9 Online Documentation Forms

10 New Board of Governors Members

10 Board of Governers Volunteers 2021-2022

11 Exam Committee & Work Group Volunteers 2021-2022

13 Staff Spotlight: Lareka Pratt

December 2021 BOC Newsletter | Page 2

CHAIR’S MESSAGE

At the end of October, the ASCP Board of Certication

(BOC) Board of Governors (BOG) met in person for the

rst time in two years, under the leadership of Susan

Johnson, MSTM, MT(ASCP)SBB

. While this meet-

ing marked the end of Sue’s term as Chair, I would like

to acknowledge the magnitude of the challenges she

faced. Conducting the business of this organization

virtually required talent, tenacity, professionalism and

a sense of humor, all characteristics that Sue personi-

es. Her leadership has been steadfast and inspiring as

we have navigated the course during this pandemic. As

she leaves her role as Chair, we are all thankful for her

energy and poise. Assuming the role of Chair at the end

of the meeting is a bit daunting, but I feel prepared and

ready thanks to her mentoring and guidance.

I feel compelled to comment further on our abili-

ty to gather at the ASCP Annual Meeting in Boston. I

couldn’t help but appreciate the moments recaptured

when meeting face-to-face, the gathering time over a

cup of coffee where you could share comments with

friends without going to a “breakout room,” the sound

of the gavel calling the meeting to order, watching peo-

ple sit back in their chairs after a rousing discussion,

and feeling satised that their views were represented.

And, while we were masked out of respect for one an-

other, I found that we have learned how to smile with

our eyes.

The business of the meeting was both considerable

and signicant. While the details can be found in the

following pages, I’d like to highlight some items. The

work continues on the standardization of nomenclature

for Medical Laboratory Scientists. The collaborative ef-

forts of the ASCP BOC and the American Society of

Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) have given rise to

a plan, approved by the ASCP BOC BOG, that includes

the transition of MT(ASCP) and MT(ASCP

) credentials

to MLS(ASCP) and MLS(ASCP

), respectively. It cannot

be overstated how unied efforts such as these bring

solidarity and recognition to our profession. Consistent

with this transition is the approval of new names for

certications in the area of Cytology. Cytologist will

replace Cytotechnologist and Specialist in Cytology

will replace Specialist in Cytotechnology beginning in

January 2022.

Annually, the Board of Governors recognizes individu-

als who have served the Board of Certication with dis-

tinction. BOC Distinguished Service Awards were pre-

sented to Patty Eschliman, MHA, MLS(ASCP)

DLM

and Lee Hilborne, MD, MPH, FASCP, DLM(ASCP)

for 2020. For 2021, BOC Distinguished Service Awards

were presented to Amy Groszbach, MEd, MLT(ASCP)

, Susan Harrington, PhD, D(ABMM),

MLS(ASCP)

, Lena Spencer, HTL(ASCP)QIHC

, and

Terry Taff, MA, MT(ASCP)SM. It is a joy to honor and

celebrate their contributions and accomplishments.

Two members of the ASCP BOC Board of Governors

completed their tenure on the Board. Always a bit-

tersweet moment of celebration and sadness, we are

grateful to Laura Bilodeau, MD, FASCP, and Kathleen

Finnegan, MS, MT(ASCP)SH

, for their substantial and

remarkable service to the ASCP Board of Certication

and the Board of Governors. As they leave the Board,

we welcome new members Rex Famitangco, MSc,

MLS(ASCP)

QLC

, and Andreana Rivera, MD,

FASCP. We look forward to the contributions of our new

colleagues.

As the new year unfolds, the exam committees will

meet to continue the important work of reviewing and

revising the components of the certication and quali-

cation exams. As the landscape of the clinical labora-

tory changes, so must the certication process to en-

sure the competency of the individuals implementing

those changes. In closing, I hope 2022 provides a safe,

healthy, and successful new year.

Susan Graham,

MS, MT(ASCP)SH

December 2021 BOC Newsletter | Page 3

CMP COVID-RELATED CONTINUING EDUCATION

The ASCP Board of Certication (BOC) recognizes the vital work of laboratory professionals in response to the

COVID-19 pandemic and the critical professional development it necessitated. We heard your concerns about

obtaining continuing education during the pandemic due to increased workloads and limited availability of in-per-

son training or conferences. This prompted the BOC to develop a time-limited opportunity to use COVID-related

activities completed between March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021 for up to 12 CMP points towards recertica-

tion. These points should be self-entered as a single CMP activity and allocated under “related areas of interest”

on the online declaration form.

Criteria to Claim Credits for the CMP

• To be accepted, COVID-related continuing education (CE) activities must have been completed between

March 1, 2020 and December 31, 2021(and be within your three-year CMP cycle).

• Activities must be work-related and new, additional, or out-of-specialty skills or activities.

• Your Manager/Supervisor must review, verify, and sign-off on the completed activities indicated on the CMP

COVID-related CE Claim Form.

• The maximum number of CMP points accepted on the Claim Form is 12.

• These CMP points may be used forrelated areas of interestonly.

• The CMP COVID-related CE Claim Form may be used one-time only and for a single CMP cycle.

For more information about this opportunity please refer to this link: http://www.ascp.org/cmp/covid-points

NEW CMP REQUIREMENTS FOR PATHOLOGISTS’

ASSISTANT (PA) EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2022

New Pathologists’ Assistant (PA) CMP requirements go into effect January 1, 2022.

