- American Medical Technologists

KEYSTONE NEWSLETTER
MAY 2015
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF PENNSYLVANIA STATE SOCIETY OF
AMERICAN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
2
MESSAGES TO MEMBERS - :
DISTRICT COUNCILLOR, PRESIDENT AND EDITOR
SPRING MEETING HIGHLIGHTS
3,4
5,8
ELECTRONIC HEALTH RECORD
6
NEW MEMBERS
9
GWEN THOMPSON
10
MEMBER INFORMATION
11
KEYSTONE NEWSLETTER
2
DEBRA SMEAL, MT
JOHN RUDNICK, MT
143 WILLOW DRIVE
501 LOCUST ST.
BELLEFONTE, PA.
GREENSBURG, PA.
16823
15601-4414
(P) 814-355-2562
(P) 724-837-9629
DODIE MARKS, MT
ARLENE DECARLI, MT
1403 WHEATFIELD
DR.
19629 BENNETTS
YORK, PA.17408
(P) 717-764-5307
SECRETARY
VALLEY HWY BOX 25
BYRNEDALE, PA.
15827
(P) 814-787-4093
SUSAN SWANEK, MT
MELISSA BISHOP, RMA
805 MCALPINE ST.
417 SOUTH ST.
AVOCA, PA.
POTTSTOWN, PA.
18641
19464
(P) 570-457-1834
(P) 484-368-2087
EDITOR
LEANN BART, RMA
CAROL YANKOVICH,
MT
800 NORTH VINE ST.
340 DEWEY CIRCLE
HAZLETON, PA.
RIDGWAY, PA. 15853
18201
(P) 814-772-1400
(P) 570-455-0337
ARELISTA CARTER
MLT
4056 PARKSIDE AVE.
PHILADELPAHIA, PA.
19105
THE POSITION OF TREASURER IS CURRENTLY BEING HANDLED BY DEBRA
SMEAL MT, PRESIDENT AND JOHN RUDNICK, MT, VICE PRESIDENT
KEYSTONE NEWSLETTER
3
District Councilor’s Message
Spring/Summer 2015
Greetings Eastern District Members!
As I write this, it’s a mere 20 degrees outside and it
seems like the East Coast has been stuck in a deep
freeze for a couple of months now. I am welcoming
spring, although; it can’t arrive fast enough. That being
said, we do have the sunny, warm days of summer to
look forward to in just a few months. And with that,
brings the national convention which will be held on the
Kohala Coast of the big island of Hawaii.
And lastly, you will notice my signature has changed;
this is not a typographical error. Some of you may remember this name when I first joined AMT over 20
years ago! It has taken me awhile, but have finally
changed it back…all for good reasons I can assure you.
I look forward to visiting many of the societies this
spring so please be sure to attend your general membership meetings so I may meet each of you! Until then,
best wishes for a wonderful year ahead!
Warm regards,
As a reminder, the Hapuna Beach Prince Hotel will be
hosting us and the room rates are $169 + tax per night. Melissa Bishop, RMA
The convention dates are June 22-25, 2015. Please visit
the AMT website for details on the convention and trav- Melissa Bishop
el arrangements. Attire for all seminars and functions Eastern District Councillor
will be ‘ALOHA’ wear. Yes, even the banquet will be
casual! Please note that swimwear is for the beach, pool
and exotic waterfalls, but should not be worn during
AMT functions. AMT is offering a terrific incentive to
START PLANNING NOW FOR OUR
help defray the costs of attending this year’s event…all
NATIONAL CONVENTION
pre-registered attendees will receive a $350 assistor fee
reimbursement when checking in with the AMT registration desk in Hawaii! Here is the link on the national
website. While there, check out the rest of the AMT
website and visit your state society webpages!
http://www.americanmedtech.org/BeInvolved/
AMTAnnualMeeting.aspx
National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week will
be held April 19-25, 2015 and National Dental Assistants Week will be held March 1-7, 2015. Please remember to recognize your peers.
In other news, with technology advances over the years,
