53nd Annual Meeting
Albany, New York
The Blood Banks Association of New York State hosted its 53rd Annual Meeting on June 9 - 11, 2004 at The Desmond Hotel and Conference Center in Albany, NY. Co-sponsored by the New York State Department of Health, the meeting was considered to be a success at all levels by the speakers, vendors, and attendees. Many people, including several who travel frequently, commented on the unique atmosphere of The Desmond and the hospitality and professionalism of their staff.
On Wednesday, June 9th, the American Association of Blood Banks offered its Assessor Training to those with a desire to conduct assessments on their behalf and those interested in familiarizing themselves with the inspection process. More than a dozen people completed the full-day session. The instructor, Holly Rapp, MT(ASCP)SBB, CQA (ASQ)CQMgr also participated as a faculty member of the Quality Program on Thursday afternoon.
The 2004 Annual Meeting Planning Committee organized three tracks that ran simultaneously on Thursday and on Friday. High-caliber speakers of national and international renown gave presentations. On Thursday morning, speakers participating in the Scientific Session included Mark Brecher, MD (Bacterial Contamination and Detection); Edward Snyder, MD (Financing Advances in Transfusion Medicine: The High Cost of Health Care in an Academic Medical Center); and Robert Dracker, MD (There Is Much More To Do With the Umbilical Cord Than Cut It: Recent Advances in Cellular Therapy). A Nursing Track was offered for the first time in many years and included the following speakers: Jo Ann Janas, MD (Red Blood Cells, Platelets, and Plasma: A Primer); George Wilner, MD (Transfusion Reactions: Evaluation and Management); Jeanne Linden, MD, MPH (Detecting and Preventing Transfusion-related Errors); and Patricia Johns, MPA, RN (Getting to the Root of the Problem). Teresa Harris, MT(ASCP)SBB presented "Clues for Blood Bank Detectives at Mid-Sized Hospitals: Working With Challenging Specimens Using Available Resources", a serology workshop sponsored by the American Red Cross Blood Services New York - Penn Region. On Thursday afternoon, speakers participating in the Scientific Session/Nursing Track included Roger Dodd, PhD (Update on Transfusion-transmissible Diseases); Edward Snyder, MD (Transfusion-related Acute Lung Injury [TRALI]: The Essentials); Robert Reiss, MD (Managing Bleeding Complications in the Surgical and Obstetrical Settings); and Richard Spence, MD (New Approaches to Minimizing Blood Loss in the Surgical Setting). The Quality Program included presentations given by Lucia Berte, MA, MT(ASCP)SBB, DLM, CQA(ASQ)CQMgr (A Model for Total Process Control in the Blood Bank and Training and Competence Assessment); James AuBuchon, MD (Somnolence Antidotes for Transfusion Committee Meetings); and Holly Rapp, MT(ASCP)SBB, CQA(ASQ)CQMgr (Best Practices to Prepare for External Audits). Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics sponsored four of their speakers, including Katherine Davis, MS, MT(ASCP)SBB; Tony Casina, MT(ASCP)SBB; John Moulds, MT(ASCP)SBB; and Paula Pattison, MBA, MT(ASCP)SBB for a workshop entitled "When Your Results Have Entered the Twilight Zone". At the Scientific Session on Friday morning, staff from the New York Blood Center gave a refresher course for those involved in blood collection. Attendance at the session fulfilled partial requirements for renewal of a Certificate of Qualification issued by the New York State Department of Health. Presenters included Jessica Jacobson, MD (Donor Selection Criteria); Debra Kessler, MS, RN (Donor and Recipient Notification and Counseling); Jay Valinsky, PhD (Blood Donor Screening: Serology, Molecular Diagnostics, and the Future); and Richard Davey, MD (Emerging Issues). A Donor Recruitment Session was co-sponsored by the Association of Donor Recruitment Professionals (ADRP) and featured Rolf Kovenetsky (Reaching Out to Minorities); John Armitage, MD (Searching for Haystacks and Needles: Meeting Hospital Blood Needs); and P J Vankoughnett-Olson (Donors for Life: Maximizing Donor Frequency and Increasing Collections). Marilyn Moulds, MT(ASCP)SBB spoke about "Resolving Serologic Problems That 'Go Bump in the Night'" at a workshop sponsored by Immucor/Gamma, Inc.
