BOC Newsletter | Fall 2011 1

Highlights In This Issue

• Updates from the October 2011 BOC Board of Governors’ Meeting p.2

• Hows and Whys: Becoming a Specialist in Cytotechnology (SCT) p.6

• Mission Possible p.7• BOC Distinguished Service Award Recipient p.8• ASCP Donation of Textbooks Enhances Teaching Abilities in

Rwanda p.9• 2011 - 2012 BOC Board of Governors p.10• Staff Spotlight on Colleen Breen p.14• Examination Statistics for July - December 2010 p.15

Providingexcellenceincertificationoflaboratoryprofessionals on behalf of patients worldwide.

BOCNewsletterFall 2011

Chair’s MessageWalter Oliveira, MLS(ASCP)CMSI

A popular military slogan of the past depicted Uncle Sam pointing his finger forward with the caption “We Want You.” The goal was to rise volunteers for

the task at hand. While times have changed, the need for volunteers in any organization is a key component in carrying out the stated mission. The reliance on volunteers is one of the hallmarks and strengths of the ASCP Board of Certification.

The ASCP BOC exams have always been considered the “gold standard” in certification of laboratory

professionals since the ASCP Board of Registry was established in 1928. Keeping that high standard and evolving as the field of laboratory medicine changed was only possible because of dedicated volunteers. Today we still rely on the dedication, energy, excellence, and passion (DEEP) of our volunteers to carry on that same commitment.

Each examination committee is made up of volunteers from a wide range of positions in the specific discipline. We have volunteers who are front line staff at their facility, supervisors and managers who hire and evaluate newly certified employees, educators who impart knowledge and encourage students, doctorate level scientific directors, and pathologists with medical degrees. They come from community hospitals,

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academic facilities, public health, industry, and private corporations.

Volunteers are also pulled from a wide geographic distribution. It is important to understand the practice of the specific discipline across the country. The geographic diversity allows for discussion, debate, and understanding, so that we can create the best possible certification exam for applicants. Regardless of where a student trains, the questions on the exam are relevant, current, referenced, and statistically valid.

We Want You to be a DEEP and WIDE volunteer for the ASCP BOC. There is nothing magic or secret about the process. The new website features a “Volunteer”

Updates from the October 2011 BOC Board of Governors’ Meeting

button that allows you to submit your name. The information will be part of a database for each exam committee. So when the Microbiology Committee needs someone who knows parasitology or mycology and comes from the southwest, we can provide a name as a potential guest.

The work is hard but the satisfaction of knowing you are part of our mission to provide excellence in certification of laboratory professionals on behalf of patients worldwide is rewarding. Volunteers are special. They toil out of a DEEP and WIDE love for what they do in order to see something flourish. This is your invitation, what are you waiting for!

The BOC Board of Governors meeting was held from Oct. 22 to 23, 2011, in Las Vegas. The following actions were approved at this meeting:

• Specialist in Chemistry, SC(ASCP)A new eligibility route was added to the eligibility re-quirements for the Specialist in Chemistry, SC(ASCP) certification, as shown below. This route becomes effective immediately and will be published in the January-June 2012 U.S. Procedures for Examination and Certification.

Route 4: MT/MLS(ASCP) certification, AND a doc-torate in Chemistry, Biology, Immunology, Microbiol-ogy, Allied Health, Clinical Laboratory Sciences, or an appropriately related field from a regionally accredited college/university AND two years full-time laboratory experience in chemistry (e.g., clinical, research) in the U.S. or Canada or an accredited laboratory* within the last ten years.

• International Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCPi)The eligibility requirements for the International Medi-cal Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCPi) were revised to accommodate different educational systems around the world as shown below. These revisions are effective immediately and will be published in the next edition of the International Procedures for Examination and Certification, available in January 2012.

Route 1: Minimum of a two-year diploma in Medical Laboratory Technology* which includes Blood Banking (Immunohematology), Chemistry, Hematology, and Microbiology from an accredited/approved educational institution**, OR

Route 2: Minimum of a two-year diploma or equiva-lent in any biological science or chemical science from an accredited/approved** educational institution AND complete a Medical Laboratory training program**. The training program must include Blood Banking (Immu-nohematology), Chemistry, Hematology, and Microbi-ology, OR

Route 3: Minimum of a two year diploma or equiva-lent in any biological science or chemical science from an accredited/approved** educational institution AND complete three years experience including all aspects of the clinical laboratory in an accredited/approved*** laboratory facility. Experience must include Blood Banking (Immunohematology), Chemistry, Hematol-ogy, and Microbiology.

