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Join CSMLS for a virtual symposium focused on Core Lab, featuring industry leaders from across the country!
We’ll broadcast expert-led sessions to you so you can earn continuing education hours from the comfort of your home or lab.
September 23, 2026 - 10:00 am Eastern Time
Session 1 - Error Detected: Automate Solutions in the Core Chemistry Laboratory
Session 2 - Panel: A day in my Core Lab – The highs the lows and the wishes
Session 3 - Workshop
Session 4 - Digital Innovations in Transfusion Medicine: Toward Automation and Standardization
Session 5 - Information Coming Soon!
Session 6 - Information Coming Soon!
All sessions will be recorded and made available to registrants.
Session 1: Mary Kathryn Bohn, PhD, FCACB
Error Detected: Automate Solutions in the Core Chemistry Laboratory
Approximately 70% of all errors in clinical laboratories occur at the pre-analytical phase of testing. The most commonly reported errors include sample misidentification, inappropriate container type, intravenous contamination, inappropriate patient preparation, and hemolyzed, lipemic, icteric, or clotted samples. In this session, we will discuss automated strategies for detecting errors related to specimen integrity ranging from a simple (e.g., delta checks) to complex (e.g., machine learning algorithms) through a case-based approach.
Mary Kathryn Bohn is a clinical biochemist at Unity Health Toronto. Dr. Bohn completed her clinical chemistry postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Toronto in 2025. She obtained her PhD in Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology where her research focused on improving the interpretation of biomarkers of health and diseases in paediatrics and pregnancy as part of CALIPER at The Hospital for Sick Children. Dr. Bohn has published over 50 peer-reviewed manuscripts and presented her work nationally and internationally. Her research has led to recognition from the Canadian Society for Clinical Chemists (CSCC), Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR), and Association of Diagnostics and Laboratory Medicine (ADLM). Mary Kathryn is an active member of the clinical chemistry community and contributes to various special interest groups and academic research related to reference intervals, harmonization and immunology.
Session 2: Panel
A day in my Core Lab – The highs the lows and the wishes
Every core laboratory has its own story. Join an engaging panel of laboratory professionals representing urban, rural, CLXT, pediatric and Indigenous healthcare settings as they share what a typical day really looks like behind the scenes. From managing high testing volumes and navigating staffing challenges to implementing new technologies and improving patient care, our panelists will discuss the realities of working in today’s core laboratories. They’ll highlight the moments that make the job rewarding, the obstacles they face, and the changes they hope to see for the future of laboratory medicine. Whether you’re a medical laboratory assistant, technologist, manager, educator or student, this interactive discussion offers an opportunity to compare experiences, gain new perspectives, and ask question of professionals working in diverse environments across Canada.
Panelists:
Dannielle Lunsted, MLT
Dannielle graduated from the University of Manitoba with a BSc., majoring in microbiology and attended Red River College in Winnipeg for Medical Laboratory Sciences, eventually becoming a certified MLT. Dannielle worked as a General Duty Technologist in a rural core lab, an urban Biochemistry Lab, became the Point of Care Testing Specialist for Shared Health Manitoba, and is now working as a Practice Advisor for Indigenous Services Canada, where she focuses on Point of Care and Laboratory Diagnostics in remote Indigenous nursing stations.
Rachit Desai, MHSc, BHSc, MLT
Rachit Desai is a Senior Manager in the Department of Paediatric Laboratory Medicine at SickKids, providing strategic and operational leadership across Clinical Biochemistry, Hematopathology, Transfusion Medicine and Specimen management. Rachit holds a Master of Health Informatics and is passionate about leveraging technology, data and process improvement to enhance healthcare delivery and patient outcomes. Rachit leads initiatives in laboratory modernization, quality management and workforce development while fostering high-performing teams and collaborative partnerships. Outside of work, he enjoys traveling, following sports and exploring new cultures and experiences.
Jamie Marshall, CLXT
Jamie is a Combined Laboratory & X-Ray Technologist (CLXT) currently serving as a Quality Specialist with the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA) on the Community-Based Diagnostics and Devices Team. Jamie also maintains clinical practice through casual positions in the Laboratory and Medical Imaging departments at Queen Victoria Hospital with Interior Health. Outside of work, Jamie is a proud dog mom who enjoys spending time outdoors either mountain biking, hiking or skiing. Jamie is passionate about gardening, foraging, cooking and enjoying turning fresh homegrown ingredients into delicious meals to share with family and friends.
Alexis Iob, MLA
Alexis Iob is a Medical Laboratory Assistant who launched her career immediately after graduating from the Medical Laboratory Assistant program in 2023. Within two weeks of receiving her certification she began working at the very hospital where she completed her placement. Since then, Alexis has worked with the Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association (EORLA), which encompasses 18 hospital laboratories across Eastern Ontario. Her experience spans both small rural hospitals and a mid‑sized urban site in Ottawa, giving her a broad perspective on diverse laboratory environments. Alexis currently serves as a Regional Project Coordinator with the Ontario Regional Blood Coordinating Network (ORBCoN), supporting transfusion medicine initiatives across the region. Alongside her coordination work, she continues to work part‑time in two hospital laboratories, allowing her to stay closely connected to bench work while also contributing to the administrative and operational aspects of transfusion medicine.
Session 3: Workshop
Session 4: Heidi Peters MLT, HBSc & Rebecca Borges MLT, HBSc
Digital Innovations in Transfusion Medicine: Toward Automation and Standardization
In late 2024, Unity Health transitioned to Epic as its electronic patient record system, while the Transfusion Medicine Lab adopted WellSky as its LIS. Alongside the change, the lab introduced new digital tools to streamline workflows, namely specimen receipt. This presentation will highlight some of these digital initiatives within the Transfusion Medicine Lab: OneCheck/Patient Inquiry, two custom WellSky reports for accessioning samples and obtaining patient information, respectively; and ABO verification, the visibility of a patient’s ABO Verification status in Epic. Using these examples, we will discuss how automation and standardization can reduce errors and shorten turnaround times. Finally, we will address current limitations to these projects and identify future opportunities for improvement.
Heidi Peters graduated from the Medical Laboratory Sciences program at St. Lawrence College in 2016; she also holds an Honors Bachelor of Science in Molecular Biology and Genetics from the University of Guelph. She has 10-years’ experience working as an MLT in Transfusion Medicine at St. Michael’s Hospital where she oversees homecare programs. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog Bodhi and catering to his demands for green beans.
Rebecca Borges is a Medical Laboratory Technologist specializing in Transfusion Medicine at St. Michaels Hospital in Toronto. Beginning her career amid University Health’s transition to Epic, she became interested in using digital tools to support patient safety and improve laboratory workflows. Currently, she contributes to digital initiatives in the lab by identifying areas for improvement, validating system changes and studying the impact of technology on turnaround time.
Session 5 - Information Coming Soon!
Session 6 - Information Coming Soon!