Alabama State Society of American Medical Technologists

Volume: 48 Issue: 1 June 2013

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CONTENTS

2. Delegate Requirements and Award Winners

3. Management –Member’s Article

5. Scientific Article

6. CASMET Biennial Meeting and Symposium

7. MLPW Proclamation Ceremony

8. Presidential Message

9. Editor’s Message

10. Officers and Board Members

11. Scientific Article

12. Member Recognition

13. Councillor’s Message

15. Photos from Spring Board Meeting in Mobile

16. Welcome New AMT Members

17. AMT’s 75th National Convention

18. Reminders

1

June 2013

The ALATECH is the official publication of the Alabama State Society of American Medical Technologists and is published bi-annually. Contributions and editorial communications should be sent to the editor. Contributions should be typewritten and will not be returned unless specifically requested by the author.

Editorial opinions printed in the ALATECH are those of the authors and are not the official opinion of the ALSSAMT.

ALSSAMT reserves the right to edit all communications to the ALATECH.

Publication Dates: First Issue – June 15th and Second Issue – December 15th.

Advertising Rates: Full pages - $50, half pages - $25 and business cards -$10. 18

REMINDERS:

AMT’s 75th National Convention Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

July 8-13, 2013

Alabama State Society Fall Educational Forum

Remington College September 21, 2013

Mobile, Alabama

National Medical Assistants Recognition Week October 21-25, 2013

.

2013’s Delegate Requirements:

1) AMT Resolutions and Meet the Candidates

2) AMT District Meetings

Thursday 7:30 AM - 8:45 AM

3) Town Hall Session

Thursday 9:00 AM - 12 Noon (Annual Reports and Legislative

Reports); all delegates must be credentialed before Thursday in

order to participate in the business meeting.

4) AMT Annual Business Meeting - Thursday 1:30 - 4:30 PM

Annual Award Winners

Congratulations to the following members for being selected for an AMT National Award: Nettie L. Norphleet, RMA – Distinguished Achievement Award Salimata Kone-Coulibaly, MT – Distinguished Achievement Award Rikki Packer, RMA - Alabama State Society Honor Roll Cynthia Perkins, RMA, CMAS – Chet Dziekonski Educational Award State Society Award Recipients: Michele Gillies, MT – Technologists of the Year Salimata Kone-Coulibaly, MT – Exceptional Merit Angela Woodson, RMA – RMA of the Year Rikki Packer, RMA – Distinguished Achievement 2

MARK YOUR CALENDAR

AMERICAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS 75th EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

& NATIONAL MEETING

Pittsburgh, PENNSYLVANNIA July 8-12, 2013

17

Management Article

Becoming a Transformational Leader

(by Angela Woodson, MA, RMA)

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become

more, you are a leader.” -John Quincy Adams, 6th U.S. President (1825-29) (1)

What is a Transformational Leader and how do I become one, is a question of many

people. Leaders are not only those “in charge” of formal organizations in the realm

of medicine or business. True, when we think “leader” we often think first of

Managers, Supervisors, CEOs and Presidents and their counterparts at all levels of

managerial responsibility in business organizations. Impressive power point

presentations don’t solely define a transformational leader or their ability to meet

deadlines. Instead, transformational leaders are best known for their ability to

inspire others performance.

Transformational leaders break every rule perceived as “conventional wisdom,”

when dealing with the selection, motivation, and development of employees (2).

Leadership skills are in high demand. Employers are seeking candidates for

management jobs and entry level jobs list leadership skills as the top attributes they

want (3). After these come industry-specific experience and functional/technical

expertise. One of the most important issues in leadership is being a person that

others want to follow. Almost every action you take in your career within the

organization will determine if people will one day want to follow you.