The new requirements will be revised by adding 15 new points specically related to cancer cases and their stag-

ing and 1 point in medical ethics for a total of 60 points. The new requirements apply to all PA(ASCP) certicants.

The new CMP point distribution will be as follows:

• 1 point in laboratory or patient safety (i.e. quality control, quality assurance)

• 20 points in anatomic pathology

• 15 points in advanced anatomic pathology (cancer specimen examination/staging)NEW

• 1 point in medical ethicsNEW

• 23 points in area(s) of anatomic pathology, management, education or other clinical specialties

The ASCP Board of Certication (BOC) accepts continuing education (CE) for recertication from all sources, as

long as they meet the requirements of the program. As a CE provider, ASCP continues to work on developing

educational content to support the CMP.

The American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA), is well equipped to offer these additional required

credits.Please visit their website for further information: www.pathassist.org

In addition, outside sources that meet the denition of “advanced cancer anatomic pathology” (hospital tumor

boards or similar medical conferences) would also qualify for self-recordedCE credits for the additional PA CMP

requirements.

ASCP BOARD OF CERTIFICATION INTERNATIONAL NEWS ROUNDUP

December 2021 BOC Newsletter | Page 4

BOC International Advisory Boards

As part of our efforts to contribute globally to

the highest standards of patient safety, the

ASCP Board of Certication (BOC) works to

establish advisory boards in all countries re-

questing additional support and representa-

tion. International Advisory Board members

are typically program directors of clinical

laboratory educational programs, laboratory

supervisors, and/or representatives from a

country or region’s clinical laboratory society.

2021 BOC International Advisory Board

Appointments

• India: Ajay Kumar Prajapati, PhD, and

Deepika Varsha, GS, CG(ASCPi)

, joined

the India Advisory Board in June 2021.

• Korea: Kyung Jin Cho, PhD, stepped down

as Chair of the S. Korea Advisory Board in

April 2021 although he will remain a mem-

ber of the Board. Dr. Cho’s successor (new

chair) is Hyo Chan Kang, PhD.

• Pakistan: Muhammad Saeed, MPhil, and

Noore Saba, MBBS, MSPH, MPhil, joined

the Pakistan Advisory Board in May 2021.

• Saudi Arabia: Waleed Tamimi, BSc,

PhD, SC(ASCP), joined the Saudi Arabia

Advisory Board in May 2021.

BOC Participates in the 70th Annual

Congress

The Japanese Association of Medical

Technologists (JAMT) a collaborating society

of the BOC, held their annual congress (vir-

tually) from May 15-June 14, 2021. As part

of the conference, JAMT provided the BOC

with a virtual booth, and made the Japanese

version of the BOC’s international certica-

tion brochure available for download via the

congress website. The total number of par-

ticipants for the congress was 7,168.

In addition to its collaborating society

agreement with JAMT, the BOC also has a

partnership with JAMT, and Loyola University

Medical Center (LUMC-Maywood, IL), to ar-

range for Japanese laboratory profession-

als to visit a laboratory in the U.S. for one

week. The 2019 JAMT visitor, Mari Kunihiro,

H(ASCP

), recently earned her International

Technologist in Hematology H(ASCP

) creden-

tial. Since 2015, when this partnership was

established, four out of six Japanese visitors

have earned a BOC credential.

BOC International Certication

Seminar in Islamabad

An ASCP

seminar was held in Islamabad,

Pakistan, on August 17, 2021. The semi-

nar was organized by the Pakistan Advisory

Board and included an overview of how to

navigate the ASCP BOC examination appli-

cation process. Approximately 50 people at-

tended the seminar.

During the seminar, Usman Waheed, PhD,

and Chair of the Pakistan Advisory Board,

said that the medical laboratory profession is

becoming one of the most appealing profes-

sions in Pakistan. He then emphasized that

BOC certication is a major asset for any

Pakistani laboratory professional who wants

to demonstrate that they have the knowl-

edge and skills to perform essential tasks in

the laboratory. Technical experts who also

delivered talks on the scope of the medical

laboratory profession during the seminar in-

cluded: Dr. Noor e Saba, MPhil; Dr Akhlaaq

Wazeer, MPhil; Dr. Muhammad Rehan, and

Muhammad Saeed, MPhil.

BOC Participates at the II Latin

American Conference for Biomedicine

and Laboratory Science

The Southern Brazilian Association for

Biomedicine invited the BOC to participate at

their virtual conference held on June 8-10, 2021.

The session titled “Opportunities for Brazilian

Biomedics in the USA” shared information on

ASCP BOC international certication and its ben-

ets, both in the U.S. and abroad. Participants

showed particular interest in the application re-

quirements and process, as well as recommen-

dations for preparing for the exams.

INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The BOC offers numerous different ways to serve as an international volunteer or advisory board member.

We have advisory boards, ambassadors, and representatives in more than 30 different countries worldwide.

As an international volunteer or advisory board member, you can play a crucial role in our outreach efforts

in Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. Check out international volunteer opportunities

with the BOC at https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certication/about-boc#advisory_boards.

Participants of the ASCP

seminar in Islamabad, Pakistan.

December 2021 BOC Newsletter | Page 5

UPDATE FROM THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEETING

The ASCP Board of Certication (BOC) Board of Governors met October 30–31, 2021. Several motions were

passed that impact eligibility requirements, as summarized below. All updated eligibility requirements will be

available on the ASCP BOC website by early 2022. www.ascp.org/certication

Technologist in Cytogenetics

• Route 3 of the U.S. and International CG(ASCP)/CG(ASCP

) was updated to require six months, rather than nine

months, of experience. This was to make all routes equivalent for this category of examination.

