Set out on a journey into the world of rare donors and first‑time donor behavior. Join us as we explore how discovery, communication, and timing intersect in the rare donor landscape.

Jennifer Jung is the Supervisor of the Maryland Heights Immunohematology Reference Laboratory, one of the American Red Cross’s five extra large IRLs. She has spent nearly 27 years in the IRL, where she leads a talented team and still finds herself learning something new every single day. Jennifer recently earned her SBB certification, a milestone she’s especially proud of after more than two decades in the profession. Her background includes past service as an AABB assessor, a strong focus on document control & development, and ongoing roles as Associate Editor for Immunohematology and webmaster for HAABB. Jennifer also oversees rare donor management for her region, which inspired the research she’ll be sharing. 

This presentation explores the creation of the National Center for Blood Group Genomics in 2016 and its relocation to a new facility in 2024. Built during a period of organizational change and led by a new manager, the laboratory was designed, staffed, validated, and licensed within six months while meeting customer needs and regulatory requirements. The session focuses on practical decision-making that supported both initial success and long-term sustainability.

Key topics include:

• Workflow considerations unique to DNA testing, including contamination control and sample flow
• Designing laboratory space for efficiency, scalability, and real-world constraints
• Equipment selection and risk-based qualification, validation, and calibration
• Determining when equipment can be reinstalled versus requiring full revalidation during a move
• Accreditation and regulatory considerations, including AABB, California State and New York State licensure
• Challenges encountered and lessons learned from both startup and relocation

Attendees will gain actionable insights applicable to launching new laboratories, managing relocations, and designing DNA labs that continue to function effectively over time.

Jack Wilson began his career outside of healthcare, working as a grease tester at ExxonMobil, before transitioning into blood banking in 2005 at the Community Blood Center in product testing. He completed his undergraduate education at UMKC and his Clinical Laboratory Science training at Saint Luke’s Hospital. Jack joined the Immunohematology Reference Laboratory in 2010 and has served as laboratory manager since 2014.

In 2016, Jack sat on the team tasked with opening the National Center for Blood Group Genomics and was responsible for laboratory design, SOP development, hiring, validation, staff training, and onboarding customers for the new laboratory. Shortly after the lab opened, he transitioned into the role of manager for both the Immunohematology Reference Laboratory and the Genomics Laboratory and has led both labs since. Jack looks forward to sharing the story of how the genomics laboratory was built and brought online in under six months.

Learning the skills of Emotional Intelligence is one of the most impactful tools that can ensure your success as a leader and will get you noticed for advancement if you are an emerging leader. Used by Fortune 500 companies as a greater predictor for business success than IQ, Emotional Intelligence, or EQ, can have a profound positive impact in all your relationships both inside and outside of work. In this presentation, you will learn practical tips and tools on how you can build this important skill and create positive change.

This case study will discuss out of the box thinking and simple solutions to tackle a specific type of FDA reportable event.

1)      Discuss barriers when dealing with FDA reportable event QC-09-04 – Improper Product Selected for Patient

2)      Describe contributing factors to FDA reportable events

3)      Discuss strategies in the prevention of FDA reportable event QC-09-04

Shay Jones received his undergraduate degree in Biology from Franklin College in Franklin, Indiana and his Medical Technologist training from St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove, Indiana. In 2022, after working as an immunohematologist for over 11 years, Shay took a position at The University of Kansas Health Systems as the Transfusion Service Manager. He has been a presenter for HAABB multiple times and has been a member of the board for several years. 

1. Understand the critical need for consistent blood donations within a hospital setting, including the impact of patient stories on donor recruitment.
2. Identify effective recruitment strategies to engage hospital staff and the local community, including setting goals and using personal, face-to-face recruitment.
3. Plan the logistical requirements of a blood drive, including hospital wide involvement, marketing, and managing the workflow.
4. Define the specific roles and responsibilities of the internal hospital blood bank collaborating with the blood supplier.
5. Implement post-drive strategies to recognize donors, evaluate performance, and foster long-term commitment.

Carla is originally from Kankakee IL south of Chicago - she graduated from University of IL Chicago (UIC) 1996. This is her 30^th year of being a MLS. She has been a blood banker for her entire career. Currently, she is the Transfusion Services Supervisor at NKC Health.

She has 3 children Aidan, Colin and Madison along with her husband Marc and their dog Josie. 

They spend their free time at the lake and visiting the boys in college at The University of Alabama .

Roll Tide!

• Define polyaggutination. 
• Describe laboratory tests to confirm polyagglutination. 
• Describe the case of polyagglutination observed in a child.

1.   Describe important aspects of the RH blood group system revealed through a review of history.

2.   Identify widely familiar and less familiar antigens of the RH blood group system.

3.   Discuss circumstances in which RH antibodies present unique challenges in the blood bank.

Lynsi completed her Medical Laboratory Science degree at Northwest Missouri State University with clinical rotation at St. Lukes Hospital in Kansas City.  She earned a Masters of Health Professions Education from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and is ASCP-certified as a Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB).  After working for several years in the Immunohematology Reference Laboratory at Community Blood Center in Kansas City, Lynsi is now Director of Education and Training for New York Blood Center Enterprises. In this role, she supports training of laboratory staff and directs educational programs and content offered by NYBCe for the greater transfusion medicine community.   She has served on multiple AABB committees, is an AABB IRL assessor, and participates in Spanish language initiatives in transfusion medicine education.  Lynsi is passionate about educating and training the next generation of leaders in immunohematology and genomics.

• Describe the donor testing requirements for antibody detection and identification.
• Explain the testing performed by Creative Testing Solutions (CTS) and its role in donor antibody detection.
• Describe the Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (IRL) process used to verify CTS positive donor screens and identify antibodies.
• Discuss product utilization considerations when donor antibodies are identified.
• Review case studies that illustrate the application of donor antibody testing principles.

Jennifer Jung is the Supervisor of the Maryland Heights Immunohematology Reference Laboratory, one of the American Red Cross’s five extra large IRLs, where she leads a highly skilled team responsible for both patient and donor antibody investigations. After nearly 27 years in the IRL, she still loves the daily puzzle‑solving, the variety of cases, and the thrill of learning something new every day. Jennifer recently earned her SBB certification—an accomplishment she proudly achieved after more than two decades in the field. Her experience includes past service as an AABB assessor, extensive work in document control & development, and ongoing roles as Associate Editor for Immunohematology and webmaster for HAABB. When not at work, she can be found cheering at her son’s baseball games or happily disappearing into digital scrapbooking, Netflix marathons, Legos, puzzles, or more recently Diamond Art. 

1. Recognize unexpected serologic or molecular results during routine testing, evaluate their prevalence, and understand the significance of each unexpected finding.
2. Select appropriate serologic techniques (adsorption, cell treatments, etc.) and molecular methods (FDA-licensed genotyping platforms, targeted arrays, sequencing, etc.) to further investigate patient cases.
3. Interpret results, determine if more testing is necessary, and provide appropriate transfusion considerations, when applicable.

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, doing puzzles, and kickboxing!