2026 ASCLS Region V Fall Symposium
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2026 ASCLS Region V Fall Symposium

2026 ASCLS Region V Fall Symposium

October 8 - 9, 2026  ·  Crowne Plaza Suites MSP Airport - Mall of America



Join us for the 2026 Region V Symposium, the premier annual gathering for laboratory professionals. The Region V Fall Symposium is a two day, in-person conference sponsored by ASCLS Region V, which rotates annually between North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.This year, we are leaning into Lab Coats and Loon Calls offering a robust lineup of expert-led, interactive sessions, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Whether you're looking to sharpen your technical skills or expand your professional circle, this is the event where the region's best minds meet to shape the future of Medical Laboratory Science. 

What you can expect when attending:

Multi-day continuing education event featuring keynote speakers and a student day.
Social event to network with vendors and peers.
This event is a collaborative effort of ASCLS MN, ASCLS WI, ASCLS ND, and ASCLS SD

Meeting Location and Hotel Information

3 Appletree Square, Bloomington, MN 55425
Room Block Rates: $109/night 2 Queen or $129/night King Suite
Book a Room

Register to Attend

Register early to take advantage of discounted registration costs!

Early Bird Vendor registration closes at 11:55pm on Saturday, August 1st 2026 

*If paying by credit card, there will be a 6% processing fee to the cost of registration*
Cancel before Sep 24th 2026, 11:55 PM (CT) to receive a 94% refund.




ASCLS-MN is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.

Sponsors

Thursday Pipettes & Percolation Coffee Station
Friday Pipettes & Percolation Coffee Station
Loon Calls & Campfires Social
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Program

Thursday, October 8
11:00 AM
11:00 AM
Event Start
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
11:00 AM - 12:15 PM
Registration
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
12:15 PM - 1:30 PM
Beyond the Lab Result: Closing Gaps in Lupus Monitoring
Laboratory monitoring is essential to the safe management of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus, yet gaps in care can lead to missed or delayed testing.
Chemistry Keynote Level: Intermediate
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
1:45 PM - 2:45 PM
Bringing the Lab to Life: Effective Outreach Strategies to Inspire Future Medical Laboratory Professionals
This session explores practical, engaging strategies for promoting medical laboratory science careers through community outreach and high school engagement.
General Level: Basic
High Consequence Disease Risk Assessments: How to say Yes to HCID Patient Testing
Safety
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
2:45 PM - 3:15 PM
Snack Break
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
3:15 PM - 4:15 PM
Hearing the (Loon) Call: Real-World Lessons in Laboratory Compliance
This session explores real-world laboratory accreditation and compliance case studies to highlight common deficiencies, effective corrective actions, and strategies for sustained improvement.
General Level: Intermediate
When Morphology Lies: Resolving Diagnostic Discordance in Hematology
Accurate diagnosis requires integrating morphology with laboratory, molecular, and clinical findings.
Hematology Level: Basic
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Answering the Call: How Pathogen-Reduced Platelets and INTERCEPT Fibrinogen Complex Strengthen Care from the Lab to the Bedside
Explore how pathogen-reduced platelets and INTERCEPT Fibrinogen Complex can strengthen transfusion safety, streamline laboratory workflows, and support timely bedside care.
Blood Bank Level: Intermediate
The Devil Wears PPE: How to Survive a Toxic Culture Without Needing a HAZMAT Suit
A humorous how-to guide of dealing with toxic laboratory coworkers, leadership, instructors or environment.
General Level: Basic
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Social and Exhibits
Join us for the Loon Calls & Campfires Social with our Vendor exhibitors!
Friday, October 9
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
7:00 AM - 8:00 AM
Registration Desk
Breakfast buffet
8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
8:00 AM - 9:15 AM
Beyond Compliance: A Human Factors Approach to Solving Recurring Problems
Join us for a Breakfast Keynote! In this active learning workshop, you'll roll up your sleeves and investigate what's actually getting in the way, using a collaborative problem-solving approach grounded in how brains work under stress.
General Keynote
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM
General Session
General Level: Intermediate
Molecular Syndromic Testing : Market Dynamics and Future Direction
This presentation explores key market trends, growth opportunities, and strategic considerations for stakeholders seeking to adapt and succeed in an increasingly complex diagnostic landscape.
Level: Intermediate Microbiology
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
10:45 AM - 11:45 AM
Emerging Rapid Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing
In critical infections, hours matter. Traditional AST methods take 24–48 hours, forcing clinicians to rely on broad-spectrum therapy.
Level: Basic Microbiology
From Specimen to Diagnosis: A Hemostasis Review
Hemostasis testing is most meaningful when laboratory results are interpreted within the clinical context.
Coag Hematology Level: Intermediate
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
12:00 PM - 1:15 PM
Learning like a Loon: Becoming an ally to Neurodiverse Laboratorians
Join us for the Closing Keynote luncheon!
General Keynote
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Region V Presidents Council
5:00 PM
5:00 PM
Event End