Cytologist and Specialist in Cytology

• “Cytologist” has been adopted as new terminology. The existing credential title of Cytotechnologist [CT(ASCP)/

CT(ASCP

)] is changed to Cytologist [CT(ASCP)/CT(ASCP

)] and Specialist in Cytotechnology [SCT(ASCP)/

SCT(ASCP

)] is changed to Specialist in Cytology [SCT(ASCP)/SCT(ASCP

)]. This will go into effect in January

2022. For further information, please click here for the ASCP ePolicy article.

• Specialist in Cytology - A new route was added to the SCT(ASCP) examination to allow someone who gradu-

ated from a master’s level CAAHEP accredited cytology program and completion of a Master’s degree to sit for

the exam. This route will be available for application in January 2022.

Histotechnician and Histotechnologist

• For both the U.S. HT(ASCP) and HTL(ASCP), a route was added allowing for members of the military who com-

pleted a military program, and who have the appropriate science coursework, to sit for the exam. These routes

will be available for application in January 2022.

• Histotechnician - Route 1 of the International HT(ASCP

) had added clarity regarding the education required to

be eligible under this route.

Medical Laboratory Technician and Medical Laboratory Scientist

• For both MLT(ASCP) and MLS(ASCP), the route requiring CLA(ASCP) certication will be discontinued as of

January 1, 2023. Information about this change will be posted to the website in January 2022.

Qualication in Biorepository Science

• (QBRS) had clarity added to the type and amount of science coursework required for eligibility.

CERTIFICATION IN DONOR PHLEBOTOMY

TRANSITIONING TO A QUALIFICATION JANUARY 2022

The current certication for Donor Phlebotomy Technician, DPT(ASCP) will be transitioning to the Qualication in

Donor Phlebotomy, QDP, as of January 1, 2022. Complete information is available here: www.ascp.org/boc/dpt

and www.ascp.org/boc/qdp.

REVISED MLT AND MLS EXAMINATION CONTENT

GUIDELINES

Examination Content Guidelines for the MLT and MLS exams administered beginning January 1, 2022,

have been revised. The revised content guidelines are currently available on the Get Credentialed page

of the BOC website.

December 2021 BOC Newsletter | Page 6

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY CERTIFICATION: RECOMBINANT DNA

TECHNOLOGY TO MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS - TODAY’S

TECHNOLOGY INSPIRED BY PAST DISCOVERIES

by Lela Buckingham, PhD, MSc, MB(ASCP)

DLM

Nucleic acid testing techniques used in the

clinical laboratory are based on momentous

discoveries leading to what was called re-

combinant DNA technology. Even with their

futuristic visions, early scientists may not

have predicted what we take for granted as

routine work today. Imagine the reactions

of historical scientists to our current pro-

cedures. The Greek physician Hippocrates

(400-377 BC) is credited with the initiation

of diagnostic testing of patient body uids.

He may not have realized the true wealth of

information in these materials, stored inside

of nucleated cells in the form of deoxyribo-

nucleic acid (DNA), carried by ribonucleic

acid (RNA) to be translated into protein and

ultimately the phenotypes he observed. We

can only wonder how prescient his vision of

the information held in body tissues and u-

ids actually was.

The form of genetic information was rst

proposed in 1866 by Gregor Mendel as dis-

creet units of inheritance. Mendel would

likely be gratied that his theories have

been the basis of molecular genetic testing.

Fredrich Meischer, who rst isolated nucleic

acid from cells in 1869, would be intrigued

by automatic nucleic acid isolation systems

currently used and our ability to obtain his

“nuclein” from unlikely sources such as pre-

served tissue and touched objects. Walther

Flemming would certainly appreciate the in-

tricate uorescent imaging technology that

allows medical laboratory scientists to ob-

serve and study the mitotic chromosomes

that he rst described in 1882.

Scientic interest in nucleic acid analy-

sis grew through the late 1940s to early

1950s. After their experiments in the 1940s

on DNA as the genetic material, Oswald

Avery, Frederick Grifth, Maclyn McCarty,

and Colin McCleod might still be fascinat-

ed with its use for detection and identica-

tion of microorganisms and how disease

risk could be traced through DNA. Study of

DNA was highlighted by the rst descrip-

tion of its molecular structure published by

James Watson and Francis Crick in 1951.

Rosalind Franklin’s famous X-ray diffrac-

tion images were key to the solution of the

double helix. What would she think of the

use of computerized sequence analysis to

instantly predict effects of amino acid sub-

stitutions on protein structure and function?

Who among the many contributors to the

discovery of messenger RNA 10 years lat-

er would have predicted the use of a modi-

ed RNA as a therapeutic vaccine? Werner

Arber, Daniel Nathans and Hamilton Smith,

who rst described restriction enzymes in

the mid 1960s, may eventually have con-

sidered the potential use of the Cas en-

zyme and clustered regularly interspaced

short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) for

gene therapy. After the demonstration of

semiconservative DNA replication in 1958,

Matthew Meselson and Frank Stahl would

certainly be intrigued by the discovery by

Kerry Mullis leading to the nucleic acid am-

plication methods routinely performed by

laboratory scientists today. As high com-

plexity tests using nucleic acids evolved,

single target hybridization techniques gave

way to multiplex arrays and cytogenetic im-

aging as well as nucleic acid amplication

and sequencing methods.