the old school style of testing will be obsolete. Yes, paper and pencil exams will be ending this year! All certification exams will be given electronically effective January, 1, 2016.
American Kidney Fund is currently developing several
avenues of partnership with AMT. Stay tuned for more
information!
KEYSTONE NEWSLETTER
4
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Fellow Members,
As spring tries once again to make it’s way into April, I
submit this message with a saddened heart. The state
society of AMT has lost not only a pillar, mentor and
treasurer, but we have host a good friend.
Gwen Thompson, MT, has lost her battle with cancer.
Her celebration of life was beautiful. I would like to refer
to the poem “ THE DASH”. If when your eulogy is being
read, would you be proud of how you spent your
DASH ???
Gwen supported, promoted, and practiced as a proud
professional. She participated in our state society in multiple, serving as different entities. Of the multiple positions that she held, state treasurer was the longest. We
will miss her and always remember her as the Treasurer,
with a laugh that if your were ever fortunate enough to
have heard it, you would never have forgotten it.
As educated professionals, I ask that you consider how
we are spending your DASH. PASSAMT offers an open
invitation to any AMT member, in good standing in
Pennsylvania, to participate in our state society. Feel free
to contact any officer or Board of Director member to
begin making a difference.
Respectfully submitted,
Debra A. Smeal, MT
President PASSAMT
Debra
EDITOR’S MESSAGE
Dear Members,
At last the terrible grip of winter is letting loose and life can
once again get back to a reasonable pace. I do hope that you
had the opportunity of attending the joint Spring Meeting in
Harrisburg. As usual not only are there educational benefits; however there is the greeting of old and meeting new
friends. Professional networking is also a major benefit of
these educational sessions, not to mention the opportunity to
obtain your much needed CEU’s.
I was disappointed not to see new faces at the Business Meeting. This is your meeting and your input and participation is
needed. Not sure of what a state business meeting is about,
why not contact me at- [email protected]. I am sure
many of you do not realize that you can attend the business
meeting and what is all about.
A cloud of sadness was over all of PASSAMT officers and
board members. We lost a friend, and dedicated member,
and treasurer of our state society. Gwen Thompson was
treasurer of our state society and also was an outstanding
member and friend. Gwen is greatly missed.
Have you made arrangements to attend the National Meeting
and Educational Sessions to be held in Hawaii ? Important
information can be found on the AMT website and also our
AMT publication. Time is running out so make your plans
now.
As always, I am looking for articles from members for our
newsletter. I know that so many of you have important information that would benefit our members. Not sure what to
submit ? You can contact me and I will help you get started.
Hope to see you at an upcoming meeting soon.
Susan
KEYSTONE NEWSLETTER
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The Spring Meeting In Pictures
Newly elected officers: Debra Smeal , John Rudnick and
Dodie Gibbons are sworn in by Melissa Bishop
Welcome to our newest Board
Member— Arelista (Faye) Carter
KEYSTONE NEWSLETTER
6
MEANINGFUL USE OBJECTIVES AND THE ROLE OF THE RMA
What does CMS MEANINGFUL USE OBJECTIVES HOPE TO ACCOPLISH- :

