2022 Annual Meeting Program

Sunday, July 17

Board of Directors Meeting | 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Council Meeting | 6:00-10:00 PM

Day 1 | Monday, July 18

Opening Ceremony | 8:30-9:00 AM
Celebrate the unique and time-honored tradition of the Opening Ceremony at the AMT Annual Meeting. This session brings everyone together to celebrate our allied health professional community and to kick off the AMT Annual Meeting. You'll be welcomed by AMT President Chris Seay, MT, followed by the invocation, and then introduction of the Keynote Speaker.

Keynote | 9:00-9:50 AM

2201 Leadership is a Journey
David Dexter, President and CEO at Sonora Quest Laboratories
1.0 CE Hour

AMT's 2022 Keynote speaker, David Dexter, will take attendees on a leadership journey including experiences and key attributes he has learned the past 23 years as a successful CEO. He'll also share a roadmap with proven keys to business success.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Identify the skill sets that drives culture and results.
• Discuss why leaders should aspire to 'Higher Ambition Leadership.'
• Describe why diversity and inclusion are important for success.

About David Dexter:
David Dexter is the General Manager, Joint Ventures, for the Quest Diagnostics Operations in Arizona, serving as President and CEO for Sonora Quest Laboratories, LLC, a joint venture between Quest Diagnostics (a Fortune 500 company) and Banner Health. He is also President/CEO for Laboratory Sciences of Arizona, LLC, which provides management oversight and strategic direction for hospital, rapid response, and commercial laboratories that support Banner Health Hospitals, Academic Medical Centers and Cancer Centers across the state of Arizona and five western states (California, Colorado, Nebraska, Nevada, and Wyoming). Together, Sonora Quest Laboratories and Laboratory Sciences of Arizona make up one of the largest integrated laboratory networks in the nation, with more than 3,500 employees serving the entire continuum of healthcare.

As CEO, Dexter leads an executive leadership team focused on Sonora Quest Laboratories' vision to be recognized as the trusted leader in diagnostic testing and information service. Under his leadership, Sonora Quest Laboratories has supported the needs of the entire healthcare community by serving as the market share leader in clinical laboratory testing in Arizona, performing more than 97 million diagnostic tests per year.

Dexter has more than 25 years of leadership experience. As a Certified Six Sigma Green Belt and an active member of the community he is also the recipient of several industry and corporate leadership awards:

• 2022 'Most Admired Leader' by Phoenix Business Journal
• 2021 'Top 5 Bioscience AZ Business Leaders' by AZ Big Media
• 2020 'Top 3 Technology Leaders in Arizona' by Arizona Capitol Times
• 2019 '10 Most Transformational Leaders in Business' by Beyond Exclamation
• 2019 'AZ Business Leaders' by AZ Big Media

Outside of Sonora Quest Laboratories, Dexter serves on the Board and the Executive Committee of Contexture (the Arizona and Colorado Health Information Exchange), the National Leadership Council for the Executives for Health Innovation, the Board of Directors and Healthcare Committee Member for the Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Board of Directors of the Arizona Bioindustry Association, as a Board Member and Health Committee Member of the Greater Phoenix Leadership, and on the Flynn Foundation's 2021 Arizona Bioscience Roadmap Council. Dexter is also a member of the American Cancer Society's CEOs Against Cancer, and the JDRF Board of Chancellors.

Breakout Sessions | 10:30-11:30 AM

2202 Applying Ethical Reasoning in the Laboratory Setting
Beth Warning, MLS, AHI
Laboratory Track | 1.0 CE Hour

Each day laboratorians are faced with ethical challenges. In this review of healthcare ethic principles, examples will be shared, and conversations held regarding ethical decision making in the lab setting.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Review basic tenets of ethics.
• Discuss decision making practices in the lab.
• Share examples of specific ethical situations related to the laboratory.