The American Society of Clinical Pathology

(ASCP) recognized the importance of cer-

tied knowledge and skills in molecu-

lar biology and, in 2003, implemented the

Technologist in Molecular Pathology (MP)

Certication Examination, which is now

the Technologist in Molecular Biology

(MB) Examination. Certication in molecu-

lar biology initially offered by the National

Credentialing Agency for Laboratory

Personnel (NCA) in 1997 was recognized

by ASCP in 2009. Medical scientists with

ASCP certication have realized preferred

hiring by medical and industrial laborato-

ries developing and utilizing DNA and RNA

analysis for nucleic acid testing, as well as

development of diagnostic products and

instrumentation.

Molecular diagnostics as a key aspect of

patient care has also led to opportunities for

administrative and management positions

in this area. In medicine, molecular pathol-

ogy has become a valuable component of

diagnostic and prognostic interpretation for

physicians. This requires laboratorians who

have developed specialized skills, not only

in performance of molecular protocols, but

design and interpretation of nucleic acid

testing methods for diagnosis and charac-

terization of acquired and inherited diseas-

es. Bioinformatics for clear communications

with physicians and other health profession-

als is of tantamount importance. In keeping

current with the evolution of the profession,

ASCP introduced the Specialist in Molecular

Biology (SMB) Certication Examination in

2018. This examination addresses skills re-

quired for supervisors, managers and direc-

tors of molecular diagnostics laboratories

including advanced molecular testing, bio-

informatics, novel clinical applications and

laboratory management, including method

design and test development.

To establish eligibility for the MB examina-

tion, there are sets of minimum prerequisites

(routes), depending on education, training

and experience. These include combina-

tions of a baccalaureate or higher degree

from a regionally-accredited college/univer-

sity. In addition to formal training, full time

experience in a molecular biology laborato-

ry that offers molecular methods including

nucleic acid isolation, amplication, detec-

tion, sequencing, hybridization techniques,

and data analysis is required. The time of

experience (six months to one year) de-

pends on the level of education completed.

Routes of eligibility for the SMB examina-

tion include successful completion of the

MB examination and a baccalaureate or

higher degree and full-time experience in

molecular biology laboratory (one to three

years). Detailed descriptions of the routes to

eligibility for testing and subject content for

the MB and SMB can be found at ascp.org.

As in other elds of study, technology is

rapidly advancing. Keeping current with on-

going developments through classes, as-

sociation and society meetings, original

articles, texts, new product development

and electronic sources can not only ben-

et those wishing to become certied in

this area, but enhance existing laboratory

skills. Scientists of the past would marvel at

what is possible in the molecular diagnos-

tics laboratories today. And we have not yet

imagined the wonders of the future for this

technology, using nucleic acids for predic-

tion, diagnosis, treatment, and eradication

of disease.

December 2021 BOC Newsletter | Page 7

SHARING OF PPR INFORMATION

The ASCP Board of Certication (BOC) would like to remind program directors that the Program Performance

Report (PPR) is a paid subscription service meant for use by program directors and program administrators only;

specic data from the PPR is not to be shared with the public. The information contained in the PPR should be

handled in a condential manner which respects the rights of the individual whose scores are reported. Individual

student data, subtest means, scaled score comparisons, and the histogram are not public information. This infor-

mation should not be shared publicly, including for recruitment efforts or marketing purposes.

Any data that is shared with accrediting bodies or program administration must be anonymized and aggregated

where possible. As an outcomes measure for accreditation purposes, program directors may publicly share over-

all program pass rates (i.e., our graduates have a X- year average pass rate of XX percent on national certication

exams; the national average is XX percent).

2022 PPR INVOICE

Payment Due Jan. 1, 2022 for Uninterrupted Access

Emails with a link to access the 2022 Program Performance Report (PPR) invoices were sent to all program direc-

tors of NAACLS, CAAHEP, and ABHES accredited/approved programs, as well as BOC-documented structured

phlebotomy and MLA training programs, on October 12, 2021. A reminder email was sent in early December.

The invoice amount is $150 per program and covers the period of January 1, 2022, through December 31, 2022.

Payment instructions are included on the invoice.

PDAC TO HOST LIVE EVENTS FOR BOC PROGRAM

DIRECTORS

The ASCP BOC Program Director’s Advisory Committee (PDAC) is made up of volunteers with several years of

program experience. One of their main roles is to manage the Program Director’s Facebook group. They have

also started hosting live events over Zoom to discuss topics that are top of mind to program directors. The rst

event, held on December 3, 2020, was a “meet and greet” focused on networking and sharing ideas for future live

events. The second, held on April 20, 2021, provided program directors with a tour of the BOC website, as well

as a deep dive into the EEV process. You can nd the recording here. Check the Facebook page for details about

upcoming events.

PBT AND MLA APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Phlebotomy (PBT) and Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA) applicants must be able to verify that they meet all

eligibility requirements, including proof of high school graduation or equivalent. All applicants are required to sub-

mit ofcial transcripts to verify high school graduation or equivalency in order to meet the eligibility requirements.

Acceptance into a program or institution does not verify the meeting of this academic requirement.

Complete information is available on the ASCP BOC website at www.ascp.org/boc/transcript. If you have ques-

tions about verifying high school graduation or equivalency, please email us at [email protected].