*Degrees/Diplomas in Medical Laboratory Technology include Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Laboratory Science, and Biomedical Laboratory Science.

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**Accredited/approved by a governing regulatory associa-tion or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation/approval must have programs/educational institutions approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification, or eligibility will be determined by transcript evaluation.

***Accredited by JCI, CAP, ISO 9000, or a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation must have laboratories approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification.

• International Medical Technologist, MT(ASCPi) The eligibility routes for the International Medical Tech-nologist, MT(ASCPi) were also revised for clarification, more flexibility, and consistency with the U.S. Medical Laboratory Scientist eligibility requirements, as shown below. These requirements become effective immediately and will be published in the International Procedures for Examination and Certification.

Route 1: A baccalaureate degree in Medical Technol-ogy*, biological science, or chemistry from an accred-ited/approved** educational institution AND complete a Medical Laboratory training program**. The training program must include Blood Banking (Immunohema-tology), Chemistry, Hematology, and Microbiology, OR

Route 2: A baccalaureate degree in Medical Technol-ogy* from an accredited/approved** educational institu-tion AND complete three years experience including all aspects of the clinical laboratory in an accredited/approved*** laboratory facility. Experience must include Blood Banking (Immunohematology), Chemistry, He-matology, and Microbiology, OR

Route 3: Minimum of a two-year diploma or equivalent in Medical Technology* from an accredited/approved** educational institution AND complete a baccalaureate degree in any field from an accredited/approved** edu-cational institution AND complete a Medical Labora-tory training program**. The training program must include Blood Banking (Immunohematology), Chemis-try, Hematology, and Microbiology, OR

Route 4: A baccalaureate degree in any biological science or chemistry from an accredited/approved** educational institution AND complete five years experi-

ence including all aspects of the clinical laboratory in an accredited/approved*** laboratory facility. Experience must include Blood Banking (Immunohematology), Chemistry, Hematology, and Microbiology, OR

Route 5: Minimum of a two-year diploma or equivalent in any biological science or chemistry from an accred-ited/approved** educational institution AND complete a baccalaureate degree from an accredited/approved** educational institution AND complete five years experi-ence including all aspects of the clinical laboratory in an accredited/approved*** laboratory facility. Experience must include Blood Banking (Immunohematology), Chemistry, Hematology, and Microbiology.

*Degrees/Diplomas in Medical Technology include Medical Technology, Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Labora-tory Science, and Biomedical Laboratory Science.

**Accredited/approved by a governing regulatory associa-tion or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation/approval must have programs/educational institutions approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification, or eligibility will be determined by transcript evaluation. The bacca-laureate degree must be equivalent to a U.S. baccalaureate degree.

***Accredited by JCI, CAP, ISO 9000, or a governing regulatory association or Ministry. Countries without a prevalent system of accreditation must have laboratories approved by an International Advisory Board appointed by the ASCP Board of Certification.

• Histotechnician, HT(ASCP) and Histotechnologist, HTL(ASCP)The academic requirement under Route 2 for HT was clarified to specify that coursework in biology and chemistry must include credit hours in both biology and chemistry. The academic requirements under both Routes 2 and 3 for HTL were clarified to specify that coursework in biology and chemistry must include credit hours in both biology and chemistry.

• Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) PointsA revision was made in the activities acceptable for CMP points. Since courses taken at a college/university may not directly reflect the competencies required of

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individuals certified to work in specific laboratory areas, the CMP points earned through college coursework may not exceed 50 percent of the total CMP points required to maintain a certification. This revision will be effective for individuals certified beginning Jan. 1, 2012, and for certificants whose recertification period begins Jan. 1, 2012 and after. Please see the updated CMP Procedures available online by Jan. 1, 2012.

• Synchronizing Multiple Certifications for CMPA motion was passed to allow certificants with multiple certifications to synchronize the completion of their renewal process if they choose to do so. They may com-plete points and submit the declaration for certification at an earlier date within the three-year cycle to coincide with another certification, as long as the three-year cycle for any one certification category is not exceeded. See the article “CMP Updates” below for more informa-tion. Detailed information will also be included in the updated CMP Procedures, available online by Jan. 1, 2012.