2203 Burnout: What It Is, How to Identify It, How to Avoid It, and How to Prevent It
Anna Jannak, RN, APN, MSN, FNP-C
Medical Assisting Track | 1.0 CE Hour

Burnout is common among those who work in healthcare. Burnout is a state of exhaustion accompanied by feelings of despondency or loss of identity. It does not just affect our emotional and physical health; when we suffer burnout, our patients, our colleagues, and our loved ones also suffer. This program will help you identify burnout and learn techniques for avoiding it and preventing it.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Identify the signs and symptoms that can indicate burnout.
• Discuss risk factors and how burnout effects patients, our colleagues, and our loved ones.
• Utilize techniques for identifying and preventing burnout.

2204 Phlebotomy Safety Standardization for Best Practices
Terri Sterling, Lani Dudoit, Tara Barnes, and Angelina Cisneros
Phlebotomy Track | 1.0 CE Hour

Best practices navigating through a pandemic utilizing Positive Patient Identification (PPID), New Employee Orientation (NEO), and SWAT Phlebotomy Team.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Recognize best practices around safety.
• Identify areas of improvement within the workplace.

2205 "Say What?" Making Your Workplace a Space for Effective Active Listening
Carmela Head, MHR, BA, Certified DISC Consultant
Leadership and Professional Development Track | 1.0 CE Hour

Effective communication is vital and of utmost importance when engaging others in the workplace: Our co-workers, our team members, customers, and partnerships. Having effective communication skills creates a win-win for everyone. This presentation is designed to show how using active listening creates a hospitable and productive environment for everyone involved.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Describe and identify an effective communication process.
• Identify common communication barriers.
• Capture insight on effectively using active listening practices.

Breakout Sessions | 1:00-1:50 PM

2206 Ten of the Most Dangerous Bacteria and How to Identify Them
Joel Mortensen, PhD, MLT, SM, CLC
Laboratory Track | 1.0 CE Hour

Using brief case presentations, traditional and state of the art methods for identifying a host of dangerous bacteria will be discussed. Organisms will range from the common to the bizarre and the methods discussed will be from traditional starting in 1865 to the new molecular methods.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Describe traditional microbiology methods.
• Discuss modern molecular methods.
• Recognize deadly bacteria from our area and around the world.

2207 The Future of Prevention and Treatment: Precision Medicine and Genetics
Sarah Beale, RMA
Medical Assisting Track | 1.0 CE Hour

In this session, attendees will learn about the importance of collecting complete and accurate personal and family history, what genetic testing is and why it is an important part of preventative management and treatment. In addition, attendees will learn about Precision medicine and genetics and how it impacts cancer care.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Explain the importance of collecting complete and accurate personal and family history.
• Identify patients that might be at an increased risk of hereditary cancer.
• Describe the impact of genetic testing on patients' preventative care and treatment.

2208 Targeting IOM Quality Aims in Phlebotomy
Beth Warning, MLS, AHI
Phlebotomy Track | 1.0 CE Hour

Nearly 20 years have passed since the IOM outlined six quality aims. The goal of this session is to provide examples of where and how patient centered care, safety, efficacy, timeliness, equity, and effectiveness apply in phlebotomy and patient care.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Discuss the origin and history of patient safety initiatives.
• Outline the six quality aims of the IOM.
• Provide examples of how phlebotomy practices can meet each of the IOM quality aims.

2209 The Great Escape
Melissia Hampton, MT
Leadership & Professional Development Track | 1.0 CE Hour

Are you looking for ways to spice up some safety education for your staff? During this session, participants will experience a game-based competency development opportunity. An escape room will be utilized to practice essential steps of a general safety topic, efficient teamwork, and communication skills. This will include a time limited activity. "Contestants" will be chosen to put their critical thinking skills to the challenge of opening the box "to escape."

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Formulate plans to incorporate game-based escape rooms into competency development models.
• Discuss the value of structured debrief after completion of the escape room.
• List possible topics or themes for your own escape room.

Breakout Sessions | 2:00-2:50 PM

2210 Antibiotic Resistance: A Collaborative Approach
James Utley, PhD, MLS
Laboratory Track | 1.0 CE Hour

Antibiotic resistance has been found in all regions of the globe and this discussion will highlight what is being done to combat antimicrobial resistance and how it relates to the clinical laboratory.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Identify ways bacteria fight antibiotics.
• Discuss emerging threats in antimicrobial resistance and describe what is being done to combat AMR globally.
• Describe how the burden of antimicrobial resistance in a healthcare setting relates to the Clinical Laboratory and estimated Healthcare burden.

