Cutting-Edge Concept Culminates in NC Clinical Lab Tech Day

By Lisa O. Ballance, BSMT (ASCP)
Laboratory Improvement Consultant

On August 5, the North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health proudly introduced a cutting-edge concept in the delivery of high quality, clinical laboratory continuing education. North Carolina Clinical Lab Tech Day, a one-day educational conference targeted to a broad spectrum of healthcare professionals, phlebotomists, educators, and students, was hosted on the campus of Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh. This inaugural event, which was the creation of the Laboratory Improvement Unit of the State Laboratory of Public Health in the Division of Public Health, received national pre- and post-event exposure through Medical Laboratory Observer, a professional laboratory magazine with a readership of more than 49,000, as well as from its co-sponsorship with the National Laboratory Training Network.

This educational forum drew attendees from five states, including representatives from both public health and private sector healthcare facilities as well as multiple educational institutions and organizations. Welcoming this year’s attendees were Dr. Leslie A. Wolf, acting director of the State Laboratory of Public Health, and Dr. Stephen C. Scott, Wake Technical Community College President.

With approximately 250 participants and exhibitors in attendance, this conference featured four presentations, including two sessions by internationally acclaimed phlebotomy expert and author, Dennis J. Ernst, MT (ASCP).

Complimenting the phlebotomy theme of this year’s conference were safety presentations by William Patrakis, RS, MA, from the North Carolina Division of Waste Management and Steven Preissler, MS, North Carolina Department of Labor’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health.

In addition to dynamic educational sessions by knowledgeable speakers, this conference also featured a variety of vendor and educational exhibits. During the course of the day, participants visited the 16 display areas to interact with exhibitors and evaluate their products and services.

The day’s events concluded with door prize drawings made possible by the generous support of the event’s 19 sponsors and exhibitors. With more than 50 items awarded, recipients took away an abundance of prizes and educational materials.

Next story

Last Modified: September 1, 2005