• Revalidation of QualificationsThe requirement to revalidate qualifications has been revised to facilitate synchronization of CMP for certi-fications and revalidation for qualifications. Previously, individuals with qualifications (QIHC, QCYM, and QLI) were required to revalidate them every five years with 10 CMP points required for revalidation. The new requirement specifies revalidation every three years with six CMP points required. This requirement will be effec-tive for individuals who obtain a qualification (QIHC, QCYM, QLI, and QLS) beginning Jan. 1, 2012, and for all individuals holding qualifications whose new requalification period begins Jan. 1, 2012 and after.

• International CMPInternational certificants employed in resource-limited countries will receive scholarship funding, with a dis-counted price of $35 for CMP.

Program Director UpdateThe 2012 Program Performance Report (PPR) invoices were sent out via email on Sept. 12, 2011, to all pro-gram directors of NAACLS and CAAHEP accredited/approved active programs. Some program directors did experience a problem with the link to the invoice and a revised email was resent to those affected on Sept. 15. Payment instructions were included on the invoice.

Please contact sonja.bugvilionis@ascp.org if you have not yet received an invoice.

The U.S. Procedures for Examination and Certification booklet is currently being revised. The new January-June 2012 edition will be available on the website in January 2012.

CMP UpdateInternational Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) Beginning January 2012

Individuals who become certified in all international certification categories beginning Jan. 1, 2012, will be required to participate in the International Certifica-tion Maintenance Program (CMP). The ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) developed the Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) in 2004 to demonstrate to the public that U.S. laboratory professionals with this designation are performing activities to stay current in their profession. This program is being expanded to international certification (ASCPi) effective January 2012.

Individuals who complete international certification, beginning Jan. 1, 2012, will be required to participate in the International Certification Maintenance Program (CMP) to maintain their certification. They will receive a three year, time-limited certificate upon becoming cer-tified. The CMP must be completed every three years to maintain this certification. Upon successful completion of the program, certificants will receive a new certificate with valid dates for the next three years. The Interna-tional CMP Procedure booklet, with detailed informa-tion on this program is now available online.

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Linking up CM Expiration Dates for MultipleCategories – Effective April 1, 2012

I am MLS(ASCP)CMSBBCM. I was MLS(ASCP) certi-fied in March 2008 and I completed the CMP program in March 2011. My MLS certification will expire in March 2014. I became SBB(ASCP) certified in Octo-ber 2010. My SBB certification will expire in October 2013. Instead of having to remember and keep track of CMP points for two separate dates, can I have only one date to remember?

Now you can!

Two CMP expiration dates: SBB - October 2013 MLS - March 2014

Step 1. Choose the earliest date – this will be the date you will use in the future. Why the earliest date? You must complete all points within a three year period. If you chose March 2014, your SBB certification would expire before then.

Step 2. Complete the necessary points for both MLS and SBB before October 2013. (Remember you may use some of the same points for more than one certification category.)

Step 3. Submit declaration forms for both MLS and SBB before October 2013. (Pay $75 for the first one and $15 for the second form- a savings of $60.)

Step 4. Your certifications for both MLS and SBB will now expire in October 2016.

For further information on all the requirements for completing CMP, please refer to the CMP Procedure Booklet on the ASCP BOC web site. Detailed informa-tion on linking CMP expiration dates will be provided on the web site after January 2012.

International Presence at the ASCP Annual MeetingDuring the 2011 ASCP Annual Meeting/WASPaLM XXVI World Congress, advisory board members, lead ambassadors, and collaborating society representatives participated in an international roundtable dialogue. The roundtable provided an opportunity to exchange ideas on education and accessibility, collaborating so-cieties and ASCPi portability, the International Certi-

fication Maintenance Program (CMP), challenges and success models, and eligibility issues.

Additional international events at the ASCP Annual Meeting will be highlighted in the December edition of the International Certification Report.

Attendees of the International Ambassador Program Roundtable on Oct. 21, 2011 in Las Vegas

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Hows and Whys:Becoming a Specialist in Cyotechnology (SCT)

Q: Why did you decide to pursue SCT certification?

A: I decided to pursue SCT certification because I am a strong advocate that participating in continuing educa-tion is key. It is my responsibility as a laboratory profes-sional to always be proficient in the field and to be up-to- date on any new trends that are taking place within the laboratory and the field of cytology. This credential not only establishes me as a specialist in the field, but it shows that I am dedicated to the field and advancing within it. At the same time, I am able to take a leader-ship role within my organization, and share knowledge and opportunities with others. Q: Any advice for cytotechnologists preparing to take the SCT certification exam?