A transformational leader is one whom practices the following:

Build effective interpersonal relationships

Demonstrate caring, collaboration, respect, trust and attentiveness

Effectively communicate in person, text and email

Set goals and measures and documents staff profess and success

Create an environment of positive morale

Provide recognition

Be a Motivator

Be a Model

Monitor your employees behavior

Lead by example

3

WELCOME NEW AMT MEMBERS TO YOUR ALSSAMT FAMILY

Jennifer Bartlett, CMAS Chasity Jones, CMAS

Cynthia Perkins, CMAS Kelly Waldrep, CMAS

Julie Rainer, MLT Gloria Johnson, MT

Johnny Till, MT Morgan Cooper, RDA

Emmanuel Pettaway, RDA Hillary Rhoades, RDA

Stephanie Yuhasz, RDA Tia Agnew, RMA

Christina Albright, RMA Kathy Baker, RMA

Bethany Becton, RMA Sadarry Bennett, RMA

Angela Boyd, RMA Erica Brooks, RMA

Tonya Brooks, RMA Elizabeth Brown, RMA

Keri Brown, RMA Ashley Buckhanon, RMA

Marjorie Colvin, RMA Ashlee Companion, RMA

Heather Couch, RMA April Cowart, RMA

Christopher Cunningham, RMA Kerrie Davis, RMA

Cassandra Dees, RMA Emily Dement, RMA

Michelle Dews, RMA Bianca Donerson, RMA

Tina Donley, RMA Brittney Doswell, RMA

Tommye Emmons, RMA Amanda Fikes, RMA

Lucia Finamore, RMA Paige Forister, RMA

Rada Foster, RMA Tonya Fralick, RMA

Tara Hall, RMA Darriell Harris, RMA

Sierra Hubbard, RMA Donna Huynh, RMA

Yolanda Ingram, RMA Tammy Johnson, RMA

Michael Jordan, RMA Anastasia Kellum, RMA

Tawana Kendrick, RMA Latasha King, RMA

Tawanda Mathews, RMA Angela Mccarty, RMA

Sabrina Mccree, RMA Constante Mcdonald, RMA

Heather Mcinvale, RMA Timory Mills, RMA

Latisha Minor, RMA Cynthia Morrissette, RMA

Robert Mozingo, RMA Donna Newburn, RMA

Alice O’Bannon, RMA Jennifer Patterson, RMA

Tirza Powell, RMA Kristina Price, RMA

Dana Prieto, RMA Amy Reed, RMA

Venita Rogers, RMA Robin Stagner, RMA

Janice Stallworth, RMA Creshundra Sylvester, RMA

16

Scientific Article

Whooping cough: Without booster vaccine, pre-teens at risk for lengthy, disruptive illness

Another fitful night. A mom lies awake, listening helplessly as her child coughs and coughs. This mom knows tomorrow will be another day of school missed. Soccer practice missed. And for her, another day of work missed. She wonders wearily when it will end. This cough is whooping cough, also called the “100-day cough” because of its long duration. And the child? Not an infant, as one might expect, but a pre-teen, 11 years old. Whooping cough—or pertussis—is a serious and very contagious respiratory disease that can cause long, violent coughing fits and the characteristic “whooping” sound that follows when a person gasps for air. Whooping cough has been on the rise in preteens and teens. In 2009, a quarter of the 16,858 cases of pertussis reported in the United States were among 10- through 19-year-olds.

Most children get vaccinated against whooping cough as babies and get a booster shot before starting kindergarten or first grade. But protection from these vaccines wears off, leaving pre-teens at risk for infection that can cause prolonged illness, disruptions in school and activities, and even hospitalization. To boost immunity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend the Tdap vaccine for all 11- and 12-year-olds. “It’s important for pre-teens to get a one-time dose of Tdap to protect themselves and those around them from whooping cough,” said Anne Schuchat, MD, director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases. “Young infants are most vulnerable to serious complications from pertussis and can be infected by older siblings, parents, or other caretakers.” For infants, whooping cough can be deadly. “Unfortunately, the most recent survey shows that only a little more than half of teens have received the Tdap vaccine,” said Dr. Schuchat. “By taking their pre-teen to get Tdap, parents can protect their child and help stop this disease from spreading.” Tdap is one of three vaccines CDC specifically recommends for pre-teens. The others are the meningococcal vaccine, which protects against meningococcal disease, including bacterial meningitis, and, for girls, the HPV vaccine, which prevents cervical cancer. Boys and young men can get HPV vaccine to prevent genital warts. Of course, the flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older. Pre-teens should also be up-to-date on so-called childhood vaccines to prevent hepatitis B, chickenpox, polio, measles, mumps, and rubella. These recommendations are supported by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, and the Society for Adolescent Health and Medicine.