2211 Building a Strong Lab Team: Everything from Job Descriptions, Behavior Based Interviewing, Training, Competency Evaluation to Mentoring; How to Build a Culture of Caring and Excellence
Milly Keeler, BSMT, CLC
Leadership & Professional Development Track | 1.0 CE Hour

Personnel are the single most decisive factor in the success of your laboratory. It does not matter how good the equipment is if you don't have qualified, trained employees to appropriately use it. With the intense labor shortage and continued financial pressure and demand of having to do "more with less," recruiting (or keeping) the most valuable individual for your laboratory is crucial. How do you find the "right" employee for the job? How do you ensure adequate training to ensure their success? How do you maintain competency and encourage professional growth? In this session you will be introduced to practical ways to find, train, and build a laboratory staff that is caring and committed to excellence in laboratory testing.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Describe qualifications (education and training) required as well as attributes of high performing lab employees.
• Explain how to perform effective, meaningful training and competency assessments.
• Identify ways to build a strong mentoring team to support lab staff.

Workshops | 3:00-4:50 PM

Workshop A: Make a PACT, Know How to Act – A Bloodborne Pathogens Training
Presented by Desert Education Solutions, LLC
All Tracks | 1.0 CE Hour | 3:00-3:50 PM

Attend this workshop to learn how to stay safe when at risk for on-the-job exposure to blood and other bodily fluids in the workplace. This workshop is a Heartsaver Bloodborne Pathogen (BBP) course, uses the PACT acronym (Protect, Act, Clean, Tell), and slogan "Make a PACT, Know How to Act," to help attendees learn and easily recall bloodborne pathogens concepts.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Define bloodborne pathogens.
• Describe the four main steps for staying safe when facing an occupational exposure.
• Discuss how universal precautions, personal protective equipment, and handwashing can protect you from infection.
• Recognize warning signs and labels for biohazards.

Workshop B: Collaborative Interactive Case Studies: The Morphological Classification of Anemia
Stephanie B. Cochrane, MS, MLS
Laboratory Track | 2.0 CE Hour | 3:00-4:50 PM

This interactive session will provide a brief overview of anemia to include clinical features and laboratory assessment. Participants will work collaboratively in small groups to complete three case studies based on the morphological classification of anemia. Participants will be tasked with calculating RBC indices, drawing RBC histograms, identifying abnormal RBC morphology, interpreting the results of follow-up tests, determining the most likely diagnosis, etc.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Define anemia and describe the clinical features of the condition.
• Classify the anemias morphologically using the following terms: normocytic normochromic, microcytic hypochromic, and macrocytic.
• Given a case history with lab results and/or images of a representative field of peripheral blood film:
  • Analyze the data.
  • Determine if results correlate with each other and with patient information.
  • Indicate possible conditions based on lab results and patient history.

First Time Attendee Reception | 6:00-7:00 PM
Invitation Only
Is this your first AMT Annual Meeting? Come to this event to meet AMT Leadership, learn what to expect the next couple of days. The First Time Attendee Reception is also a great opportunity to connect with other 'first-timers.'

Welcome Reception | 7:00-10:00 PM
Ticketed Event
Catch up with friends and colleagues while enjoying light snacks and a cash bar. This casual and fun event will have you dancing the night away all while you socialize and network. The event starts later in the evening giving you time to enjoy dinner prior to attending the event. The Welcome Reception is open to all fully registered attendees. Guest tickets can be purchased, so friends and family can join the fun.

DAY 2 | Tuesday, July 19

General Session | 9:00-9:50 AM

2212 Pharmacogenomics: Right Drug Dose for the Right Patient
Carlo Ledesma, MS, MLS, DLM, QLS, MT
1.0 CE Hour

The variability in drug responses, concerns for drug dose safety, and prevention of adverse drug reactions gave rise to understanding an individual's genetic information to guide providers and pharmacists on the appropriate drug to prescribe and the appropriate dose. Mutations in the drug metabolism enzymes, cytochrome P450 (CYP450) could provide information on how a drug will be metabolized by an individual. This session will discuss the foundations of drug metabolism and the role of genetic variations and the different factors affecting metabolism of drugs. This session will also emphasize the role of laboratory scientists as an active member of the clinical care team to ensure patient safety.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Identify the drug metabolism pathway and drug delivery.
• Understand how genetic variations can impact drug metabolism.
• Discuss the role of molecular diagnostics in precision and personalized medicine.