Kimberly Willis-Williams, MPH, SCT(ASCP)CM

Cytotechnology School: Auburn University Montgomery, 2007SCT(ASCP), 2011Currently working in a private laboratory in Gaithersburg, MD and working on her dissertation in Public Health Epidemiology (PhD)

Sandra Giroux, SCT(ASCP)CM

Cytotechnology Examination Committee Chair, 2010 - 2011

A: My advice for other CT’s is to take the exam! It is okay if you are afraid of failure, I was as well. However, to promote our field we must take that extra step and take challenges that are thrown to us. We cannot speak of change if we are not willing to take that step. Additionally, study the material. I found that pulling out my old cytology books, venturing onto the ASCP BOC website and reading articles prepared me for the examination. It is important and VERY ben-eficial to read what is going on in the medical field in general as well as the cytology field. Make this a part of your day. Something as simple as getting text mes-sages sent to your phone on health information or an email sent to you. This is an age of technology. We are always on the internet. There are multiple outlets out there for information. Another thing that is important to consider is molecular testing. Most cytotech’s are afraid of this new phenomenon. Don’t be! We should be well - rounded as laboratory professionals. After all, the patient is counting on us!

Q: How many Certificate Maintenance Program points can you earn by passing one of the ASCP BOC Specialty Examinations?

A: Each Specialty Exam is worth an impressive 25 CMP points! A great value given the fact that the CMP program requires 36 points for each three year cycle.

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Joe W. Walker, Jr., SCT(ASCP)CM

Cytotechnology School: University of TN-Memphis, 1998, SCT(ASCP), 2006Anatomical Pathology Manager Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland, Vermont

Q: Why did you decide to pursue SCT certification?

A: I decided to pursue my SCT for 3 reasons: one, to help me qualify to serve as a program director of a cy-totechnology program; two, to serve as a refresher of cy-tologic content areas and to learn new information that might help solidify my understanding of newer material and three, to force me to learn more about lab manage-ment in case I decided to pursue that career choice.

Q: How did you prepare for the SCT certification exam? Any advice?

A: I might be a special circumstance but I reviewed and updated my lectures based on several different books. I used Geisinger, Atkinson, and DeMay for cytology re-view, and Cibas and the Manual of Cytotechnology for

the lab management sections. I used Holladay’s review guide as a self test and bought the practice quizzes from the ASCP-BOC. The advice that I would give is to read more on the areas of motivation theories and CLIA ‘88 as it pertains to QA, QC and PT. Finally, I would prac-tice how to create a lab budget for bringing in new tests and calculating FTE’s for the lab.

Mission Possible

There is a famous story about President John F. Ken-nedy’s first visit to NASA’s headquarters back in 1961. While touring the facility, the President’s entourage came upon a man who was mopping the floor in one of the hallways. The President stopped to chat with the man and asked him what he did at NASA. The janitor addressed the young President by saying, “Sir, I’m help-ing to put a man on the moon!”

This story illustrates the power of seeing oneself as part of a team that has a defined mission and that every activity by individuals on the team matters. Because you have put in long hours, dedicating your time to completing a course of study and now demonstrating competency by successfully passing a gold standard certification examination, you are part of the ASCP BOC mission. We stated clearly and succinctly that

our mission is “Excellence in certification of laboratory professionals on behalf of patients worldwide”.

Wherever you work, when people ask you what you do the answer should be along the lines of “I heal people worldwide.” You do not only work in the laboratory, you are not just a technologist or phlebotomist. What you do every day matters and is meaningful and re-warding. These four letter words we use as qualifiers to describe what we do diminish our mission.

The team at NASA made a dream once thought impos-sible become a reality in July 1969. As you shoot, aim high and for the stars, the ASCP BOC is proud to be part of your success through the certification examina-tions. Buzz Lightyear’s catch phrase “To Infinity and Beyond” no longer seems out of reach!

Walter Oliveira, MLS(ASCP)CMSI

BOC Newsletter | Fall 20118

Cynthia Johns, MSA, MASCP, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM received the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) 2011 Distinguished Service Award at the Board of Governors Luncheon on Oct. 22, 2011 in Las Vegas, NV.