To learn more, visit CDC’s adolescent vaccine website at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/preteen or call 800-CDC-INFO. Adapted from CDC Newsroom 5

Southern District Councilor (cont.)

Another focus of our Spring Council meeting was the final selection of AMT members who will be receiving national awards at the meeting in Pittsburgh. Notices to the winners will be sent out from the AMT National office in the near future.

I would like to remind you of the North Carolina AMT State Society's storyboard challenge at this year's national meeting. A flyer about this challenge has been forwarded to your state presidents. I would challenge the entire Southern District to accept this challenge.

Finally, don't forget to celebrate Laboratory Professionals Week, April 22 - 28, 2013.

I wish for all of you a wonderful spring meeting. I am looking forward to seeing many of you this summer in Pittsburgh.

Respectfully submitted, Shannon H. Newman, BSMT AMT Southern District Councillor

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Photos from Spring Board Meeting

ALSSAMT Board of Directors

Top: Chasity, Paul, Sally, Cynthia, Rocella

Bottom: Rikki, Nettie, Angela

Angela – RMA of the Year Salimata – Exceptional Merit

Rikki Chasity, Angela, Cynthia, Rocella Distinguished Achievement

15

Management Article

Becoming a transformational Leader (cont.)

Encourage the growth of your employees and their skill development

through education and on the job training

Understand your employees personalities

Listen to the Nonverbal Communication

Set direction

Break barriers down

Provide resources

Doing more than that, means you are in the way. Remember as a leader you

are still responsible for results, but you get things done by people, not by

yourself. As a Transformational Leader you are responsible for everyone and

should be aware of everything that is going on. Transformational Leadership

is about letting go and empowering people, it’s also the opposite of doer

‘ship. It is not good to just dive in and fix problems; you’re not providing an

environment of development and growth for your employees.

References:

1. 10 Inspirational Presidential Quotes | Slideshow ... (n.d.). Retrieved

from http://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/225769

2. Hr Related Tips - College Essays - Lajuchandiramani. (n.d.). Retrieved

from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Hr-Related-Tips-

350085.html

3. Dubrin Chapter 1 - Scribd. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.scribd.com/doc/7269059/Dubrin-Chapter-1

Recommended Readings:

1. Bennis, Warren. “The 4 Competencies of Leadership.” Training and

Development Journal. August 1984

2. Berlin, Harvey K. “The Role of Leadership in Total Quality

Improvement.” Continuous Journey. December 1993-January 1994.

4

I am composing my comments as I watch the snow fall again in Virginia

the year through AMTrax.

Southern District Councilor

The AMT Council held our Spring meeting February 28 and March 1, 2013. It was a very busy and productive meeting.

Make plans to attend this year's National meeting. The upcoming National Meeting and Educational Seminar to be held in Pittsburgh, PA on July 8th - 12th was the focus of much of our meeting. This year's seminar continues our effort to provide you with a more concise meeting that maintains the high quality educational opportunities to which we have become accustomed. This year's meeting will be held in the Omni William Penn Hotel. This hotel chain has some wonderful guest perks available to those who sign up for their Omni Select Program. This can be done when making your reservations on their web site at your leisure. (Complimentary Wi-Fi service, Complimentary Morning Beverage Delivery, (coffee, tea, or soft drink), Complimentary Pressing of 2 items, Choice of Free Nights or Airline Miles, Complimentary Bottled Water Night of Arrival, Complimentary Shoeshine, Complimentary Newspaper of Your Choice Daily, Evening Housekeeping Service, Including Turndown, Customized Room Preferences) Remember, you must register for the Omni Select Guest program beforehand in order to receive the above-mentioned amenities. So when you make your hotel reservation, do take the time to register for the Omni Select Guest program as well.

Members and their family and friends who join them on this trip will find many cultural and sight-seeing opportunities to enjoy in the Pittsburgh area before and after the meeting and during their free time. Room rate is $119.00 a night plus 14% taxes valid from July 2- July 15th.