IMPROVE QUALITY, SAFETY AND EFFICIENCY

REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES

ENGAGE PATIENTS AND FAMILIES IN THEIR HEALTH CARE

IMPROVE CARE COORDINATION

MAINTAIN PRIVACY AND SECURITY ACROSS ALL AREAS
The use of CEHRT (Certified Electronic Health Record Technology) is aimed to ensure that the
above objectives are met. Failure to comply will have direct affect on the bottom line of physician
practices that do not meet the requirements.
Stage two implementation (2014) will insure that patients have a secure electronic means of to access
their health information. Part of stage 2 also allows “credentialed medical assistants” to enter physician orders into electronic health record (CPOE) for medication, lab and radiology.
This certainly has a direct impact on medical assistants employed in such working environments.
This is a great opportunity to make the AMT RMA certification visible to educational institutions.
PASSAMT has an active interest in making AMT visible to such institutions. Leann Bart, RMA recently had such an opportunity to visit Lincoln Tech in Allentown, Pa. Leann fills us in on the visit
below.
LINCOLN TECH VISIT
Leann Bart, RMA, AHI (AMT)
I was recently asked by our AMT home office to speak at Lincoln Technology in Allentown, Pa. on Monday May 4, 2015. The goal of the visit was to emphasize the benefits of taking the RMA (AMT) exam. Also
discussed was the advantages of getting involved in our organization on a state level.
Many employers now require RMA certification due to the Meaningful Use Regulations for use of the
electronic medical record (EMR). Lincoln Tech was very welcoming and their hospitality was appreciated.
Eileen Moore especially made me feel at home in her school. Everyone I met was terrific. All the instructors
care about their students and it was evident when interacting with them. I enjoyed talking to all the students
and they were very receptive. I believe they will definitely sit for their RMA certification exam.
I truly appreciated this opportunity and left with a positive note that hopefully there will be some new
AMT members from this school. This is so important because we always need new members. Remember to
get your RMA certification and come and see what benefits AMT has for their members on both state and
national levels. You will not be disappointed.
KEYSTONE NEWSLETTER
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JOHN RUDNICK RECEIVES WILLIAM HARTLE MEMORIAL AWARD
The William Hartle Award was presented to Vice President John
Rudnick for his many years of distinguished service .
President Debra Smeal congratulates John on his
achievement
President Debra Smeal presents John with award as board
members Susan Swanek and Leann Bart look on.
KEYSTONE NEWSLETTER
8
SO YOU WERE NOT ABLE TO ATTEND THE SPRING MEETING LETS SEE WHAT YOU MISSED
The annual spring meeting was held at the Holiday Inn Harrisburg East Hotel on May 5 and 6th 2015. Our
keynote speaker was Tammy Miller who is a breast cancer survivor and she showed us how humor can get
you through any and all obstacles in life. She emphasized laughing at yourself and engaging others to laugh
as well since it is the best medicine.
Another interesting topic was using Probiotics for normal gut flora and how they prevent illness. Your
pharmacy has the best Probiotics behind the counter and these are the only ones that work. Ebola preparedness was interesting because it gave you guidelines to follow if and when you have an outbreak. Luckily we
here in the United States are seeing very little but Africa is still battling this disease. All of the sessions were
informative. Looking forward to seeing all of you in Hawaii June 22-25, 2015.
Leann R. Bart, RMA, AHI
KEYSTONE NEWSLETTER
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RMA CONT.
Sian Collins - Philadelphia
Crystal Hans, Watsontown
Erin Cross - South Heights
L’Tanya Harvin, Philadelphia
Misty Cushman - Linfield
CMAS
Tara Deck - Levittown
Alisha Homister, Philadelphia
Theresa Delone - Willow Grove
Ethel Kamara - Philadelphia
Jennifer Deluccie - Scranton
MLT
Manry Dennehy - Stroudsburg
Amin Harshaben - Hatfiield
Nicole Devonshire - Manheim
Tamitha Davis - Martin - Philadelphia Abby Dilworth– Malvern
Trsla Paul - Sunbury
Dione Dorsey - Norristown
MT
Sandra Dove - Philadelphia
Apptaben Patel - Philadelphia
Akua Dowtin - Philadelphia
Bobbi Lyn Drost - Moon Twsp
RPT
Donna Eckenrode - Pottstown
Rachel Au - Easton
Jaime Egbert - Bensalem
Meghan Corrado- Lansdale
Kiana Elliot - Lancaster
Jennifer Deluccie– Scranton
Alexis Lawson - Richboro
Sabrina Fagley - Hustontown
Candice McGhee - Sharon
Munava Farook - Hatfield
Heather Sadak - Honesdale