Ms. Johns has been a Board of Certification volunteer for 11 years, serving as a member of the BOG and on several BOC Committees. Elected to the BOG in 1999 as the AMS Representative, she served as the Board Liaison to the Joint Generalist Examination Commit-tee from 1999 to 2001 and was the Nomination Com-mittee Chair in 2001 and again from 2007 to 2009. In 2004 she was elected as the BOG Vice Chair until 2006 when she was elected BOG Chair for two years. Ms. Johns also served as the BOG Parliamentarian from 2001 to 2006 and again from 2008 to 2009. Dur-ing her consecutive terms on the Board, she served as Board Liaison for both the Phlebotomy Examination Committee from 2002 to 2004 and the Qualification Laboratory Information (QLI) from 2005 to 2009. As part of the BOG, she served on various Standing Com-mittees including the Policy and Procedure Committee from 2003 to 2005, the Finance Committee from 2002 to 2008, the Ad Hoc Committee on CMP, 2004–2005, and was the Long Range Planning Committee Chair from 2005 to 2007.

BOC Distinguished Service Award Recipient

After serving three terms on the BOG, Ms. Johns con-tinued to volunteer and served as Chair for the Glo-balization Committee from 2008 to 2010, and was the Chief International Liaison in 2010.

In 2010, she received ASCP Mastership designation for significant contributions to the field of pathology and laboratory medicine and to ASCP.

Five members of the Board of Certification staff were honored for their dedication and service to the ASCP at the Annual Staff Service Award Luncheon. The lun-cheon was held Sept. 9, 2011, at Smith and Wollensky’s in Chicago.

E. Blair Holladay, PhD, SCT(ASCP)CM and Patricia A. Tanabe, MPA, MLS(ASCP)CM were present, and each awardee was recognized by Ms. Tanabe for their dedica-tion and service to ASCP. The BOC recipients were as

BOC Staff Service Awardsfollows: Renee Allegrucci, MS, Manager of Certifica-tion Processing for 20 years; Melissa K. Meeks, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, Senior Manager of Examination Activi-ties for five years; Edith Miller, Project Manager for 15 years; and Julie Mueller, Senior Manager of Certifica-tion Activities for five years.

Ms. Tanabe, Executive Director of the ASCP Board of Certification was recognized by Dr. Holladay for five years of service.

Cynthia Johns, MSA, MASCP, MLS(ASCP)CMSHCM & Walter Oliveira, MLS(ASCP)CMSI

BOC Newsletter | Fall 20119

Board of Certification Governor Named ASCLS Member of the Year

Scott Aikey, MLS(ASCP)CMDLMCM, an American Soci-ety for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) represen-tative to the ASCP Board of Certification, was awarded the highest honor given at the ASCLS Annual Meeting in July 2011. Mr. Aikey is the 2011 recipient of the ASCLS Member of the Year award, for which he was nominated by ASCLS-Pennsylvania.

Mr. Aikey is employed by Children’s Hospital of Phila-delphia (CHOP), Philadelphia, as Director of Epic Acute Applications, Information Services. He holds a baccalaureate degree in Medical Technology and a mas-ter’s degree in Health Services Administration.

Mr. Aikey served on the ASCLS Board of Directors for nine years, including holding the office of ASCLS President from 2008 to 2009. He has served on numer-

ous committees at the local, state, regional, and national levels of ASCLS with emphasis on meeting planning, finance, and leadership development. He has received many other past awards as well.

Mr. Aikey served the National Credentialing Agency (NCA) for many years as part of the Exam Commit-tee for the Supervisor Examination and served on the Merger Task Force that negotiated the merger of NCA with the ASCP Board of Registry to form the Board of Certification.

Recently he has led People to People trips to study labo-ratory science in Egypt and South Africa.

Congratulations to Mr. Aikey on this well-deserved honor!

ASCP Donation of Textbooks EnhancesTeaching Abilities in Rwanda

Karen A. Brown, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM and Melissa K. Meeks, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM left a lasting legacy from ASCP in Rwanda. Over seven days in May 2011, they taught 20 trainers who will pass along the new knowl-edge to other laboratory professionals. And the ASCP representatives left resources that will be remembered and reach even more people: textbooks on topics as wide-ranging as phlebotomy, tumors of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues, clinical chemistry, histotechnol-ogy, urinalysis and body fluids, human parasitology, clinical laboratory hematology, and blood banking.