Twenty-three vendors were onsite to provide attendees with pertinent information regarding recent technological advances and services relating to blood collection and transfusion medicine. Attendees filled the Exhibit Hall during the registration periods, the morning and afternoon breaks, and following lunch on Thursday. Vendors gave private demonstrations to prospective customers following the reception on Thursday evening. Meeting attendees received a raffle ticket for each booth that they visited. Drawings were held periodically during lunch, the afternoon break, the reception on Thursday, and the morning break on Friday. Winners and raffle prize contributors included: Guiana Astadan from Northeast Health - Samaritan Hospital (basket of Godiva Chocolates donated by Haemonetics), Mua Bitancor from Northeast Health - Samaritan Hospital (palm pad donated by Gambro, BCT), Kay Cordiale (gift basket of lotions donated by Ortho-Clinical Diagnostics), Trivia Dillon from Coney Island Hospital (palm pilot donated by Korchek Technologies), Cindy Garabedian from NYSDOH (digital camera donated by Olympus), Julie Leskovec from Glens Falls Hospital (coffee mug and American Express gift card donated by Miller-Keystone Blood Center), and Kevin Pelletier from Consulting Specialties (bath and body works gift bag donated by Immucor). Recipients of raffle prizes provided by the Blood Banks Association of New York State included: Guiana Astadan from Northeast Health - Samaritan Hospital (Barnes and Noble gift certificate), Kay Boettcher from Albany Medical Center (JC Penney gift certificate), Diane Dermody from Laboratory Alliance of Central New York (Barnes and Noble gift certificate), Judy Gommel from Rochester General Hospital (JC Penney gift certificate), Tanya Hamilton from Hudson Valley Blood Services (barbecue set), Ann Murdock from Good Samaritan Hospital (emergency roadside set), Teri O'Brien from NYBC (chip and dip bowl), and Jean Wright from Ellenville Hospital (block of knifes).
Once again, The Desmond maintained its fine reputation for outstanding food. The hotel's chefs prepared two delicious lunch entrees on Thursday - Chicken Mediterranean and Penne Primavera. The annual business meeting was held during the luncheon. Reports were given by the Chairpersons of the Education, Strategic Planning and Policy, Membership/Nominations, Newsletter/Website and Finance Committees. Engraved plaques with the BBANYS logo were awarded to board members Joanne Becker, MD; Carla Chamberlain, MT(ASCP)SBB; Joseph Chiofolo, DO; Jack DeVirgilio, BB(ASCP); and Debra Masel, MT(ASCP)SBB in recognition of three years of service to the organization. George Wilner, MD, Medical Director of the Albany Medical Center Hospital Clinical Laboratories, was unanimously elected to the Board of Directors for a three-year term.
Thursday's activities concluded with a courtyard reception complete with butler-passed hors d'oeuvres and background music provided by Thomas Brownell. Each attendee received a complimentary drink ticket. It was a great opportunity for attendees, speakers, vendors, and friends to interact with one another. Acquaintances were renewed, partnerships were forged, and information shared between vendors and customers in a relaxed, colonial atmosphere.
The 2004 Annual Meeting Planning Committee would like to encourage you to review the list of exhibitors and vendors posted in the newsletter and remember them when making purchasing decisions regarding products, equipment, and services. These companies have made a concerted effort to support our statewide organization by their presence at our annual meetings and their financial contributions. Their support allows us to continue offering educational symposiums with high-caliber speakers. In turn, they appreciate your support.
Speaking of the annual meeting, now would be a good time to mark your calendar with the dates of next year's annual meeting. The 54th Annual Meeting will be held on May 19 - 20, 2005 at The Turning Stone Casino Resort in Verona, NY (Exit 33, NYS Thruway). This is a very different venue for our meeting with many opportunities for on-site entertainment. Hope to see you next year!