It was announced at our meeting that the 2014 meeting will be held July 7th - 11th, 2014 in Chicago, IL at the Drake Hotel. For those of you who have been wishing for an exotic meeting location, your wishes have been granted for 2015. We will be meeting in late June, 2015 at the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel in Kohala Coast, Hawaii. Now, is the time to start saving and plan for what will prove to be a wonderful time.

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CASMET Biennial Meeting

6

“Member Recognition”

Chasity Jones, AAS, RMA, CMAS

Dr. Paul C. Brown, MT, Past President (AMT)

During Virginia College’s commencement, Chasity Jones received the Orlando James Grier Academic Excellence Award. This award was established in memory of a member of the ALSSAMT who contributed significantly to the ongoing success of AMT at the state level. It is given annually to a student in post-secondary education who epitomizes the spirit of true professionalism. This award was birth as a result of Orlando Grier’s untimely death. In order to keep his memory ongoing, the ALSSAMT decided to honor a student that exemplifies the spirit of a true professional.

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Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (MLPW)

Mayoral Proclamation Ceremony

Gubernatorial Proclamation Signing

7

Presidential Message

Greetings!

I pray all has been well with each and every one of you, since I last spoke to

all of you. I would like to first congratulate those of you who took and

passed the MT, MLT, MLA, RMA, RDA, RPT, and COLT certification

exams. Welcome to the Southern district. As we embark on 2013 with new

milestones, I encourage each and every one of you to get involved in your

state society.

The spring board of directors meeting will be held on Saturday, April 13,

2013 at Bass Pro Shop 20000 Bass Pro Dr. Spanish Fort, AL. 36527. Our fall

educational meeting will be held at Remington College 828 Downtowner

Loop West Mobile, AL 36609. I am asking all who are able and can make it

to please join us to find out more about what your state society is doing for

and through AMT. We're looking to have a great turnout at this meeting,

with CEUs being given. We have some great speakers lined up for this

meeting.

I am also taking this time out to invite you to AMT’s 75th Educational

Program and National Meeting in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, July 8-12, 2013.

You can visit the AMT website to register and also find out hotel

information.

I look forward to seeing those of you at our National meeting in July and

pray each of you will be safe through the rest of this year and in good health.

Sincerely, Rikki R. Packer, AAS, RMA President

8

Scientific Article

Know the Truth about MRSA Skin Infections

The truth about methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) may

surprise you. MRSA is a type of bacteria that causes skin and other kinds of

infections. Sometimes called “the superbug,” MRSA is resistant to certain

antibiotics, but several antibiotics still work. And many times, antibiotics

aren’t even needed -- doctors are often able to treat MRSA skin infections by

simply draining them.

Because skin infections caused by MRSA are increasing, the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) launched a new campaign to educate

families about MRSA. Although most of these skin infections are mild, some

infections may become life-threatening. There are a few simple steps you

can take to protect yourself and your family from MRSA skin infections.

Step 1: Know the signs and symptoms of MRSA and get treatment early

A staph skin infection, including one caused by MRSA, usually appears as a

bump or infected area on the skin that may be red, swollen, painful, warm to

the touch or full of pus or other drainage. It is especially important to contact

your health care provider if these signs and symptoms are accompanied by a

fever.

Step 2: Keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered

Keeping cuts and scrapes covered will help prevent spreading bacteria to

others. If you think the area is infected, contact your healthcare provider and

follow their instructions about proper care of the infection. Be sure to discard

used bandages in the trash.

Step3: Encourage good hygiene such as cleaning hands regularly

Bacteria and other germs are often spread from person to person by direct

contact – mostly by our hands. Clean your hands frequently with soap and

water or an alcohol-based hand rub, especially after changing a bandage or

touching infected skin.

Step 4: Discourage sharing of personal items such as towels and razors

Avoid sharing personal items such as towels, washcloths, razors, or clothing

that may have had contact with infected skin or soiled bandages. Wash

sheets, towels, and clothes with water and laundry detergent. Water

temperatures for household laundry depend on the type of fiber or fabric of

the clothing. In general, wash and dry in the warmest temperatures

recommended on the clothing label. Use a clothes dryer to dry clothes

completely.