When Ms. Brown and Ms. Meeks toted 17 textbooks in their suitcases to Gisenyi, Rwanda, they knew labo-ratory professionals there would be appreciative. Still they were surprised at the impact the textbooks would have for laboratory professionals in the library at the Kigali Health Institute, Kigali, Rwanda.

“May I, on behalf of the Biomedical Laboratory Sciences-Kigali Health Institute, convey a warm word of thanks to the two persons who have greatly en-

hanced our teaching abilities through these donations,” wrote Lawrence Obado Osuwat, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Kigali Health Institute (KHI) on June 10 to the Director of the Library at KHI.

“I know these textbooks will be used; they are precious in Rwanda,” said Ms. Brown, Program Director—Medi-cal Laboratory Science, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City. “We take so much for granted in the United States. In Rwanda, it’s hard to find these textbooks and even tougher to find the resources to buy them.”

Since pathologists are very scarce in Rwanda, clinicians often rely on laboratory professionals to make the right diagnoses for their patients, according to Ms. Meeks, Manager, Examination Activities at the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC).

A long-time instructor, Ms. Brown taught hematology as did Ms. Meeks. A recent graduate with a master’s degree

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in molecular biology, Ms. Meeks taught hematology. The two laboratory professionals took turns giving the lectures to the class in the morning. They partnered with Mr. Osuwat during the laboratory activities in the afternoon, so they could all help the students with the hands-on activities.

“It’s great to be out in the world and in the laboratory, helping people deliver better patient care,” Ms. Meeks said.

Ms. Brown concurred and added, “I can see the changes we’re making and the impact we have when we’re there. Recently, one student sent me an email to say that what he learned from us is already being used in the labora-tory. It’s rewarding to know that I am improving patient care in other countries.”

Over the years, the ASCP BOC has regularly sent textbooks to countries in Africa. Traditionally, the books have been shipped. Ms. Brown and Ms. Meeks took the initiative to hand carry them into Rwanda.

Walter Oliveira, MLS(ASCP)CMSI –ChairW. Rae Rader, MPA, PA(ASCP)CM – Vice Chair

Susan L. Wilkinson, EdD, MT(ASCP)SBBCM – Secretary Marsha C. Kinney, MD, FASCP – Financial Officer

Karen A. Brown, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM – Member-At-LargeKathleen Hansen, MLS(ASCP)CM – ASCLS Representative

Helen Bixenman, MBA/HCM, CHC, CG(ASCP)CMDLMCM,QLC – AGT RepresentativeSusan M. Harrington, PhD, MT(ASCP), D(ABMM)– Participating Society Representative

Scott E. Aikey, MLS(ASCP)CMDLMCM

Susan Beck, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM BBCM

David Chhieng, MD, FASCPKay M. Doyle, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM

Patty J. Eschliman, MLS(ASCP)CM

Amy Groszbach, MEd, MLT(ASCP)MBCM

Lee H. Hilborne, MD, FASCP, MPH, DLM(ASCP)CM Deanna K. Iverson, MHS, MLT(ASCP)SCT, HTL

Perthena A. Latchaw, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM

Timothy G. Miley, MD, FASCPRoss J. Molinaro, PhD, MT(ASCP)Susan Morris, MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM

Mary-Elizabeth O’BrienLena Spencer, MA, HTL(ASCP)QIHC

Sui Zee, MD, FASCP

2011-2012 BOC Board of Governors

BOC Newsletter | Fall 201111

Amy R. Groszbach, MEd, MLT(ASCP)MBCM

Amy R. Groszbach is an Education Specialist II in the Molecular Genetics Laboratory and Program Direc-tor for the Molecular Genetics Technology Internship Program at Mayo School of Health Science at the Mayo Clinic. She teaches and trains Clinical Laboratory Sci-ence students, Diagnostic Genetics students, Molecu-lar Pathology students, and Pathology Residents and Fellows from any of the eight Fellowship programs and trains new clinical technologists in the 14-week training program.

Ms. Groszbach graduated from the University of Min-nesota with a degree in Biochemistry and received her Master of Education, Adult Education degree from the University of Minnesota. She has served on the ASCP Board of Certification Molecular Biology Examination Committee.

New Members of the BOC Board of Governors

She was on the National Credentialing Agency (NCA) Molecular Biology exam committee and is has been involved in educational presentations at the Association of Molecular Pathology (AMP) and the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP). She has served as AGT Annual Meeting Co-Chair, Chair, and Board President. Ms. Groszbach is currently the AGT Representative to the BOC Board of Governors.