Breakout Sessions | 10:00-10:50 AM

2213 Implementing LEAN in Clinical Laboratory
Carolina Lavado, MT
Laboratory Track | 1.0 CE Hour

The efficiency in clinical laboratory may be affected by different causes. Some of them are the wastes of different functions of the laboratory. Sometimes these wastes can be eliminated because of the changes in the production or in the flow chain. This is achieved by teamwork through analysis, brainstorming, detection, and elimination of additional and unnecessary tasks and thus improvement in the satisfaction of the team and patients.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Detect the wastes in the flow chain in the clinical laboratory.
• Realize that teamwork is necessary to improve processes through wasting elimination.
• Take advantage of existing tools and make them part of the routine in all areas of the clinical laboratory.

2214 Emergency Department (ED) Facility Leveling – Explained
Tammy Berger, BHSA, CPC, CMA, RMA
Medical Assisting Track | 1.0 CE Hour

This course will review CMS guidelines for facility coding in the emergency room. Attendees will also review the 2009 OOPS recommendations for facility coding and discuss the difference between facility E/M coding and professional leveling coding. In addition, attendees will review three models a facility can use to code emergency room services, and discuss trends with denials.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Explain CMS recommendations on facility E/M leveling and the 2009 OPPS Final Rule.
• List differences of professional and facility E/M leveling guidelines.
• Discuss national trends payers are doing to down code E/M levels for ED services.

2215 From Bloodletting to Leeches to Syphoning and Now Needles! The Past and Present of Phlebotomy
Barb Lafferty, RPT, RMA, AHI and Carla Filler, RPT
Phlebotomy Track | 1.0 CE Hour

What do you really know about the history of phlebotomy dating back to the ancient Egyptians or earlier times? Leech therapy past and present, would you pay the price? Do you know what a scarificator is? How would you feel about mouth pipetting, blood, urine, or cell cultures like they did in the past and in other countries they still do this today? YUCK! Attendees will answer these questions and more. Come join us for an exciting travel through time. Starting from the past though the Middle Ages to the present.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Identify how phlebotomy got its grotesque and rudimentary start.
• Describe how far we have come in the last 50 years.
• Explain where we are today.

2216 Leadership and Professional Development Opportunities for Students
Deborah Johnson, AHI, MS, MT, SM and Beverly Barham, AHI, PhD, MPH, MT
Leadership & Professional Development Track | 1.0 CE Hour

In this session, strategies that address students taking leadership roles within their required courses will be discussed along with the importance of networking. Additionally, a variety of professional development opportunities for students that are infused into the current curriculum will be highlighted.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Define leadership opportunities infused into undergraduate course work.
• Describe professional development strategies for undergraduate students.
• List advantages for including leadership and professional development in the undergraduate curriculum.

Breakout Sessions | 11:00-11:50 AM

2217 Estimating Renal Function Using the eGFR - Implementing the New CKD-EPI 2021 Equation
Kelly Wilhelms, PhD, DABCC, MLS
Laboratory Track | 1.0 CE Hour

Determining the rate of glomerular filtration is the primary means by which physicians assess kidney function in health and disease. In this session, the physiologic principles of glomerular filtration are described along with the evolution of methods to assess this aspect of renal function testing in clinical practice. The session culminates with a discussion of the newest recommended estimating equation (CKD-EPI 2021), which removes a long-employed race coefficient in its calculation. In addition, we outline recent guidance on implementation published by a workgroup of the National Kidney Foundation-Laboratory Engagement Initiative (NKF-LEI).

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Describe historical and modern laboratory methods for estimating the glomerular filtration rate in clinical practice.
• Outline the benefits of the new CKD-EPI 2021 eGFR equation and describe best practices for effective implementation.

