CENTRAL NEW YORK CHAPTER

CLINICAL LABORATORY MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION

		Volume 21, No. 3 September 2004
	CNY-CLMA newsletter is published quarterly as an educational service for all members and members are encouraged to submit articles for publication. We also appreciate suggestions on topics of interest to our members. Articles and other suggestions should be sent to Jim Parsons as follows: Jim Parsons Clinical Laboratory Solutions PO Box 3717 Albany, NY 12203 E-Mail: jparsons@nycap.rr.com		President's Message The Farmer’s Almanac bases its predictions for the winter on the belief that sunspots, which are magnetic storms on the surface of the Sun, influence the weather on Earth. Their weather forecasts are determined by the use of a secret formula (devised in 1792 by the founder of the Almanac, Robert B. Thomas), enhanced by the most modern scientific calculations based on solar activity, particularly sunspot cycles.[1] As I predict what the coming months will bring for CNY CLMA, I would rather base it on “star activity”. The “stars” I’m referring to are the individuals that serve this organization in leadership roles. Over this last year, as president of this chapter, I have felt so fortunate to work with such an impressive team of professionals. The results have been astounding. Carol Barnett, in her role as Education Committee Chair, has led her committee to produce education programs that have increased the attendance at Quarterly meetings over 300%. In addition the CNY CLMA/AACC Annual Conference and Exhibition, to be held October 14^th and 15^th at the Turning Stone Casino Resort, promises to be an extraordinary experience filled with opportunities to increase your knowledge, meet with our industry partners, and network with your colleagues. Patty Wassall enthusiastically chaired an Ad Hoc Committee challenged to provide a social and networking opportunity for members. The result, a dinner cruise on Skaneateles Lake, was a great success. Members and their guests enjoyed a lovely evening (I’m pretty sure Patty asked me to be in charge of the weather) after a long week in the salt mines. The last person I want to showcase in this message is Jim Parsons. Jim has diligently prepared this newsletter, quarter after quarter, and remains one of the unsung heroes of our chapter … until now. I would like to acknowledge the great job that Jim has done keeping us informed. I have to share that it is no easy task to get me to meet my deadline! I also want to add that the future, according to our “stars” remains very bright. I want to announce that, as a result of the recent election, I am happy to welcome Carol Barnett, Tom Filiak and Rita Romano back as Directors of the Executive Board. In addition, Tony Marra will be joining the Board filling the position left vacant by John Walter’s resignation. These individuals, chosen by the membership, were part of the largest slate of [1] The Farmers Almanac Website: http://www.almanac.com/weather/index.php , accessed September 16, 2004.

candidates I remember in some time. I am so pleased to see the level of participation in this chapter growing!

Thanks for making my first year as President a bright one!

Sue Graham

Annual Meeting October 14 and 15

The Clinical Laboratory Management Association of Central New York and the American Association for Clinical Chemistry Upstate NY Section present their 2^nd Annual Joint Meeting on October 14 & 15, 2004 at the Turning Stone Casino Resort in Verona, NY. The theme for this year's conference is "Discovering the New World of Laboratory Medicine".

The Vendor Exhibition will feature about 40 vendors and this year's schedule provides for extended periods of time for attendees to work the show and maximize their information gathering and networking opportunities.

Conference speakers will cover a wide range of current and cutting edge issues of interest to laboratory professionals. Presentations include:

"Clinical Chemistry - One Man's View of the Future of Our Practice"

Thomas Moyer, PhD AACC President and Chairman of the Division of Clinical Biochemistry and Immunology, Mayo Clinic

"Cardiovascular Disease - Science and Cardiac Marker Guidelines"

Fred Apple, PhD Medical Director of Clinical Laboratories, Hennepin County Medical Center

"Cardiovascular Disease - A 21^st Century Roadmap to Lipid Panels"

Allen Sniderman, MD, FRCPC Professor of Medicine, McGill University

"Around the Worked in a Bad Mood: Confessions of a Flight Attendant"

Rene Foss Flight Attendant, Author, Actress

"Laboratory Compliance: 2005 Coding and Billing Update"

Joan Logue Partner, Health Systems Concepts, Inc.