For more information on the CDC’s campaign, please visit

www.cdc.gov/MRSA. Adapted from CDC Newsroom

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EDITOR’S MESSAGE

I have had writer’s block for some time now but, sitting on my porch this morning I saw

something that started the wheels turning. There is something very sad going on in the world

today. Man (and I mean woman too!) is truly destroying the very things it takes to survive in

this world. It is not just the environment that is suffering but, also the soul of man. I am not

one to speak on spiritual matters but, I would like to touch on a few moral/cultural ones.

While sitting there looking at the young man looking at me playing his loud, thumping base

music across from my home which drowned out my nice soothing jazz saxophonist, it occurred

to me how little respect this young man had for his elders or for himself for that matter. My

thoughts on this are: There seems to be a whole lot of “I don’t care,” “I give up,” “Get it

yourself,” I didn’t put it there,” and “Go to a hot place,” being taught in our society today and

not enough, “Please,” “Thank you,” “Excuse me,” or even “You are welcome.” You have

parents who are afraid of their children and children who are afraid of their parents. It is okay

to lie. It is okay to swear. It is okay to wear you pants down around your knees. It is okay to

wear your pants so short they look like underwear or so tight they look like leotards. What is

wrong with our children? And as I ask the question I realize the question I need to ask is what

is wrong with us? But, most of all a question that constantly comes to mind is, when did we

stop caring?

Could it be that as our generations changed, evolved and desensitized our irrational fears so

rapidly we lost the capacity to feel anything deeply at all ? Could it be that our parents, their

parents and we have gradually lost respect for each other? What does it take to turn this

world around? What will it take for everyone to listen and help instead of close their minds

and complain. Maybe someone or something so pure and so kind and so honest none with an

open mind can resist the love that radiates from such an entity. This is truly something to

hope for, another coming of a reverent presence. One whose glow can be felt from every hill

top to every shore. Such a soul as can not be destroyed by the hand of man, pure and non-

violent. Is such a person or being so far fetched to hope for?

Oh well, in the mean time, until that happens we can use the tools already placed before us a

long time ago. We need to appreciate each other for our weaknesses as well as our strengths,

our differences as well as our similarities. We need never forget the basic rule of life: Treat

others just as you would like them to treat you. A rule many of us tend to evade when

reaching for that elusive more. It is a rule that should be embedded in the minds of every

growing child and in the hearts of every growing adult. Passing it down through the

generations will ensure a brighter future for us all and all who may come after us. This rule

should be applied to every aspect of life. Take what you need and only what you need from

the world, replace that which you can and prosperity for many more generations will be

preserved.

Positive Direction

N. L. Norphleet, MS, LPC, NCC, RMA

9

ALSSAMT OFFICERS

President Vice President/NMAW

Rikki Packer, AAS, RMA Angela Woodson, MA, RMA 17348 Sandy Ridge Road 532 Melanie Lane Foley, AL 36535 Montgomery, AL 36109 (H) 251-550-8710 (H) 251-648-7234 Email: rikkipacker@yahoo.com Email: woodson712@gmail.com

Treasurer – Editor Secretary Nettie L. Norphleet, MS, RMA Salimata Kone-Coulibaly, MS, MT 817 Criterion Street 738 Lundy Chase Prichard, Alabama 36610 Auburn, Al 36832 (H) 251-457-6479 (H) 334-887-1388 E-mail: nlnorphleet@yahoo.com Email: cksaly@hotmail.com

Frances Simpson, MT Paul C. Brown, D. Min, MT Past National President/Legislative Chair Past National President/MLPW 409 East 4

th Street 2506 South Cobb Loop

Tuscumbia, Alabama 35674 Millbrook, AL 36054 (H) 256-314-0861 (H) 334-285-3976 Email: fsimpson@hiwaay.net Email: paubr@aol.com Board Members Michele Gillies, MT Cynthia Perkins, AAS, RMA, CMAS (M) 256-797-4895 (M) 334-868-5308 Michele.gillies@hhsys.org cynthiaperkins96@yahoo.com Rocella Carlysle, BA, RMA Chasity Jones, AAS, RMA, CMAS (M) 334-220-5844 (M) 334-318-0841 Rocella_98@hotmail.com chasity.jones85@yahoo.com

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