2218 Patient Experience: Decreasing Anxiety – Increasing Healing
Carol Shelton, RMA, BBA, MHA
Medical Assisting Track | 1.0 CE Hour

As healthcare providers, we work diligently every day to bring positive outcomes to our patients and their families who are anxious and nervous. While these feelings are normal reactions to uncertainty and the unknown, they may trigger stress responses that negatively impact a patient’s ability to effectively heal. There are many methods to reduce patients’ anxiety and make them feel more comfortable allowing the healing process to take place with more positive outcomes.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Your internal and external customers and understand their specific needs.
• Create positive engagement by employing active listening and utilizing effective verbal and non-verbal communication.
• Deliver memorable experiences utilizing your own personal brand, turning negatives into positives!

2219 Aging with Dignity, Care Beyond the Draw
Kimberley Wilson, RPT
Phlebotomy Track | 1.0 CE Hour

Discuss strategies and needs of the geriatric population as it relates to phlebotomy techniques and service.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Explain concerns related to the senior population specimen collection processes.
• Discuss strategies for geriatric patient specimen collection processes.
• Provide good customer service to each patient.

2220 The Art of Prioritizing
Zenaida Maraggun, MS, MT, CLS
Leadership & Professional Development Track | 1.0 CE Hour

There is an art to getting things done without creating a stressful environment. When you find yourself with too many things to do and not enough time to do them, stress arises. At times, panic sets in and health is affected. Instead of trying to schedule absolutely everything, take time to identify your priorities and then focus your energies on what matters most. By modifying the amount and type of things you do, you experience more pleasure in your work.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Discuss how to "Prioritize Goals."
• Identify the "Prioritizing Projects" and methodology.
• Describe the procedural steps for prioritizing and impact of not prioritizing.

General Session | 1:00-1:50 PM

2221 Situational Awareness in the Workplace
Margaret Blaetz, CLC, MLT
1.0 CE Hour

Every day we are faced with situations requiring an immediate decision. Sometimes it is simple – You see a co-worker who has obviously been crying. Do you approach and offer support, or keep walking past? Sometimes it is not as simple. Imagine being in a conference room during the quarterly quality assurance meeting, your laboratory manager is presenting the statistics to the laboratory director, and you notice they have presented something which is completely inaccurate. Do you call your manager out right then, or do you wait until after the meeting and address it quietly? Do you ignore it and hope someone else saw it and will take the decision out of your hands? Situational Awareness (SA) is the ability to see clearly what is happening around you, giving you the ability to develop an effective plan within a split second. SA gives you the ability to see from the bottom up, everything that is around you, with more perspective. That perspective allows you to clearly assess the situation to make a practical and informed decision.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Identify the strategies of Situational Awareness.
• Describe how to perceive your surroundings, assess the situation, and decide how to act.
• Explain how to improve your Situational Awareness in the workplace and your home life.

MT-MLT Examinations, Qualifications, and Standards Committee Meeting | 1:00-5:00 PM
MT-MLT Examinations, Qualifications, and Standards Committee members to convene for the first half of their committee meeting.

Workshop | 2:00-4:50 PM

Workshop C: Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider Workshop
Presented by Desert Education Solutions, LLC
All Tracks | 3.5 CE Hours

Basic Life Support (BLS) is designed to provide effective training for a wide variety of healthcare students, professionals, and other personnel working in occupations where this training can become an invaluable part of saving lives. The ability to recognize several life-threatening emergencies, provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), use an automated external defibrillator (AED), and relieve choking in a safe, timely, and effective manner are the main highlights of the workshop. Successful completion of the workshop results in the issuance of the American Heart Association BLS Provider card evidencing this accomplishment.

After attending this session, you will be able to:

• Perform high-quality BLS for adults, children, and infants.
• Use an AED.
• Remove foreign-body airway obstruction for adults, children, and infants.

Awards Banquet | Cocktail Hour 6:00 PM | Banquet 7:00 PM | Convocation 8:00 PM
Ticketed Event
The Awards Banquet celebrates the achievements and excellence of AMT members both on the state and national level. More than 20 awards are presented, including the Order of the Golden Microscope (OGM), AMT's highest medical technologist honor; and the Medallion of Merit (MOM), AMT's highest medical assistant honor. Join your colleagues for an evening honoring the best in allied health.

