 2024 Webinars Schedule
American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) is pleased to announce that participation in the 2024 webinar series is FREE for all ASFA members! There is a $75 registration fee per webinar for non-members.
ASFA webinars enable professionals in the study of apheresis medicine to learn the latest in the field, in the convenient location of their facility.
Although only one audio and web connection is allowed per registrant, there is no limit on the number of participants per location. Invite your colleagues and staff to participate in the webinars by using the broadcast audio and projecting the slides on to a large screen using an LCD projector. All participants who attend live webinars can earn Continuing Education Credits* after completing an online evaluation.
If you are interested in leading a future ASFA topical webinar or nursing case study webinar, please reach out to ASFA Head Office.
New: Please note that you also need to register with GoToWebinar in order to receive IP specific login details!
December 10 | | Title: ASFA Journal Club - December 2024 Date: Tuesday, December 10, 2024 Time: 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET (**note the different time and day of the week!) Moderator & Presenter: Matthew Karafin, MD, MS & David Nai, MD
Participating Author: Amena Usmani, MD
The Journal Club Webinar Program will be an opportunity for members to connect, discuss, and exchange ideas from current literature on apheresis topics. The webinar will be accredited for up to one (1) CME/CEU/CMLE credit.
Join us on December 10th to explore new insights from a prospective study on fibrinogen levels and bleeding risk during plasma exchange therapy.
Article: A lower fibrinogen threshold does not lead to increased bleeding risk in patients receiving therapeutic plasma exchange: A prospective single-center analysis
Transfusion. 2024 May;64(6):1076-1082 | https://doi.org/10.1111/trf.17865 | 
| December 4 | | The following webinar does not offer continuing education credits.
Title: Hot Topic Panel Discussion: Navigating the IV Shortage Date: Wednesday, December 4, 2024 Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET Moderator: Nicole Aqui, MD
Panelists: Jeffrey Winters, MD & YanYun Wu, MD, PhD
The ongoing IV shortage has impacted healthcare practices nationwide, leaving many providers to adjust their workflows and treatment protocols. How are apheresis practitioners affected? What strategies are available in managing this crisis? Join us for this panel discussion as we navigate the challenges and explore possible strategies. --- Dr. Jeffrey L. Winters graduated with high distinction from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine in Lexington Kentucky in 1993. His postgraduate training consisted of an Anatomic/Clinical Pathology residency at the University of Kentucky and a Transfusion Medicine/Blood Banking fellowship at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester Minnesota. He is certified by the American Board of Pathology in Anatomic Pathology, Clinical Pathology, and Blood Banking/Transfusion Medicine. Dr. Winters is a professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology in the Mayo College of Medicine and is the Chair of the Division of Transfusion Medicine.
Dr. YanYun Wu is a Professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Miami. She serves as Vice Chair of Business Development and Innovation, Chief of Laboratory Medicine, Director of Transfusion Medicine at UHealth & Jackson Health System, and Clinical Service Leader for Apheresis at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center. She previously served as Chief Medical Officer at Bloodworks Northwest. She is a past president of the ASFA and a recipient of the 2023 Presidential Award for her contributions to the field and our Society.
Dr. Nicole Aqui is an Associate Professor of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania where she serves many important roles, including Vice Chair for Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, Pathology Residency Program Director, and Section Chief for Transfusion and Apheresis Services.
Dr. Aqui is nationally recognized expert in apheresis, having co-authored evidence-based guidelines for the use of therapeutic apheresis in clinical practice. She is the current President of ASFA. | Registration has Closed
Members can watch
the recording in
ASFA Access | November 20 | | Title: Apheresis for Patients with GI Dysfunction Date: Wednesday, November 20, 2024 Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
Moderator:Chisa Yamada, MD
Speakers: Part I - Makoto Naganuma, MD & Part II - Paola Sandroni, MD, PhD
Dr. Naganuma graduated from Keio University School of Medicine in Japan in 1992, and he has been interested in inflammatory bowel diseases. He has conducted research and treated patients with IBD as a gastroenterologist since 1996. He started apheresis therapy for patients with ulcerative colitis at his institution and conducted clinical researches. From 2003-2006, he worked in University of Virginia for mucosal immunology as a post-doctoral fellow. He has been a member of Japanese Society for Apheresis (JSFA) since 2014 and worked as associate editor of Therapeutic Apheresis and Dialysis since 2019. Dr. Naganuma became a professor and chairman of the Department of Internal Medicine at Kansai Medical University in 2020.
Dr. Sandroni is a Professor of Neurology at Mayo Clinic Rochester. She is certified in neuromuscular disorders, autonomic disorders and pain medicine besides neurology. She is division chair of the autonomic section at Mayo and chair of neurology of the Mayo Clinic Health System Minnesota and Wisconsin. She is chair of the Autonomic Disorders Specialty Group of the WFN. She was previous director of the autonomic laboratories and autonomic workshop. She teaches regularly at American Academy of Neurology and lectures all over the world on autonomic disorders. She has authored over 150 peer reviewed papers, a book and multiple book chapters.
Dr. Yamada is a professor of pathology and the medical director of the Apheresis Procedure Unit at the University of Michigan. After practicing as an ophthalmologist for 12 years in Japan, she completed her Pathology Residency at Montefiore Medical Center, followed by a Transfusion Medicine Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University. She held positions at Johns Hopkins and the University of California, Irvine, before joining the University of Michigan in 2009. Committed to global education and collaboration, she has been an ASFA member since 2006, participating in multiple committees, and became an ASFA board member in 2023.