Deanna K. Iverson, MHS, MLT(ASCP)SCT,HTL

Deanna K Iverson is a Cytotechnologist at the Pen-nisula Pathologists Medical Group in California, and Survey Team leader for ASCT Services, Inc. She re-ceived her bachelors degree in BS/Cytotechnology from the University of North Dakota and earned her masters in Health Sciences at San Francisco State University.

Ms. Iverson has been President at both the California Association of Cytotechnologists and the American Society for Cytotechnology (ASC).

In 1999 she was honored as recipient of the ASCT Marion and Nelson Holmquist Cytotechnologist Achievement Award. Ms. Iverson was also appointed by the Governor of California to serve two three year terms on the California Clinical Laboratory Advisory

Committee and had a one-time appointment by the DHHS Center for Medicare and Medicaid’s to the CLIAC Cytology Proficiency Testing Workgroup.

Active in ASCP Board of Certification activities, she served on the Cytology Examination Committee from 2003-2010. She will serve as the ASC Representative to the BOC Board of Governors.

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Ross J. Molinaro, PhD, MT(ASCP), DABCC, FACB Ross Molinaro is an Assistant Professor of Pathology in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medi-cine at Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia. He also serves as Medical Director of the Core Laboratories at Emory University Hospital Midtown and Co-Director of Emory’s Clinical Translational Re-search Laboratory.

Dr. Molinaro is a certified Medical Technologist by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, board certified in Clinical Chemistry by the American Board of Clini-cal Chemistry, and a Fellow of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemisty.

Dr. Molinaro supports the Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine profession by serving as Chair of the Southeast Section of AACC, a committee member of AACC’s Society for Young Clinical Laboratorians, Executive Editor of ASCP’s LabQ program, as well as

Lena Spencer, MA, HTL(ASCP)QIHC

Lena Spencer is a Senior Histotechnologist at Norton Healthcare in Kentucky. A graduate of the University of Louisville, she received her masters in Health Services Management and did her Histotechnology training at West Virginia University Medical Center.

A strong advocate of education and continuous quality assessment, she has served in leadership including Presi-dent and Regional Director on the Board of Directors for the National Society for Histotechnology (NSH) and has been actively involved in Kentucky Society for Histotechnology (KSH) leadership since 1995. Ms. Spencer served on the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Surgical Pathology/Histotechnology Committee for seven years and served on the Health Professionals Network Board of Directors where she is currently the NSH Representative.

An active participant in ASCP Board of Certification activities, she served as the Vice Chair on the Histo-technology Examination Committee and as an ASCP Grader for the HT Exam. Ms. Spencer is currently the NSH Representative to the BOC Board of Governors.

other national committees. He is also an active member of the Academy of Clinical Laboratory Physicians and Scientists.

His research interests include the translational realm of diabetes, coagulation, and mass spectrometry.

BOC Newsletter | Fall 201113

American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA)2012 Spring MeetingSan Diego, CAApril 4-6, 2012

38th Annual Continuing Education ConferenceMiami Beach, FL September 8-14, 2012

Professional Partners Meeting& Scholarship Opportunities

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)2012 Clinical Laboratory Educator’s Conference (CLEC)Salt Lake City, UTFebruary 23-25, 2012

2012 Annual MeetingLos Angeles, CAJuly 17-21, 2012Deadline for abstract and poster submission is April 1, 2012.

ASCLS Scholarships

American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)2012 ASCP Annual MeetingBoston, MAOctober 31- November 3, 2012Deadline for new educational proposals is December 16, 2011.

ASCP Scholarships

Association of Genetic Technologists (AGT)AGT 37th Annual MeetingAtlanta, GAJune 7-9, 2012Deadline for abstract submission is February 11, 2012.Student Research Award deadline is March 5, 2012.

BOC Newsletter | Fall 201114

Staff Spotlight Colleen Breen

If you’ve had the pleasure of serving on an Examination Committee this past year and meeting at the Chicago ASCP offices, than you may have very well been the recipient of BOC hospitality arranged by Examina-tion Committee Assistant, Colleen Breen. Colleen has worked at the ASCP for a year and a half starting as the ASCP receptionist and later accepting a position in the Board of Certification. She currently handles verifica-tions of certifications, certificate orders, name changes, and assist with exam activities.

