During times of staffing shortages it may seem easier to use O negatives for sickle patients to satisfy RH type matching but is this the best use of the blood supply? What challenges would your facility face in not using mostly O negatives?

Austin, Texas, is the “Live Music Capital of the World” and as such we choose to honor that motto. Austin’s diverse music scene goes back to late 1800’s and encompasses a wide variety of music including jazz, country, blues, rock and folk. It’s no wonder Austin gave birth to the South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival, one of the largest and most important music festivals in the world.  Austin has more original music venues in a concentrated area than any other city in the world, but music is not all there is to do in Austin. If food is your passion, you will be pleased as Austin boasts an array of restaurants from fine dining to roadside BBQ. This wonderful city has a rich history dating back to 1839 and I am sure you will find it enjoyable. 

You will find it easy to catch your rhythm with the exceptional educational offerings this year which will provide you with many opportunities to enhance your skill set. There will be many sessions on topics such as molecular blood banking, blood utilization, adverse donor reaction, donor retention and reagent validation, just to name a few.  You’ll also have the opportunity to listen to our award lecturers: Susan N. Rossmann, PhD, MD; John Armitage, MD; and Harvey Klein, MD. The exhibit hall at the SCABB Annual Meeting is one of the largest outside of the national shows.  Vendors from across the country will be in attendance and will showcase the latest in blood banking technology, tools and equipment. Don’t forget that additional educational opportunities are available by attending one of many Industry Workshops or the Oral Abstracts session. 

Maybe you like more of an IRL beat, if so, we‘ve got you covered; the 2012 AIMS Symposium will take place on April 21-22, at the tail  end of the Annual Meeting.  As if this lineup was not enough, we will also be celebrating the 25^th Anniversary of the Foundation of the South Central Association of Blood Banks. Like the vast array of music for which Austin is known for, we are proud to offer you a vast array of educational opportunities which will leave you singing a new song!

On site registration opens at noon on April 18^th at the AT&T Conference Center.  See you there!

What kind of leaders do we need today? Steve Jobs — mysterious, charismatic, intriguing — is often cited as one of the recent greats, and there are clearly benefits to his style. A recent studyshowed that leaders like him — those perceived as having an almost magical aura — are seen as visionary, with employees and customers clamoring to touch the hem of their garments. But that kind of leadership also has its limitations.

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But as soon as the ultrasound began, Manos could see in the doctor’s face something was terribly wrong.  The doctor’s smile faded and he grew quiet, staring at the images on the screen.  He asked Manos about her blood type and whether she was anemic. Did she have any complications with the pregnancy?

Through the ultrasound, Manos heard the baby’s heartbeat.

Corpus Christi doctor works to save unborn baby in a rare pregnancy complication, Corpus Christi Caller Times (3/12)