WELCOME TO THE HAABB!
The Heart of America Association of Blood Banks is a nonprofit, professional organization dedicated to improving Transfusion Medicine by fostering the exchange of information and bringing education opportunities to blood bank and transfusion medicine professionals.  The HAABB hosts two annual meetings for the Kansas City & St Louis areas. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you!

The 2025-2026 HAABB Board of Directors would like thank all those who made recommendations for the 2026-2027 HAABB Board of Directors.  We would also like to thank Mary SIgnaigo, Dr. Emily Coberly, and Marvin Twenter for serving on the 2026 Nominating Committee and providing an excellent slate of nominees.  We are so excited for things to come!


The 2026-2027 HAABB Board of Directors slate of nominees is as follows:

 


President Elect:  Gina Gramlich

 

Vice President:  Gabe Metzler


Secretary:  Megan Dupont


Treasurer:  Diana Moroney


Member at Large #1:  Brian Easley

 

Member at Large #2:  Cindy Ingold


Member at Large #3:  Cassie Lokken





Nominee Election

The slate of nominees will be presented to the HAABB members at the Annual Business Meeting. The members shall vote to accept or reject the slate of nominees for board of directors as put forth by the nominating committee.  

 Meet the Nominees

President Elect - Gina Gramlich

Gina Gramlich received her Bachelor of Science -Medical Technology degree from the University of Missouri Columbia in 1989.   She completed her clinical year at Research Medical Center School of Medical Technology in Kansas City, Missouri. Gina has primarily worked as a Blood Bank Lead during her 36 years as an MLS. Gina’s first job from 1989 to 2004 was with the American Red Cross centralized transfusion service primarily working with the University Hospital in Columbia. During this time, she also served for 5 years as the Special Coagulation Supervisor under the ARC umbrella. In 2004, Gina started working for St Mary’s Hospital in Jefferson City, Missouri as the Lead Blood Bank MLS as well as working as a generalist in all departments. Gina left St Mary’s in 2020 to work at Capital Region Medical Center as laboratory supervisor and returned to St Mary’s in 2022. During her time at CRMC she coordinated the implementation of COVID19 testing and training for all employees. Her current role at St Mary’s is the Education and Safety Lead/Officer.   She is responsible for all safety compliance and concerns. Gina also coordinates training of new employees and oversees the clinical rotations and in person labs for any Medical Laboratory Technology school students at St Mary’s hospital.


Gina has previously served on the HAABB board for many years as the Member at Large, Webmaster, Secretary and Treasurer.


Gina enjoys traveling, especially to national parks and other outdoor related events; attending concerts and theater; enjoying her many pets (cat, dogs, gecko, and snake currently); gardening; reading; and spending time with her family and friends (especially her new granddaughter!).

Vice President - Gabe Metzler

Gabe Metzler received an undergraduate degree in Microbiology from the University of Kansas in 2008, followed by an undergraduate degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2010.  He performed his clinical rotations at Children’s Mercy Hospital and was hired on full time upon completion of the program.  Gabe worked 3 years as a generalist on night shift before moving to day shift blood bank full time.  He completed the UTMB online SBB program in 2016 and was briefly promoted to Blood Bank Senior Technologist prior to being promoted again to Blood Bank Supervisor, which is the role he is currently serving.  In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his dog, traveling, reading, watching sports and movies, and his newest hobby is homebrewing beer (under the guidance of Brew Master Brian Easley!)

Secretary - Megan Dupont

Megan Dupont grew up on a commercial hog farm in central Missouri. A daughter of a farmer and Critical Care nurse, Megan knew she would choose a career which would allow for her to work with her hands and care for people, even if that meant not providing direct patient care!

Megan holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Missouri-Columbia and graduated from North Kansas City Hospital’s School of Clinical Laboratory Science in 2010. In 2015, she attended Indiana Blood Center’s Transfusion Medicine Education program and completed her certification as a Specialist in Blood Banking in 2016. Megan joined the team at the Community Blood Center of Kansas City in 2017 where she enjoys her role as a Lead Technologist in the Immunohematology Reference Laboratory. Megan has a passion for learning and sharing all things Blood Bank!


In her time away from the lab, Megan enjoys being a wife and stepmother, being active in church and picking up hobbies that keep her hands and mind busy! Currently in her free time, you will find Megan painting, hiking outside, and learning to play the drums.

Treasurer - Diana Moroney

Diana Moroney has served with the American Red Cross for more than 36 years. She holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Biology and is certified as a Medical Technologist (ASCP) as well as a Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB).

Over the course of her career, Diana has held roles across multiple areas of the organization, including several years in clinical laboratory leadership overseeing transfusion service, coagulation, and transplant laboratories. She later served as Manufacturing Director for the American Red Cross St. Louis site for 15 years before advancing to Vice President of Manufacturing, with responsibility for operations across 10 facilities.

Diana has previously served the HAABB in multiple leadership capacities and looks forward to returning to the board.

Outside of work, Diana enjoys boating at Pomme De Terre Lake, spending time with friends, and working on puzzles.

Member at Large #1 - Brian Easley

Brian Easley received an undergraduate degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from the University of Kansas Medical Center in 2008.  He performed his clinical rotations at Heartland Regional Medical Center (now mosaic) in St. Joseph Missouri and was hired on full time upon completion of the program.  Brian worked 1 year as a generalist on evening shift before moving to Kansas City where he was hired full time at Saint Luke’s Northland on the night shift, but continued PRN at Heartland for many years. While working nights at Saint Luke’s, Brian completed his Masters in Healthcare Administration (MHA) from Park University. Wanting a change of pace he then accepted a position on nights at Children’s Mercy Hospital for 3 years before becoming the coordinator of the Broadway laboratory for Children’s Mercy Clinics. Missing Blood Bank, Brian accepted the Blood Bank Supervisor position at Truman Medical Center for 2 years before returning to Saint Luke’s Health System as the Blood Bank Manager at the Plaza. He completed the UTMB online SBB program in 2021 after being in awe of his staff’s knowledge.  

Brian has been with his wife since they were teenagers, they have been married for 14 years and enjoy traveling and reading Harry Potter with their twin 8 year old daughters. In his free time Brian likes to homebrew beer, and is always accepting new students!

Member at Large #2 - Cindy Ingold

COMING SOON

Member at Large #3 - Cassie Lokken

Cassandra (Cassie) Lokken graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science from the KU CLS program in 2016. She took her first job at Community Blood Center in the Immunohematology Reference Laboratory. In 2020, she earned a Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) certification through The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. In 2023, she started working at The University of Kansas Health System in the blood bank and now serves as a Blood Bank Technical Specialist. In 2024, she earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from The University of Kansas. In her free time, she enjoys playing video games and crewing ultramarathons.