Lab Culture

https://www.aphlblog.org/lab-culture-ep-35-oregons-one-health-approach-to-yersinia-enterocolitica-case/How did a baby become ill with Yersinia enterocolitica, bacteria most often found in pork, when no contaminated food was found in the home? In this episode of Lab Culture, Dr. Karim Morey, a microbiologist with the Oregon State Public Health Laboratory, explains that routine laboratory testing, a comprehensive and sophisticated foodborne illness investigation process, and a One Health approach helped solve this unique case. Don't miss this interview by Stephanie Barahona, APHL's media specialist, which is in both English and Spanish. Find the Spanish version of the conversation shortly after the 16-minute mark.

This episode is coming to you from the 2024 APHL Annual Conference in Milwaukee, Wisconsin! We had the opportunity to chat with APHL's current President, President-elect and CEO about their experiences and observations from their roles. They are three extremely dedicated public health leaders who have come together at the Annual Conference for learning and collaborating, but also to see their colleagues who they consider friends and family. Don't miss this episode! Tim Southern, PhD, D(ABMM) APHL President, 2023-2024 Laboratory Director, South Dakota Public Health Laboratory Megan Crumpler, PhD, HCLD(ABB) APHL President-Elect 2023-2024 Director, Orange County Public Health Laboratory Scott J. Becker, MS APHL Chief Executive Officer

Today's show is a conversation between four past winners of APHL's Leadership in Biosafety and Biosecurity Award. Jill Power, Christina Egan, Carrie Anglewicz and Andrew Cannons share their thoughts on the past, present and future of biosafety in public health laboratories. Andrew C. Cannons, PhD Laboratory Director Bureau of Public Health Laboratories –Tampa Florida Department of Health Jill J. Power, MS Deputy Director New Hampshire Public Health Laboratories New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Carrie Anglewicz, MS Biosafety Officer, Laboratory Outreach Bureau of Laboratories Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Christina Egan, PhD Deputy Director, Division of Infectious Diseases Chief, Biodefense and Mycology Laboratories Wadsworth Center New York State Department of Health Links: Leadership in Biosafety and Biosecurity Award Strengthening Lab Biosafety & Biosecurity APHL Blog posts about biosafety

As the 2022 monkeypox outbreak began to spread around the globe, the Laboratory Response Network (LRN) was prepared with the appropriate test and experienced staff trained to perform it. These frontline responders were the first to test suspected monkeypox samples in the US and continue to be vital to this public health emergency response. As we move into the next phase of this response with commercial laboratories coming online to test patients, what is the role of the LRN? What role do public health laboratories, the largest segment of LRN labs, play? In this episode, two key APHL leaders answer these questions and more: Dr. Ewa King, chief program officer, and Chris Mangal, director of public health preparedness and response. Links: The LRN's job is to prepare, detect and respond. But what exactly does that mean? APHL Monkeypox Response U.S. Monkeypox Outbreak 2022: Situation Summary (CDC)

Today was the first full day of the 2022 APHL Annual Conference and it did not disappoint! From COVID-19 to newborn screening to food safety and more, there was a fascinating presentation to intrigue anyone. We kicked off the day with a sunrise walk and line danced together after lunch!

Every year we commemorate World TB Day on March 24, the anniversary of the day Dr. Robert Koch first announced that he discovered Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes TB. This World TB Day, we are sharing an insightful conversation between two TB laboratory leaders: Angie Schooley, B.S. MT(ASCP), Mycobacteriology/Mycology Unit Manager, Michigan Department of Health & Human Services and Caitlin Miranda, M(ASCP), Microbiologist III, Oregon State Public Health Laboratory. Links: Oregon State Public Health Laboratory Oregon Public Health Division Tuberculosis Program Michigan Department of Health & Human Services Tuberculosis Control Program Bovine TB testing of wild deer wraps up after disease found at Michigan cervid farms (February 8, 2022) What is Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis (XDR TB)? (CDC Fact Sheet) 12th National Conference on Laboratory Aspects of Tuberculosis World TB Day APHL Tuberculosis webpage APHL Blog – Tuberculosis blog posts Lab Culture Ep. 8: Leaders for a TB free world

