ISABB Summer 2021 Newsletter

In this past year of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, we as healthcare workers have sure been through a lot! We have seen our own families, loved ones, friends, colleagues and our patients suffer through the illness, sometimes having fatal outcomes. We have endured staffing shortages, hospitals at capacity, medical supply backorders, daily COVID check-ins and our entire nation…our entire world SHUTDOWN. For one whole year, our lives have been turned upside down. All discussions focused on COVID-19 and mask wearing and symptoms and disinfecting, that it is difficult to even remember a time before COVID-19.

Then came the light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccines were created and tested and distributed. Convalescent plasma was collected from patients and transfused, saving many lives. All of the social distancing and disinfecting and mask wearing seemed to make a positive difference. Businesses had to adjust to the “new normal” as it has been called…even ISABB.

We had our first trial run with the Virtual Summer Workshop in August 2020 and then our first ALL VIRTUAL meeting in September of 2020. Although it had many challenges and definite room for improvement moving forward, it was a SUCCESS! Our speakers could join in the meeting right from their own hospitals and offices. Our members could view the meeting in the safety of their own homes and workplaces. The Annual Meeting/Collaborative Symposium was still able to offer relative topics of healthcare from a wide variety of well renowned speakers. And we are looking to do the same again for 2021.

On behalf of our organization, the committee and board members and myself as the new president for this year, we are all so THANKFUL for your support! Without members like yourselves, ISABB would not be able to continue throughout the years and especially through this pandemic.

Sincerely,

Carol Kelly, MT(ASCP)CHT

ISABB President

Join ISABB for our Annual Meeting, a full day of blood bank continuing education! Registration instructions will be sent soon.

Date: Wednesday, September 15

Cost:

• ISABB Non-Members: $40
• ISABB Members: $30

Topics for this year's meeting will include:

• Pediatric Pre-Hospital Transfusion
• CD47 and Other Drugs
• Apheresis
• US COVID Convalescent Plasma Expanded Access Program (EAP)
• Trauma Case Studies
• Student Abstract Presentation
• And More!...

This award was established in 1991 to honor Victor Muller, MD for outstanding achievement in the field of Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine. This award recognizes an individual who has consistently demonstrated a commitment of excellence towards education, science, patient care and community service in relation to the field of Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine.

Recipient criteria is:

• An individual may be a member or nonmember of ISABB.
• An individual who has given many years of dedicated service to the field of Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine. Specifically:
  • An individual who has contributed substantially to the field of Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine in the area of applied research, education and bench application -or-
  • An individual who has concerned themselves with the educational advancements and technical training of persons interested in the field of Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine -or-
  • An individual who, through dissemination of administrative duties, has enhanced and fostered the growth of the field of Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine -or-
  • An individual who, through their work in the field of Blood Banking and Transfusion Medicine, has inspired co-workers and/or students to work and contribute to this field, -or-
  • An individual who has given outstanding service to the community.

ISABB members are encouraged to nominate individuals. The Board/Nominating Committee will make the final selection. They may request a C.V. on the person nominated. This award may be given posthumously. Nominations can be submitted via e-mail to board@isabb.org.

It's time to renew your ISABB Membership for 2021! If you've never been a member before, please consider supporting our organization.

CLICK HERE to fill out our Membership Form and help us to make sure that your membership information is up to date. Membership fees can be paid via PayPal or by check.

• Individual membership: $25
• Physician membership: $60
• Student Membership: $10

ISABB is seeking nominations for Officer and Board Member positions. Time commitment is one, 1-hour virtual board meeting per month, plus other duties as needed. Available positions are:

• Board Member, 2021-2023
• President-Elect 2021 (will become President in 2022 and Past-President in 2023)
• Treasurer

To nominate yourself or another individual, please reach out to board@isabb.org for more information.

ISABB was organized in 1980 to form an educational network among individual blood bankers and institutional blood banks in the state of Indiana.

Email: info@isabb.org
Website: isabb.org
Phone: 317-948-9627
Facebook: facebook.com/isabb.org