Brenda Figueriredo - Rochester
Marya Shubin - Philadelphia
Joann Fisher - Roseto
Samantha Walkowiak - Avoca
Bobbie Jo Flexer - Lehighton
Amy White - Waymart
Christina Flores—Philadelphia
Joy Foulkes - Dallas
RMA
Robin Foustner - Reading
Aldana Kerry - Nazarath
Ashley Frazzini - New Brighton
Shaakira Ali - Philadelphia
Yazmin Garcia - Allentown
Frances Alvarado - Philadelphia
Maureen Gaydos - Wilkes-Barre
Brittany Anderson - Effort
Julie German - Berwick
Heather Anskate - Clinton
Ruth Gilbert-Gordon - Philadelphia
Carmen Astacio - Whitehall
Linda Gross -Bristol
Debra Bair - Mount Joy
Briana Greene - Philadelphia
Brittany Balatincz - Hamburg
Lori Griffith - Levittown
Barbara Barbosa - Bensalem
Rebecca Griffith - Boyertown
Kaitlin Barke - West Easton
Carol Groner - Tamaqua
Amanda Barker - Enon Valley
Pamela Guzikowski - Yardley
Alicia Ana-Barney - Washington
Ashley Hansley—Lansdowne
Crossing
Amanda Hartge - Monaca
Dianna Benson - Wilkes-Barre
Amanda Hartman - Bath
Kristie Bertino - Philadelphia
Susan Betron - Hatboro
Kacie Haupt - Lehighton
Krissa Blough - Schwenksville
Lori Kendrick - Lehighton
Babrina Boas - Philadelphia
Keri Hoban—Watsontown
Regina Bonbara - Beaver
Connie Holland - Pottstown
Kissundai Boodoo - Philadelphia
Amber Hornick - Weatherly
Elizabeth Brewer - Fairless Hills
Keri Hoy - Easton
Pamela Brooks– Philadelphia
Thalia Jaramillo - Scranton
Katelyn Brown - Le Raysville
Brittany Jennings - Lincoln UniverVanessa Brown - Philadelphia
isty
Yvonne Brown - Pottstown
Kelsea Jewart - Abington
Elisha Brunck - Effort
Laura Jimenez - Whitehall
Laura Bubar - Ephrata
Kayla Johnston - Ellwood City
Melissa Bubba - Easton
Kimberly Jones - Beaver
Debra Burger - Boiling Springs
Tracy Jones - Tobyhanna
Waynette Carbaugh - New Oxford
Kamara Ethel - Philadelphia
Nichole Carey - Noxen
Sherri Katona - Hermine
Stacey Casey - Edwardsville
Amber Keiter - Halifax
Ana Casteneda - Allentown
Cindy Kelleher - Levittown
Jennifer Castillo - Allentown
Whitney Maxey –Kidd - Orefield
Sarah Chapman - New Castle
Shayna King - Philadelphia
Jermaine Cheely - Philadelphia
Tanika Kirkpatrick - Lansdowne
Tiffany Clark - Philadelphia
AHI
RMA CONT
Jessica Klawitter - Dillsburg
Krista Kleine - Gilbertsville
Karen Krushinsky - Aldan
Karen Kutruff - New Berlin
Tiffany Laubach - Beech Creek
Maria Laws - Philadelphia
Margaret Lemmon - Albrightsville
Karissa Lombardo - Elmhurst
Chalissa Morrison - Philadelphia
Kathleen Or - Lansdowne
Jacqueline Oritz - Philadelphia
Nelcita Palmer - Philadelphia
Cheryl Paluszek - Horsham
Shivani Patel - Hatfield
Maureen Pearce - Philadelphia
Linda Person - Whitehall
Tasha Scott-Peebles - Philadelphia
Joseph Pepe - Boothwyn
Elizabeth Perez - Effort
Katie Peters - Whitehall
Margarette Philidor - Allentown
Chriscynthia Phillipa - Bensalem
Michael Piercy - Philadelphai
Zhino Rasheed - Philadelphia
Linda Ream - Downingtown
Florentina Recalo—Sinking
Spring
Yamaris Rivera - Philadelphia
Kendra Rivoli - Douglasville
Alida Rodriguez - Reading
Jaylinnette Rodriguez - Philadelphia
Leslie Gary– Rodriguez - Philadelphia
Maria Rosario - Philadelphia
Leanne Roush - Berwick
Kelsey Rudic - Philadelphia
Jessica Rusnak - Sewickley
Amelia Sabater - Effort
Heather Sadak - Honesdale
Yoylen Santana - Allentown
Alicia Santiago - Manheim
Nicole Saundera - E. Stroudsburg
Jeena Schlinski - Midland
Sarah Schumacher - Milnesville
Dana Sharr - Scranton
Tracy Shields - Philadelphia
Dianne Shutteworth - Moscow
Vanessa Simril - Lancaster
Amanda Smith - Beaver
Jonathan Smith - Hellertown
Brooke Sohmer - Lenhartsville
Mary Rivera-Sosa - Allentown
Stephanie Spangler - York Springs
Amanda Spayd - Boyertown
Lisa Speakes - Philadelphia
Michele Sterner - Philadelphia
Kareem Stevenson - Chester
Shakera Stevenson - Chester
RMA CONT
Jillian Tartaglia - Glenside
Renita Taylor - Philadelphia
Shykeya Thomas - Philadelphia
Anastasia Thompson - Bethlehem
Caren Thompson - Perkasie
Sharon Thompson - Chalfont
Tiffany Thompson - Morrisville
Marianne Trimmer - Hanover
Tiffany Trumble - West Chester
Maureen Trunzo - Huntington Valley
Jakeemah Turner - Philadelphia
Noel Bandegrift - Pottstown
Stephanie Vargas - Bethlehem
Jasmin Velez - Bethlehem
Stacie Belez - Lewistown
Karley Verbella - Pottstowm
Elizabeth Vicic - Emporium
Melissa Walker - Waynesboro
Samantha Walkowiak - Avoca
Joseph Walters - Pocono Lake
Sarah Washington - Midland
Tracy Watkins - Mechanicsburg
Amanda Weider - Ambridge
Amy White - Waymart
Brooke Whitelock - Beaver Falls
Barbara Williams - Philadelphia
Irene Williams - Philadelphia
Kelly Williams - Reading
Maya Wilson - Philadelphia
Alexis Winter - Allentown
Naomi Wong - Philadelphia
Andrea Wood - Warminter
Ashley Wright - McClure
