MEMORIAL LECTURES 

 


The SCABB awards and lectureship program is an important part of the Association and the Annual Meeting.

 

Karen Williams Memorial Lectureship
endowed by Grifols

Karen Williams PhotoEndowed by Grifols, formerly Chiron, this merit based lectureship honors the memory of one of our Association’s heroes, Karen Williams. Karen lost a valiant fight to ovarian cancer and passed away on March 1, 2006, just months before she was to accept the gavel and preside as SCABB’s 49th President. Karen was not only a valued member of the SCABB Board of Directors, respected colleague and friend, but she was also a cherished Chiron employee who was dedicated to her profession. Karen’s leadership and commitment to serving her customers promoted blood safety throughout the country.

Each year, the lectureship is awarded to an independent expert in the area of blood safety who is selected by the SCABB Technical/Scientific Program Committee and approved by the Association’s Board of Directors. The lectureship award was proposed, developed, and became a reality through the efforts of a number of Karen’s Chiron associates at that time including Dr. Andrew Heaton, Chief Medical Officer and Jay Grover, President, Chiron Foundation.

The Karen Williams Memorial Lectureship is a testimony to Karen’s legacy and Grifols for continuing to secure it and exemplifies the commitment of the Chiron Foundation and of Grifols to ensure the safety and availability of the blood supply and to promote the highest standards of care for blood donors and recipients.

 

John Moulds Memorial Lectureship
endowed by Quotient

John Moulds PhotoThe John Moulds Memorial Lectureship was established in John’s memory in October of 2011 by John’s employer, LifeShare Blood Centers, in partnership with South Central Association of Blood Banks (SCABB) and Quotient Biodiagnostics.  The first lectureship was awarded at the 2012 Advanced Immunohematology and Molecular Symposium in Austin, Texas.


John’s career as an immunohematology reference lab specialist began with an interest in high and low incidence blood group antigens.  He also had a unique ability to recognize and adapt techniques for use by the serologist in investigation of simple and complex problems.  His leadership and participation in various organizations showed his willingness to share his knowledge.  Some of these included Invitational Conference of Investigative Immunohematologists (ICII), ASCP, AABB, ISBT, and SCABB.  He formed the Serum, Cell and Rare Fluid (SCARF) international exchange in 1972 and served as its director for almost 40 yrs.


John received many honors and awards the first being the L. Jean Stubbins Award from SCABB in 1979.  He was the SCABB Scientific Award Lecturer in 2007 and received the Larry L. Trow Memorial Education Award in 2011.  He provided guidance and mentorship to over 1000 participants in the Gamma tutorial program and numerous SBB students.  John felt especially honored when he was awarded the Ivor Dunsford Memorial Award in 1983 from the AABB.


The recipient of the John Moulds Memorial Lectureship is selected by the AIMS Program Committee who will recommend a prominent expert in the field of immunohematology to the SCABB Board for approval.  The lectureship will focus on issues relating to immunohematology and reference laboratories.  Lecture subject matter may include, but is not limited to blood group serology or biochemistry, molecular basis of blood group polymorphisms, special reagents or techniques, transfusion practices or autoimmune hemolytic anemia.


John was a passionate Immunohematologist who was best known for establishing the international Serum, Cell and Rare Fluid Exchange (SCARF).  He was the consummate teacher always willing to share his knowledge with anyone who asked.  John was the Director of the John J. Moulds Scientific Support Services at LifeShare Blood Center when he lost his almost 3 year battle with pancreatic cancer.