Born in Kodiak, Alaska, Colleen has visited or lived in 15 different countries but has spent most of her life in the Chicago suburbs. She studied at the University of Illinois at Champaign Urbana where she studied Physiology and Psychology. As a student she worked as a Lab coordinator for a Physiology course in college where she shared “I had to transport the rats, resulting in frequently being bitten. One day I walked into the research building’s restricted area, there was a steel door

that had “Gigantic Rabbits” written on it. I never found out if it was true”.

When not at work, Colleen spends most her time per-forming. She is very involved in improv, sketch shows, and standup comedy.

When asked about working for the BOC, Colleen notes “There’s always great food being offered. You don’t have to eat it every time. However, I have never succeeded at this. Treats!”

BOC Newsletter | Fall 201115

EDITOR:Patricia Tanabe, MPA, MLS(ASCP)CM

MANAGING EDITOR AND PRODUCTION COORDINATOR:Robin Lewis, PBT(ASCP)

CHAIR-BOC:Walter Oliveira, MLS(ASCP)CMSI

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE:Susan L. Wilkinson, EdD, MT(ASCP)SBBCM - ChairSusan J. Beck, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CMBBCM

Perthena A. Latchaw, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM

Susan E. Morris, MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM

Sui Zee, MD, FASCP

LAYOUT AND FORMATTING:Bernie Olson

PROFESSIONAL PARTNERS

AABB (formerly American Association of Blood Banks)AACC (formerly American Association for Clinical Chemistry)American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA)American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)American Society of Cytopathology (ASC)American Society of Hematology (ASH)American College of Microbiology (ACM)Association of Genetic Technologists (AGT)Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA)National Society for Histotechnology (NSH)

EXAMTYPE

FIRSTYEAR

CERTI-FIED MEAN

STAN-DARDDEVIA-TION

RANGEOF

SCORES

TOTAL #

TAK-ING

EXAMTOTAL

PASSTOTAL

FAIL

1ST TIMECAAHEP/NAACLS

PASSTOTAL

CERTIFIED

MLS 1931 487 106 162 978 1,742 1391 80% 351 20% 1169 88% 238,912

MLT 1969 482 121 139 876 1,307 955 73% 352 27% 822 80% 79,625

CG 2009 - - - - 111 73 66% 38 34% 11 92% 3,186

HT 1948 457 135 147 786 315 202 64% 113 36% 124 71% 22,099

HTL 1980 430 118 100 681 125 74 59% 51 41% 15 65% 3,032

CT 1957 501 101 308 708 36 30 83% 6 17% 26 87% 15,224

SCT 1959 469 70 382 582 6 5 83% 1 17% 609

C 1948 433 106 222 735 72 41 57% 31 43% 4,710

SC 1954 418 134 296 685 8 4 50% 4 50% 1,721

H 1971 435 130 100 683 61 37 61% 24 39% 3,301

SH 1968 387 102 208 584 18 8 44% 10 56% 2,603

M 1948 436 98 200 692 66 46 70% 20 30% 5,457

SM 1953 443 103 265 630 21 14 67% 7 33% 3,070

BB 1983 409 83 196 603 57 31 54% 26 46% 2,954

SBB 1954 449 128 197 762 74 43 58% 31 42% 28 80% 5,230

PBT 1989 520 118 155 997 1,586 1348 85% 238 15% 806 83% 42,443

DLM 1989 305 101 100 426 18 3 17% 15 83% 961

DPT 2003 551 162 455 999 10 10 100% 0 0% 131

MB 2003 457 156 100 999 136 94 69% 42 31% 22 67% 1,624

PA 2005 650 208 254 999 64 59 92% 5 8% 52 96% 1,505

SLS 2000 413 85 295 553 12 7 58% 5 42% 215

TOTAL 5,845 4475 77% 1,370 23% 463,918*

ASCP BOARD OF CERTIFICATIONExamination Statistics for January - June 2011

*Includes CLA, NM, I, SI, SV, AT, HP, and certifications transferred from NCA.

BOC Newsletter | Fall 201116

Visit the new ASCP Board of Certification Website!http://www.ascp.org/Board-of-Certification

Includes: Special area for Program Directors and

Links to the ASCP BOC’s Professional Partners

ASCP Board of Certification33 W. Monroe St.Suite 1600Chicago, IL. 60603-5617