December 2021 BOC Newsletter | Page 8

TRANSITION OF ASCP/ASCP

CREDENTIALS

Medical Technologist (MT) to Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS)

In 2020, the ASCP Board of Certication (BOC) and the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)

collaborated and wrote a position paper titled, “Standardizing the Professional Title of Medical Laboratory

Scientists.” The paper was endorsed by all of the ASCP BOC Sponsoring, Participating, and Collaborating soci-

eties. The primary purpose of the paper was to address the inconsistency of professional nomenclature and the

impact this has had on the profession and the professionals’ identity. Visit the ASCP BOC website to read the

complete paper.

At the BOC Board of Governors (BOG) meeting in October 2021, the BOG approved a plan to transition all

MT(ASCP) and MT(ASCP

) credentials to MLS(ASCP) and MLS(ASCP

). This change of terminology from Medical

Technologist to Medical Laboratory Scientist is a critical step in the move towards standardizing the professional

title of medical laboratory professionals. BOC staff will be implementing this transition in 2022.

IN MEMORIAM

Susan King Strasinger, DA, MT(ASCP)

July 2, 1939–August 11, 2021

We mourn the loss of Susan King Strasinger, DA, MT(ASCP).

Susan was the consummate medical laboratory science pro-

fessional and during her career was an educator, a mentor, an author, and a volunteer for ASCP. For many years,

Susan was the MLT program director for Northern Virginia Community College and later an adjunct professor in

the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program at the University of West Florida in Pensacola. She served as the chair

and vice-chair of the ASCP Board of Certication’s (BOC) Joint Generalist Certication Examination Committee.

For a decade, she served on the ASCP LabQ Editorial Board (Editor-in-Chief, co-chair, and associate editor) and

served on the Commission on Publications. Susan and Marjorie DiLorenzo are the authors of the quintessential

book, “Urinalysis and Body Fluids,” which has been on BOC’s suggested reading list for MLT and MLS for de-

cades. Her contributions to medical laboratory science will live on through everyone who has been touched by her.

To read more about Susan’s life, or to leave a message to her family, go to www.wolfefuneralhomes.com/

obituary/susan-strasinger

SUE JOHNSON, MSTM, MT(ASCP)SBB

RECEIVES

AABB’S JOHN ELLIOTT MEMORIAL AWARD

ASCP Board of Certication Board of Governors Past Chair, Sue Johnson, MSTM, MT(ASCP)SBB

, was awarded

the 2021 John Elliott Memorial Award by the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies (AABB).

She is the Director of Clinical Education at Versiti and Director of the Transfusion Medicine Program at Marquette

University.

Established in 1956, the John Elliott Memorial Award recognizes individuals who have given outstanding service

to AABB by demonstrating a willingness to lend his/her expertise to the association through work on committees,

the AABB Board of Directors and other areas.

Ms. Johnson was selected for her extraordinary commitment and involvement on various committees and service

through her numerous presentations of AABB programs related to immunohematology and reference laboratories.

December 2021 BOC Newsletter | Page 9

2020 AND 2021 ASCP BOC DISTINGUISHED SERVICE

AWARDS PRESENTATION

The ASCP Board of Certication (BOC) recognized several volunteers at an awards ceremony in Boston on

October 30, 2021. The BOC Board of Governors Chair, Sue Johnson (October 2019–September 2021) presented

the BOC Distinguished Service Award (DSA) to both the 2020 and 2021 recipients at a luncheon in their honor.

The DSA is presented to volunteers who have served the BOC for a minimum of six years and made signicant

contributions involving extra time and effort toward the BOC mission to provide excellence in certication of labo-

ratory professionals on behalf of patients worldwide.

The recipients honored in Boston include:

• Patty Eschliman, MHA, MLS(ASCP)

DLM

, was awarded a 2020 DSA. Ms. Eschliman served as the Clinical

Laboratory Management Association (CLMA) representative to the BOG from 2010–2019. She currently serves

on the Laboratory Management Examination Committee.

• Amy Groszbach, MEd, MLT(ASCP)MB

, was awarded a 2021 DSA. Ms. Groszbach served as one of the

Association of Genetic Technologists (AGT) representatives to the BOG from 2011–2020.

• Susan Harrington, PhD, D(ABMM), MLS(ASCP)

, was awarded a 2021 DSA. Dr. Harrington served as the

American Society for Microbiology (ASM) representative to the BOG from 2010–2020. She served as the Chair

of the BOG from 2017–2019.

• Lee Hilborne, MD, MPH, FASCP, DLM(ASCP)

, was awarded a 2020 DSA. Dr. Hilborne served as one of

the American Society for Clinical Pathology Fellow representatives to the BOG from 2010–20219. He currently

serves on the Laboratory Management Examination Committee.

• Lena Spencer, HTL(ASCP)QIHC

, was posthumously awarded a 2021 DSA. Ms. Spencer served as the

National Society for Histotechnology (NSH) representative to the BOG from 2011–2020. Ms. Spencer lost her

battle with cancer in December 2020. The DSA was sent to her family.

• Terry Taff, MA, MT(ASCP)SM

, was awarded a 2021 DSA. Ms. Taff served on the Microbiology Examination

Committee from 2013–2020 and currently serves on the BOC Research and Development Committee.

ONLINE DOCUMENTATION FORMS

Documentation forms submitted through the mail will not be accepted or processed. All documentation

forms and letters of authenticity must be sent to the appropriate documentation mailbox for the category of ap-

plication. See the COVID-19 document for complete information.