Eric Bind and Andrew Steffens, scientists at the New Jersey Public Health and Environmental Laboratories, knew their lab was capable of screening expectant mothers and newborn babies for lead and mercury. But creating a program that also included important clinical interventions was unprecedented. On this episode of Lab Culture, they share how they pioneered this valuable program and established a precedent for others. Links: NJ Biomonitoring Website Lead and Mercury Educational Materials (English) Prenatal Screening Mercury Questionnaire NJDEP Fish Advisory Boston Birth Cohort Study: Lead Paper Boston Birth Cohort Study: Mercury Paper CDC: Heavy Metals during Pregnancy CDC: Pregnancy Information Pediatric Environmental Health Specialty Units (PEHSUs) Lead and Mercury Educational Materials (Spanish) Lead and Mercury Educational Materials (French Creole) Lead and Mercury Educational Materials (Polish) Lead and Mercury Educational Materials (Portuguese) "New Jersey Laboratory Pioneers Prenatal Lead and Mercury Screening" (Lab Matters magazine)

On August 27, 2020, APHL joined The Story Collider for a very special edition of their show featuring four true, personal stories about from APHL members about how COVID-19 has impacted their lives. This episode is a recording of that show. The Story Collider produces dozens of live shows all over the country, and recently has moved to an exciting online format. Links APHL.org The Story Collider September is Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month APHL 2020 Virtual Conference

Are we already at the end of 2019?! While to many of us it felt like the year flew by, APHL staff, members and partners accomplished a LOT in an effort to protect the public's health. In this episode, Scott Becker, APHL's executive director, reviews some of the highlights of the year along with Gynene Sullivan, APHL's manager of communications, who is finalizing our Annual Report. Follow APHL on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram so you don't miss anything! Links: APHL: Lung Injury Response Associated with Vaping CDC: Outbreak of Lung Injury Associated with the Use of E-Cigarette, or Vaping, Products APHL work on opioids Data: Elemental to Health advocacy campaign Supporting rapid exchange of public health data is urgent, crucial and laden with challenges APHL AIMS Platform Lab Matters (Fall 2019): Making Data Fly NewSTEPs Data Repository APHL Newborn Screening Systems Quality Improvement Projects Award Recipients Announced APHL Public Health Laboratory Fellowships APHL Emerging Leader Program Lab Culture Ep. 9: What is the APHL Emerging Leader Program? CDC: US Measles Cases and Outbreaks in 2019 "Launching Whole Genome Sequencing in the Public Health Realm" Lab Matters (Fall 2013) Accreditation for Human and Animal Food Labs APHL Conferences Lab Culture Extra: Progress in Sierra Leone APHL Global Health Program: Countries we serve Global Laboratory Leadership Programme (GLLP) Laboratory Response Network (LRN) Lab Culture Ep. 20: 20 Years of the Laboratory Response Network "Two Decades of Preparedness Excellence: The Laboratory Response Network" Lab Matters (Fall 2019) The LRN's job is to prepare, detect and respond. But what exactly does that mean? Strengthening Lab Biosafety & Biosecurity "Ensuring Readiness for Rabies in Puerto Rico" Lab Matters (Spring 2019) "Public Health System Recovery in Full Swing: Hurricane Response in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands" Lab Matters (Spring 2019) In Puerto Rico, a new molecular bacteriology lab allows better control of foodborne outbreaks APHL Publications "US officials identify 'strong culprit' in vaping illnesses" Associated Press (video interview)

APHL has a long history of involvement in Sierra Leone where we've provided technical assistance to strengthen the nation's laboratory system for over a decade. Following the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak, we were invited back to build laboratory response capability for Ebola and other highly infectious diseases. We found there was a lot to be done: a strategic plan for the laboratory system, renovation of the central lab, training and mentoring of lab staff, reducing turnaround time for Ebola testing, and much more. With the engagement completed earlier this year, APHL Executive Director Scott Becker and Manager of Global Health Sherrie Staley share insights from APHL's on-the-ground experience, which include the value of a healthy ram. Links: Photo album -- Progress in Sierra Leone APHL joins partners in Sierra Leone to strengthen lab capacity in Ebola's wake High profile APHL team explores MOHS public health laboratory priority needs APHL in Sierra Leone: Building a resilient lab system Sierra Leone and Guinea: Building a resilient lab system

Today was day three of the annual meeting! We started the day with awards ceremony and concluded with the member assembly, listening to many great speakers in between. For many, the highlight was the Dr. Katherine Kelley Distinguished Lecture delivered by Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha. Dr. Mona is a pediatrician, scientist, researcher, activist and author of What the Eyes Don't See. Her research and the work of her team exposed the deliberate effort to cover up the Flint water crisis and the lead poisoning of Flint, Michigan's children. APHL honors public health leaders at 2019 annual meeting What the Eyes Don't See: A Story of Crisis, Resistance, and Hope in an American City

We're in St. Louis for the 2019 APHL Annual Meeting! This episode is a round-up of all the excitement of the first day. It was fascinating and exhausting, just as the annual meeting should be. Follow #APHL on Twitter and Instagram for more updates!