Call for submissions to the “2010 IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY EDUCATION FUND COMPETITION”  DEADLINE MAY 31st, 2010
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Please click here for application form

SAVE THE DATE: NOVEMBER 02, 2010
IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY EDUCATION SEMINAR 2010
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IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY EDUCATION SEMINAR 2009
Trends in Transfusion Medicine - Nov. 17, 2009
T-activation
Lola Famuyiwa
Please click here for handout

For other educational programs offered by the New York Blood Center, see our EDUCATION homepage.

NYBC Hosts the 2009 Immunohematology (IH) Education Seminar in Honor of Rock Oyen and Carol Johnson 

The third annual Immunohematology Seminar in honor of Rock Oyen and Carol Johnson was held on November 17, 2009 at New York Blood Center. The seminar, entitled "Trends in Transfusion Medicine", was very successful with about 200 attendees. Presentations were made on topics such as TRALI, Overcoming ABO Antigen Barriers in Renal Transplantations, Uncommon Antibodies and Cold Antibodies, and Controversies in D Antigen Typing. In addition, the recipients of last year's Immunohematology competition presented their award winning papers. The Immunohematology Seminar and Education Fund was established in 2007 by NYBC and funded by both NYBC and outside donations. It was created to encourage junior medical technologists to follow Rock's and Carol's example and pursue a career in Immunohematology.

Rock and Carol, longtime employees of NYBC, were medical technologists, scientists, educators, and friends who published numerous papers and reviews together. They trained medical technologists and physicians, many of whom currently serve as blood bank supervisors or medical directors nationwide. Rock and Carol died prematurely in 2007 after courageously fighting cancer.

One of the highlights of the seminar was the presentation of the award certificates by NYBC President, Dr. Christopher D. Hillyer. Each year, two awards are given based on original papers submitted on Immunohematology / Transfusion medicine topics. The grand prize is a paid trip to the AABB Annual Meeting. This year's Immunohematology Fund Competition grand prize winner is Shatrina Dael, a medical technologist at New York Presbyterian Hospital/Columbia University Medical Center, and the runner-up is Marek Simm, a medical technologist at Mount Sinai Medical Center.

The Immunohematology Seminar offers an opportunity for medical technologists to earn continuing education credits since NYBC is accredited by ASCLS for PACE credits.

Immunohematology Education Fund
in Honor of Ragnhild Oyen and Carol Johnson

Established: 2007

About Ragnhild Oyen-Lopez
Rock, as she was known, was born July 7th 1941 in Trondheim, Norway.She worked in the Antibody Reference Laboratory (now known as the Laboratory of Immunohematology) at NYBC for 30 years, and was the Technical Director when she retired on April 25th, 2002. During retirement, Rock lived with her husband, Fred Lopez, in Bradenton, Florida. She died January 11th 2007. Rock had no formal training as a medical technologist but she was self-motivated and largely self-taught.She grew to be a respected immunohematologist and her advice was sought not only locally but also throughout the world. Rock's interests included research, resolution of serological problems, and teaching.She trained many technologists and physicians in immunohematology who currently serve as blood bank supervisors or medical directors nationwide. Rock had a warm sense of humor, was a pillar of moral and emotional strength, and epitomized good customer service and relations. This education fund is a tribute to Rock.

About Carol Johnson
On November 17th, 2007, the Manager of Professional Education Programs, Carol Johnson died. Carol shared much with Rock and was unconditionally supportive of the Rock Education Fund. Carol was born on August 28th, 1945 in upstate New York and trained as a Medical Technologist at Hartwick College, Oneonta, NY. Later she obtained her MT(ASCP)SBB diploma. Prior to assuming the leadership of the Department of Medical Education, she worked in the Immunohematology Reference and Research laboratories. Carol worked at NYBC for 30 years, during which time she published numerous technical and scientific papers and text-book chapters. She had a remarkable ability to explain complex concepts in an understandable manner and, thus, was a favorite with transfusion medicine students, medical technologists and physicians alike. She was friendly, helpful, outgoing, and a team player. It was largely these traits that enabled her to help build the New York Blood Center Transfusion Medicine Fellowship into one of the premier programs in the United States.

About Rock and Carol
Rock and Carol had much in common: they were both talented medical technologists, scientists, professionals, educators, friends who worked at NYBC and published numerous papers, reviews, and chapters together. They both died prematurely in 2007 after courageously fighting cancer. They trained many technologists and physicians in immunohematology who currently serve as blood bank supervisors or medical directors nationwide. Both enjoyed resolving serological problems, performing and interpreting research studies in various aspects of blood groups and education. They exuded joy in what they did. NYBC has lost two invaluable and irreplaceable family members and both are sorely missed. As a tribute to these two outstanding people, the Rock Oyen Education Fund, which was established in January 2007, was renamed in November 2007 the "Immunohematology Education Fund" in honor of both Rock Oyen and Carol Johnson.

The purpose of the Fund is to encourage junior medical technologists to follow Rock's and Carol's example and to be motivated to pursue a career in Immunohematology.The Fund currently supports an Annual Award Competition and an Annual Seminar.

The Immunohematology Education Fund was established in honor of Rock Oyen and Carol Johnson, who worked together at NYBC for over 30 years. They both started their careers as Medical Technologist in Immunohematology and inspired and educated many during their life-long careers.