Pictured (left to right)

Amy Groszbach,

Terry Taff,

Susan Harington,

Patty Eschliman,

and Lee Hilborne.

December 2021 BOC Newsletter | Page 10

Andreana (Andy) Rivera, MD, FASCP, joins the

Board of Governors as one of the American Society

for Clinical Pathology Fellow representatives. She

is a Neuropathologist and Anatomic Pathologist at

Houston Methodist Hospital in Texas. Dr. Rivera has

served on the BOC Histotechnology Examination

Committee since 2015.

Rex Famitangco, MSc, MLS(ASCP)

QLC

joins the Board of Governors as one of the

American Society for Clinical Pathology labo-

ratory professional representatives. He is the

Laboratory Administrative Director at Morrill

County Community Hospital in Bridgeport, NE.

NEW BOARD OF GOVERNORS

MEMBERS

At the October 2021 Board of Certication Board of Governors (BOG) meeting in

Boston, two new members were welcomed to the BOG.

BOARD OF GOVERNERS

VOLUNTEERS 2021-2022

Executive Committee

Chair

Susan Graham, MS, MT(ASCP)SH

- NY

Past Chair

Susan Johnson, MSTM, MT(ASCP)SBB

– WI

Secretary

Vicki Freeman, PhD, MASCP, MLS (ASCP)

, FAACC – TX

Financial Ofcer

Thomas Alexander, PhD, D(ABMLI) - OH

ASCLS Representative

Joan Polancic, MSEd, MLS(ASCP)

– CO

AGT Representative

Denise Anamani, MA, I(ASCP)MB

– CT

Member-At-Large

William Finn, MD, MASCP - MI

Participating Society Representative

Michael Sovocool, MHS, PA(ASCP)

– NY

Governors

Dana Altenburger, MD, FASCP – IL

J.R. Constance, MHA, MLS(ASCP)

– CO

Dana Duzan, MLS(ASCP)

– WA

Rex Famitangco, MSc, MLS(ASCP)

QLC

– NE

Elaine Francis, EdD – MA

Catherine Gebhart, PhD, D(ABHI), MB(ASCP)

– MA

Amanda Harrington, PhD, D(ABMM) – IL

Alexandra Harrington, MD, FASCP, MT(ASCP) – WI

Ericka Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)

–TX

Barbara McGahey-Frain, MS, SCT(ASCP)

– IN

Andreana Rivera, MD FASCP – TX

Lori Schmitt, HT(ASCP)QIHC

– PA

Linda Smith, PhD, MLS(ASCP)

– TX

Geoffrey Talmon, MD FASCP – NE

Patti Walton, MHSA, MT(ASCP) – TN

Front row (left to right): Andreana Rivera, MD FASCP;

Alexandra Harrington, MD, FASCP, MT(ASCP);

Thomas Alexander, PhD, D(ABMLI); Sue Johnson, MSTM,

MT(ASCP)SBB

; Susan Graham, MS, MT(ASCP)SH

;

Vicki Freeman, PhD, MASCP, MLS(ASCP)

SC, FAACC;

Denise Anamani, MA, I(ASCP)MB

; and Catherine Gebhart,

PhD, D(ABHI), MB(ASCP)

Back row (left to right): Michael Sovocool, MHS, PA(ASCP)

;

Rex Famitangco, MSc, MASCP, MLS(ASCP)

QLC

;

Dana Duzan, MLS(ASCP)

; Joan Polancic, MSEd, MLS(ASCP)

;

Barbara McGahey-Frain, MS, SCT(ASCP)

; Geoffrey Allen

Talmon, MD FASCP; William Finn, MD, MASCP;

J.R. Constance, MLS(ASCP)

; Dana Altenburger, MD,

FASCP; and Elaine Francis, EdD.

Not pictured: Amanda Harrington, PhD, D(ABMM); Ericka

Hendrix, PhD, MB(ASCP)

; Lori Schmitt, HT(ASCP)QIHC

;

and Linda Smith, PhD, MLS(ASCP)

December 2021 BOC Newsletter | Page 11

EXAMINATION COMMITTEE & WORK GROUP

VOLUNTEERS 2021-2022

APHERESIS QUALIFICATION WORK GROUP

Chair

Christina Anderson, RN, BSN, HP(ASCP) – TX

Vice Chair

Antonia Hagen-Coonradt, RN, BSB – MT

Members

Betty Doggett, AT(ASCP)

– TX

Christine Fernandez, RN, MSN – CO

Marisa Marques, MD, FASCP – AL

Cheryl Pacheco BSN, RN, CPN, QIA

– MA

Joseph Schwartz, MD, MPH, QIA

– NJ

BIOREPOSITORY QUALIFICATION WORK

GROUP

Chair

Kathy Mangold, PhD, MB(ASCP)

– IL

Members

Anne Breggia, PhD, MT(ASCP), CHS(ASHI) – ME

Mary Ann Clements, BS – VA

Annemieke De Wilde, MS – Belgium

Carol Elliott, MS, CG(ASCP)

, RAC, CCRP – AZ

Hector Monforte, MD – FL

Piper Mullins, MIS – Washington, DC

Alison Parry-Jones, PhD – United Kingdom

BLOOD BANKING EXAMINATION

COMMITTEE

Chair

Laurie Gillard, MS, MLS(ASCP)

SBB

– IL

Vice Chair

Theresa Kinard, MD – AZ

Members

Michelle Brown, PhD, MS, MLS(ASCP)