Hotel

Location

Location: Crowne Plaza Suites MSP Airport - Mall of America, 3 Appletree Square, Bloomington, MN 55425

Speakers

Ali Murphy MHSA, MLS(ASCP)cm, caPM

I'm just a human out here...trying to help others be better humans :) My talk will be an overview on neurodiversity and how to be an ally! Look forward to seeing you in the audience.

Amanda Straszewski

April Nelsen PhD MLS(ASCP) MB

Dr. April Nelsen is a clinical coordinator and clinical assistant professor of MLS at SDSU.

Bridget Parsons

Bridget Parsons is a market access leader specializing in reimbursement, payer strategy, and evidence generation for molecular diagnostics, translating complex healthcare policy into strategies that expand access to high-value diagnostic testing.

Dr. Demetra "Toula" Castillo Ph.D., MLS(ASCP)CM, AHI(AMT)

Dr. Evann Hilt M(ASCP), PhD, D(ABMM)

Evann Hilt is an Assistant Professor at the University of Minnesota and Medical Director at Fairview, specializing in infectious disease diagnostics, laboratory preparedness, molecular diagnostics, and sequencing.

Jeana Houseman MHSA, DLM(ASCP)CM

Julie Freidhoff MS, MLS(ASCP)

Kassi Erickson EdD, MLS(ASCP)CMPBT

Lance Trewhella, MSN

Leah Narans MBA, MLS(ASCP), AHI(AMT)

Miles Tompkins MLT(ASCP)CMPBTCM,QLSCM,AHI(AMT)

Rodney Sinchak MLS(ASCP)

Sarah Steinberg MS, MLS (ASCP) CM, AHI (AMT)

Tori Nemitz MLS(ASCP)

No records found.

Exhibitors
A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for more than 60 years, bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (systems, reagents, software) that determine the source of infectious diseases to improve patient health.
Abbott Diagnostics is a major global division of Abbott Laboratories that provides blood tests, instruments, and informatics for hospitals, labs, and clinics.

Cerus

Beckman Coulter

Hologic

Grifols

Kurin, Inc.

MN HOSA-FHP

Abbott Diagnostics

University of North Dakota

Bio-Rad Laboratories

bioMérieux

A world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics for more than 60 years, bioMérieux provides diagnostic solutions (systems, reagents, software) that determine the source of infectious diseases to improve patient health.

SCIEX

Sebia

Leeds Precision Instruments

South Dakota State University

Diagnostica Stago

GFMD

Sysmex America, Inc.

Hettich Instruments

Roche Diagnostics Corporation

Total Water Treatment Systems, Inc.

American Red Cross

Data Innovations

WSLH PT

Abbott Core Dx

Abbott Diagnostics is a major global division of Abbott Laboratories that provides blood tests, instruments, and informatics for hospitals, labs, and clinics.

Werfen

No records found.