AACC Banquet After Dinner Speaker: Fred Apple

"Alcohol and the Role of the Laboratory in Forensic Cases"

"New York State Update"

Betty Kusel Director of Regulatory Affairs, New York State Department of Health

"Lipoprotein(a) - Bridging Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Cancer"

Gyorgy Csako, MD Senior Scientist and Assistant Chief of the Clinical Chemistry Service, NIH

"Preanalytical Issues in Daily Practice"

Donald S. Young, MD, PhD Vice-Chair for Laboratory Medicine and Professor, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

"Use of a Marker Discovery Process to Identify a Diagnostic Panel of Stroke Biomarkers"

Howard Kirchick, PhD Director of Clinical Laboratory Affairs, Biosite, Inc.

Conference brochures and registration materials will be mailed around September 10^th. Hotel reservations at the Turning Stone must be made by September 21^st to take advantage of the contract rate of $99 per night. The conference registration deadline is October 1, 2004.

Questions regarding the conference should be directed to Carol Barnett at (315)464-3281 or barnettc@upstate.edu.

CLMA CaseLab Program - Registration Now Open!

As part of Dade Behring's ongoing effort to support educational opportunities for laboratory personnel, we are proud to announce our partnership with the CLMA in the November 5-6 CaseLab program. Whether you are a seasoned clinical laboratory manager or new to your role, you see the potential of your laboratory to help heal your patients while providing a rewarding career for your staff. Using a set of case studies and exercises, through CaseLab you will develop your business savvy so that your next capital request will result in a "Yes!". This two-day program will consist of:

Day 1: Friday, November 5 - Justifying a Major Capital Purchase

Day 2: Saturday, November 6 - Owning Your Capital Plan

Space is extremely limited to ensure low instructor to student rations, so register today to reserve your spot!

Go to the Conference/Education section of www.clma.org to register online or to download a registration form. Hotel accommodation information is also available on this site.

Licensure Bill Still Awaiting Governor’s Signature

At press time the Clinical Laboratory Technology Practice Act has yet to be signed into law by the Governor. Highlights of this bill include:

• Personnel requirements remain essentially the same as current NYS requirements;
• Technologists and cytotechnologists must be licensed; Technicians must be certified;
• Testing personnel working in physician office laboratories are exempt from the licensure/certification requirements;
• “Grandfather” clause will allow those who are currently working as technologists/cytotechnologists to automatically qualify, and;
• Technicians must have an AAS in MLT or have been working as a technician for 5 years to qualify under the “grandfather” clause.

Future Chapter Meetings

Thursday and Friday, October 14 & 15: Annual Meeting with AACC Upstate NY Chapter at Turning Stone Casino Resort (see page 2)

Friday, December 3 at the Quality Inn, North Syracuse.

Compliance Officer Training Academy

There are 2 more sessions left in the Compliance Officer Training Academy adioconference series.

• October 5: "Administering the Compliance Program"
• November 9: "Ask the Experts: Q&A Panel"

These sessions are provided at no cost to CLMA members. For more information, call Carol Barnett at 315-464-3281.

2003 - 2004 Board of Directors

Name Office Term Work Phone E-mail address

Sue Graham President 03 – 05 315-464-5334 grahams@upstate.edu

Sunanda Sanyal Vice Pres. 03 - 05 315-338-7106 ssanyal@romehosp.org

Kathy Inglis Secretary 03 - 05 315-798-8439 kinglis@stemc.org

Rick DeFrancisco Treasurer 03 - 05 315-656-7352 rjd34@cornell.edu

Paul Engineri Past Pres. 03 - 05 315-461-3078 pengineri@lacny.com

Rita Romano Director 02 - 04 315-452-2022 romanor@labcorp.com

Carol Barnett Director 02 - 04 315-464-3281 barnettc@upstate.edu

Tom Filiak Director 02 - 04 315-255-7053 tfiliak@dreamscape.com

Mary Ferguson Director 03 - 05 315-488-3573 mary_ferguson@dadebehring.com

Sophia Lustrinelli Director 03 – 05 315-464-6842 lustrins@upstate.edu

Anthony J. Marra Director 04 - 05 315-782-3632 amarra@shsny.com

Committee Contacts

Committee Name Phone E-Mail

Education Committee Carol Barnett 315-464-3281 barnettc@upstate.edu

Bylaws / Nominations Tony Kurec 315-464-7139 kureca@upstate.edu

Legislative Committee Jim Parsons 518-441-2798 jparsons@nycap.rr.com

Fund Raising Mary Ferguson 315-488-3573 mary_ferguson@dadebehring.com

Membership Rita Romano 315-452-2022 romanor@labcorp.com

Newsletter Jim Parsons 518-441-2798 jparsons@nycap.rr.com

Clinical Laboratory

Management Association

P.O. Box 35833

Syracuse, New York 13235