SBB

, CHSE – AL

Lay See Er, MSTM, SBB(ASCP)

– WA

Yunchuan Delores Mo, MD, MSc, FASCP – VA

Lisa Shave, MS, MLS(ASCP)

SBB

– NJ

CLINICAL CHEMISTRY EXAMINATION

COMMITTEE

Chair

Leslie Nakagawa, MLS(ASCP)

– WA

Vice Chair

Erica Schatz Caracoglia, MAEd, MT(ASCP)SM

– NC

Members

Jeannie Guglielmo, MS, MAT, MLS(ASCP)

– NY

Kelly Hankal, MBA, MLS(ASCP)

– OK

Michele McAfee, PhD, MT(ASCP)SC

,SBB

– TX

Gerardo Ramos, PhD, MLS(ASCP)

, F-ABFT, FAACC – TX

CYTOGENETICS EXAMINATION

COMMITTEE

Chair

Michael Zombory, CG(ASCP)

– FL

Vice Chair

Annmarie Rupp, MA, CG(ASCP)

– IL

Members

Patrick Cheong, MT(ASCP)CG

– TX

Shannon Gaskin, CG(ASCP)

– WA

Jill Johnston, BS, CG(ASCP)

– UT

Ming Zhao, MD, MS, CG(ASCP)

– TX

CYTOLOGY EXAMINATION COMMITTEE

Chair

Christine Alvares, MS, CT(ASCP)

– CA

Vice Chair

Keisha Burnett, EdD, SCT(ASCP)

– TN

Members

David Chhieng, MD, FASCP – WA

Kara Hansing, MSEd, SCT(ASCP)

– MN

Aparna Mahajan, MD – WI

Katharine Nejkauf, SCT(ASCP)

– CO

Maoxin Wu, MD, PhD – NY

CYTOMETRY EXAMINATION COMMITTEE

Chair

Jessica Back, PhD, SCYM(ASCP)

– MI

Vice Chair

Bruce Greig, MT(ASCP)SCYM

– TN

Members

Josephine Lannigan, DLM(ASCP) – VA

Walter Oliveira, MASCP, MLS(ASCP)

SI – VA

Kristy Wolniak, MD, PhD, FASCP – IL

HEMATOLOGY EXAMINATION COMMITTEE

Chair

Jeanne Isabel, EdD, MLS(ASCP)

– IL

Vice Chair

Miriam Kim, MT(ASCP)SH

– WA

Members

Brooke Davis, MLS(ASCP)

– AZ

Alexandra Harrington, MD, FASCP, MT(ASCP) – WI

Jeannie Muir, MD, MT(ASCP) – MD

Pamela Primrose, PhD, MT(ASCP) – IN

HISTOTECHNOLOGY EXAMINATION

COMMITTEE

Chair

Andreana Rivera, MD, FASCP – TX

Vice Chair

Toysha Mayer, DHSc, HT(ASCP) – TX

Members

Traci DeGeer, HTL(ASCP)QIHC

– OK

Amy Gunderson, MHA, HTL(ASCP)

– MN

Jenny Husen, HTL(ASCP)

– OR

Jerry Santiago, PhD, HTL(ASCP)QIHC

– FL

JOINT GENERALIST EXAMINATION

COMMITTEE

Chair

Laurie Gillard, MS, MLS(ASCP)

SBB

– IL

Members

Erica Schatz Caracoglia, MAEd, MT(ASCP)SM

– NC

Rosemary Duda, MS, MLS(ASCP)

SM,I – IL

Paul Mann, PhD, MLS(ASCP)

– MI

December 2021 BOC Newsletter | Page 12

EXAMINATION COMMITTEE & WORK GROUP

VOLUNTEERS 2021-2022, cont.

LABORATORY MANAGEMENT

EXAMINATION COMMITTEE

Chair

Joshua Simons, MBA, MS, HT(ASCP)

DLM

– MI

Vice Chair

Richard Warren, MHA, MT(ASCP)SH,DLM – TN

Members

Jeanne Anderson, MBA, MLS(ASCP)

DLM

– MO

Patty Eschliman, MHA, MLS(ASCP)

DLM

– KS

Lee Hilborne, MD, MPH, FASCP, DLM(ASCP)

– CA

Matthew Lauterbach, MBA, MLS(ASCP)

DLM

– GA

Donna Marquess, FACHE, MA, MT(ASCP)SBB,DLM

– MD

Todd Tetreault, MA, MAEd, MBA, MS, MT(ASCP)DLM – WA

LABORATORY SAFETY QUALIFICATION

WORK GROUP

Chair

Daniel Scungio, MT(ASCP)SLS

, CQA(ASQ)– VA

Vice Chair

Linda Gylland, MLS(ASCP)

QLS

– ND

Members

Diane Davis, PhD, MLS(ASCP)

,SLS

– MD

MEDICAL LABORATORY ASSISTANT

EXAMINATION COMMITTEE

Chair

Walter Oliveira, MASCP, MLS(ASCP)

SI – VA

Vice Chair

Kathleen Finnegan, MS, MT(ASCP)SH

– NY

Members

Robin Bell, MLS(ASCP)

– OR

Karri Cargill, MLS(ASCP)

– MN

E. Susan Cease, MLS(ASCP)

– OR

Stacie Mason, M.S.Ed., MLS(ASCP)