Heather Young - Eagleville
Tracy Zawiliski - Wapwollopen
Cynthia Zipel - Aliquipppa
KEYSTONE NEWSLETTER
10
LEGISLATIVE REPORT
Debra Smeal, MT (AMT)
CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICE LAWS:
Twenty Three Pieces of Legislation were recently enacted, changing how Pennsylvania responds to child
abuse. These changes will significantly impact the reporting , investigation, assessment, prosecution and
judicial handling of child abuse and neglect cases.
The new laws will expand and further define mandatory reporters and the reporting process, increase penalties for those mandated to report suspected child abuse who fail to do so, and provide protection from employment discrimination for filing a good faith report of child abuse.
The CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES LAW became effective December 31 , 2014.
This law affects any and all healthcare professionals that have contact with the pediatric population. It is
imperative that any and all suspicions of neglect be directed to the appropriate persons at your place of employment. Failure to do so can lead to legal action. As stated the law protects responsible persons from employment discrimination.
It would be appropriate for responsible persons to review current policies to make sure the changes appropriated by this law are up to date.
Employee education would also be advisable.
GWENDOLYN J. THOMPSON
MARCH 30, 1946 - APRIL 9, 2015
Gwen lost her battle with cancer on April 9, 2015.
Gwen Thompson was certified as an MT with AMT in 1968. Gwen wore many hats during her dedicated service to AMT on both a national and state level. Most recently she
served as state treasurer. A position she had held 1972 to 1977 and 1991 to 2015. She
also served as state vice president 1978 to 1981 and served as president from 1982 to 1988.
She also served on many state and national committees.
Gwen’s dedication to AMT and her love of her profession as a medical technologist is evident by the numerous awards she has received on both a state and national level. Among those achievements : State Awards Technologist of the Year and Outstanding Member of the Year. On a national level she received : Distinguished Achievement, Exceptional Merit, Pillar, Silver Service Awards. Also among her achievements was
the “Dusty” Rhoades Life Award in 1990. …
One of the most outstanding qualities that Gwen displayed was her ability to be a true and loving friend. I
was so fortunate to be considered one of those friends. I can remember so man y times I was on the receiving end of her most wonderful gift of friendship. She made sure to call to see how I was doing, or to send a
very special card (you can tell much time and effort was put into the selection), I have a tall stack of these
wonderful cards with wonderful words of encouragement inside.
Gwen was an encouragement to all with her strength and her love of life. For those of you who ever had the
chance to meet her you have been blessed. I will forever remember her very special laugh.
Submitted by: Susan Swanek MT , Editor
KEYSTONE NEWSLETTER
11
MEMBERS PAGE
DELEGATES TO THE NATIONAL CONVENTION
“To represent your state society at the national convention is an honor and a privilege; each and every active
member has the opportunity to experience the professional and personal benefits it can bring.”
Responsibilities of a delegate to the national convention
Must be a member in good standing.
$500.00 Educational Grant Available to First
Time Attendees
The AMT Board of Directors established an
educational grant in the name of Chester B.
Dziekonski
in
1993.
This
● Must be elected from membership at the current year business meeting.
● Must attend the state business meeting (current year) and
request recognition as a delegate.
OR

Must notify the president, in writing, within thirty (30)
days of the current year state business meeting.

Must meet the established criteria for delegate as outlined in the national state officers manual.

Should submit a written report covering the national
meeting as well as scientific programs, committee meetings, and social events. This report will be published in
the “Keystone Newsletter”.
No delegate will receive the delegate fee without meeting
the above requirements.
$500.00
educational grant is presented each year at
the national convention to an AMT member
who is attending the national meeting for the
first time.
Each
state
society
can
nominate
one
deserving person from their state.
FUTURE MEETING AND CONVENTION
SITES
It is not too late to make plans for this year’s
convention in Hawaii!!!
National Meetings
JUNE 22-25, 2015
KOHALA COAST, HAWAII
www.americanmedtech.org