DAY 3 | Wednesday, July 20

Business and Networking Meetings | 7:30 AM-5:00 PM

Armed Services Networking Breakfast | 7:30-8:30 AM
Network and gather with your fellow AMT Armed Services members for breakfast.

State President & Vice President's Leadership Forum | 7:30-8:30 AM
Attendance limited to state society presidents, vice presidents, or an appointed representative.

New Delegate Orientation | 8:30-9:30 AM
The new delegate orientation provides newly elected or appointed delegates the foundation they need to become strong leaders in their states. Presentations cover a range of key topics, and participants have the chance to discuss issues with colleagues across their district.

Online Communications Committee (OCC): Social Media Workshop | 9:00-10:30 AM
Attendance limited to OCC committee members.

Government Affairs Round-Up | 10:00-11:00 AM
Presented by Michael N. McCarty, JD; Kimberly A. Cheuvront, PhD, MBA, MT; Robert Newberry, MT
This informational session is open to all attendees and will present an update on legal, legislative, and regulatory policy issues affecting AMT professionals at both the federal and state levels. The presentation will be followed by an interactive discussion with attendees on current policy issues of interest to them.

District Meetings | 11:00 AM-12:00 PM
All members should attend their district meeting, including the Eastern, Central, Great Lakes, Southern, and Western Districts.

Meet the Candidates | 1:00-3:00 PM
Candidates for the AMT Board of Directors will be presented to AMT members. Nominating Committee Report will be presented. Electronic voting begins on Wednesday, July 20 at 3:00 PM and closes on Thursday, July 21 at 1:00 PM.

Committee Meetings | 3:15-4:45 PM
Committee members should attend their respective committee meeting.

• Annual Meeting Committee
• Nominating Committee
• Student Activities Committee
• Online Communications Committee
• Government Affairs Committee
• Scientific/Speakers Committee

Happy Hour for Chris Damon | 5:00-6:00 PM
Attendees are invited to come enjoy a happy hour celebrating Chris Damon, former AMT Executive Director who retired in October 2021. Enjoy light snacks and a cash bar. One drink ticket provided to attendees.

OGM/MOM Dinner | 6:00 PM Cocktails | 7:00 PM Dinner
Invitation Only
Attendees of this event are invited to honor current and past recipients of the OGM and MOM awards. This event is by invitation only.

Day 4 | Thursday, July 21

Business Meetings | 9:30 AM-5:00 PM

Town Hall Session | 9:30 AM-12:00 PM
The Town Hall session brings AMT members and the Board of Directors together to discuss issues of importance.

Annual Business Meeting | 1:30-5:00 PM
Christopher Seay, MT, President presiding.

Agenda

• Call to Order
• Report of Credentialing Committee and Roll Call
• Adoption of Agenda
• Minutes of 2021 Annual Business Meeting
• Treasurer's Report
• Announcement of Election Results for the 2022-23 AMT Board of Directors
• Adjournment

AMT Board of Directors Organizational Meeting | 5:00-5:30 PM

Thursday Night Social | 6:00-10:00 PM | Ticketed Event
Wrap-up the Annual Meeting with a little fun! The Thursday Night Social starts with a happy hour with food and drink and then moves on with entertainment and more food and drink! You'll choose to move from room to room with a different experience in each room, or sit and relax in your favorite area. Expect to experience local culture, history, live performances, games, music, and good times with your fellow attendees.

As a reminder, this is a ticketed event, and it is not included in either the attendee or guest full package. All attendees must purchase a ticket to attend the event.

DAY 5 | Friday, July 22

State Society Leadership Session | 9:00 AM-5:00 PM
Attend this meeting to hear updates impacting your state society.

MT-MLT Examinations, Qualifications, and Standards Committee Meeting | 1:00-5:00 PM
MT-MLT Examinations, Qualifications, and Standards Committee members to convene for the second half of their committee meeting.

Saturday, July 23

Council Meeting | 9:00 AM-5:00 PM