– IA

MEDICAL LABORATORY IMMUNOLOGY

EXAMINATION COMMITTEE

Chair

Thomas Alexander, PhD, D(ABMLI) – OH

Vice Chair

Anne Tebo, PhD, D(ABMLI) – UT

Members

Tracey Boneld, PhD, D(ABMLI) – OH

Aaruni Khanolkar, MBBS, PhD, D(ABMLI) – IL

Gerald Miller, PhD, D(ABMLI) – OK

Sara Nandiwada, PhD, D(ABMLI) – TX

John Schmitz, PhD, D(ABHI, ABMLI) – NC

MICROBIOLOGY EXAMINATION

COMMITTEE

Chair

Laurel Glaser, MD, PhD – PA

Vice Chair

Lara Martens, SM(ASCP)

– CA

Members

MaryAnn Brandt, SM(ASCP)

– OK

Rosemary Duda, MS, MLS(ASCP)

SM,I – IL

Rachel Hursh, MLS(ASCP)

– IN

Terri Murphy-Sanchez, MLS(ASCP)

– TX

MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EXAMINATION

COMMITTEE

Chair

Lela Buckingham, PhD, MSc, MB(ASCP)

DLM

– IL

Vice Chair

Kathy Mangold, PhD, MB(ASCP)

– IL

Members

Barbara Anderson, MS, MB(ASCP)

– NC

Katie Bennett, PhD, MB(ASCP)

, NRCC-CC – TX

Jill Branson, MS, MB(ASCP)

– IA

David Hillyard, MD – UT

Paul Mann, PhD, MLS(ASCP)

– MI

PATHOLOGISTS’ ASSISTANTS

EXAMINATION COMMITTEE

Chair

Charlene Gettings, MS, PA(ASCP)

– IL

Vice Chair

Kjerstin Buboltz, PA(ASCP)

– ND

Members

Robert Cottrell, MHS, PA(ASCP)

– CT

Ajit Paintal, MD – IL

Daniel Soderberg, MHS, PA(ASCP)

– MN

Justin Susterich, PA(ASCP)

– MA

PHLEBOTOMY EXAMINATION COMMITTEE

Chair

Theresa McElhattan, MHA, CLA(ASCP)PBT

– PA

Vice Chair

Lynne Steele, MS, MT(ASCP) – IL

Members

Tyler Anderson, DPT(ASCP)

– UT

Laura Fuoco, PBT(ASCP)

– NY

Alexis Grifth, PBT(ASCP)

DPT

– FL

Kourtney Kost, DPT(ASCP)

– PA

Mary Smith, PBT(ASCP)

– TX

December 2021 BOC Newsletter | Page 13

STAFF SPOTLIGHT: LAREKA PRATT

The ASCP Board of Certication (BOC) worked quickly to offset the challenges that the COVID-19 pandemic

brought to the certication process. In addition to providing more electronic processes, additional staff was hired.

Lareka Pratt is one of two new evaluators hired during the pandemic.

Ms. Pratt began working in the BOC as a temporary employee in April, having been hired and trained over Zoom. In

August, she joined the regular, full-time ranks as a U.S. Evaluator working on Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT)

exam applications. When asked what it was like being hired during a pandemic, she said, “Being hired during the

pandemic was denitely a DIFFERENT experience. Not being able to have face-to-face training, or getting an ac-

tual feel for the work environment because everything was virtual, was challenging but exciting.”

Raised in Chicago, Ms. Pratt attended Southern Illinois University where she majored in business administration.

A musician, she plays violin on the weekends and is currently teaching her daughter to play as well. When not

working, she enjoys arts and crafts and experimenting with new hairstyles.

When asked who has inspired her, she said, “My parents and daughter inspire me. Every day of my life, I have seen

my parents give all of themselves to provide a better life for me, while teaching me how to be the best friend and

parent my daughter needs.”

• Interesting fact: I used to work on classic cars with my grandfather.

• Most interesting job: Working for the City of Chicago Water Department.

• Favorite place: California, I lived there for three years.

• Favorite song: I Want to Thank You, by Alicia Myers, or Wanted Dead or Alive, by Bon Jovi.

December 2021 BOC Newsletter | Page 14

EDITOR

Patricia Tanabe, MPA, MLS(ASCP)

MANAGING EDITOR &

PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

Robin Lewis, PBT(ASCP)

INTERNATIONAL MANAGING EDITOR

Joseph Brendan Baker, MS

CHAIR-BOG

Susan Johnson, MSTM, MT(ASCP)SBB

INTERNATIONAL CREDENTIALING COMMITTEE

Chair

Catherine Gebhart, PhD, D(ABHI), MB(ASCP)

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

Chair

Vicki Freeman, PhD, MASCP, MLS(ASCP)

FAACC

Elaine B. Francis, EdD

Patti J. Walton, MHSA, MT(ASCP)

Lori Schmitt, HT(ASCP)QIHC

BOC PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS

Sponsoring Societies

Association of Genetic Technologists (AGT)

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)

Participating Societies

American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA)

American Society of Cytopathology (ASC)

American Society for Microbiology (ASM)

Association for the Advancement of Blood & Biotherapies (AABB)

Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA)

National Society for Histotechnology (NSH)

Collaborating Societies

AACC

American Society of Hematology (ASH)

The mission of the ASCP Board of Certication (BOC) is to provide excellence

in certication of laboratory professionals on behalf of patients worldwide.

The vision of the ASCP Board of Certication (BOC) is to be the

gold standard in global certication for all laboratory professionals.