Part I: Developments of apheresis treatment for inflammatory bowel disease
Learning Objectives: - Evaluate the effectiveness of apheresis therapies in treating ulcerative colitis (UC)
- Identify the potential benefits of apheresis as maintenance therapy for UC patients at high risk of adverse effects or those who refuse immunosuppressant treatment.
- Discuss the reported effectiveness of biologics and JAK inhibitors in treating UC, and explore the benefits of combining biologics with apheresis
Part II: Role of apheresis in acute autoimmune neurologic syndromes with focus on autonomic conditions
Learning Objective: - Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of apheresis compared to immunoglobulin therapy (IG) in the treatment of autoimmune neurologic disorders.
| Registration has Closed
Members can watch
the recording in
ASFA Access |
September 30
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Apheresis Awareness Day 2024
The following webinar is sponsored and does not offer continuing education credits.
Title: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization in Multiple Myeloma
Date: Monday, September 30, 2024
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
Speaker: Jessica Pena, RN, OCN
Jessica Pena, lead Stem Cell Transplant Coordinator, has worked at MD Anderson Cancer Center for over 19 years. Jessica has focused her clinical care in stem cell transplant in variety of roles. With the evolving treatment landscape, Jessica
has been on the front lines of transplantation and cellular therapy. Jessica has passion for patient care and works very closely with their families and caregivers throughout their cancer journey.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization in Patients with Multiple Myeloma and current challenges
- Review an option in Stem Cell Mobilization for adult patients with Multiple Myeloma
Hosted by:
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Registration has Closed
Members can watch
the recording in
ASFA Access |
September 24
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Apheresis Awareness Day 2024
The following webinar is sponsored and does not offer continuing education credits.
Title: Outcomes of Treatment with CABLIVI (caplacizumab-yhdp)
Date: Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
Moderator: Ingrid Ramirez-Chuley
Speakers: Gustaaf de Ridder, MD, PhD & Mark
Szalyga
Dr. Gustaaf de Ridder is the System Director of Transfusion Services and Director of Apheresis and Patient Blood Management at Geisinger Health System in Pennsylvania.
Dr. de Ridder received his medical degree and PhD from Duke University in North Carolina. Following this, he completed his residency in Anatomic and Clinical pathology and a fellowship in Cardiovascular and Thoracic Pathology at Duke University.
He completed his fellowship in Transfusion Medicine and Blood Banking at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
His research interests include emerging indications for extracorporeal photopheresis (ECP), thrombotic thrombocytopenic
purpura (TTP), and he has authored or coauthored numerous publications. Dr. de Ridder has extensive experience lecturing and mentoring in various areas of Transfusion Medicine.
He is an active member of the American Society for
Apheresis and the Association for the Advancement of Blood and Biotherapies.
Learning Objectives:
- Provide an overview of aTTP/iTTP, including pathophysiology, epidemiology, patient presentation, disease burden, and diagnosis
- Understand the importance of rapid diagnosis and immediate treatment due to acute nature and high mortality of aTTP/iTTP disease if left untreated
- Discuss available treatment options for aTTP/iTTP
- Review results of US and international real-world studies on aTTP/iTTP
- Review the ISTH Guidelines and their recommendation on Diagnosis and Treatment Approaches for TTP.
- Discuss coverage and reimbursement for CABLIVI
Hosted by:
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Registration has Closed |
September 17
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Apheresis Awareness Day 2024
Title: Cellular Therapy Collections in Pediatric Population
Date: Tuesday, September 17, 2024
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
Speaker: Mitchell
Meinershagen, MBA-HCM, MLS(ASCP)QIACM
Mitchell Meinershagen is the Clinical Coordinator of the Apheresis Program at Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth, Texas. He received his Bachelors of Science in Medical Technology (Clinical Laboratory Science) from Tarleton State University in 1995 and his Master’s in Business Administration with an emphasis in Healthcare Administration from Western Governor’s University in 2016. He received his Qualification in Apheresis in 2017. He has been performing therapeutic and cellular therapy procedures in the pediatric population for the past 26 years.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss immune effector cellular therapy collections and the different diagnoses associated with the types of collections.
- Identify various environmental and behavioral challenges with the pediatric patient during an apheresis collection.
- Describe special considerations and barriers with the collection of cells from the sickle cell patient population.
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Registration has Closed
Members can watch
the recording in
ASFA Access |
September 10
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Apheresis Awareness Day 2024
Title: Optimizing Cell Collection
Date: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
Speaker: Deisen Lauro, BSN, RN, QIA
Deisen Lauro is an accomplished Clinical Educator at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer and Research Center in Duarte, CA, where she specializes in Therapeutic Apheresis. Since March 2021, Deisen has been pivotal in assessing educational needs, developing training programs, and enhancing clinical performance within the institution. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and is certified in teaching methodologies for adult learners and QIA (ASCP). Her expertise is further demonstrated through publications in the Journal of Clinical Apheresis and recognition with the Clinical Advancement Program II Award. Deisen Lauro is renowned for her clinical skills, educational leadership, and commitment to patient care.
Learning Objectives:
- Define the principles of optimizing cell collection by understanding the key factors that influence the efficiency and effectiveness of the process, including equipment and system requirements.
- Identify and articulate the endpoint goals of cell collection and how these goals guide adjustments and operational strategies to ensure successful outcomes.
- Evaluate and adjust variables to optimize the cell collection run, including flow rates, anticoagulant levels, and other critical parameters to enhance collection efficiency.
- Analyze external factors affecting collection efficiency, such as patient physiology, and procedural techniques, to improve overall performance and outcomes.
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Registration has Closed
Members can watch
the recording in
ASFA Access
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September 3
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Apheresis Awareness Day 2024
Title: Plasmapheresis in ABO Incompatible Kidney Transplant
Date: Tuesday, September 3, 2024
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
Speaker: Kaatje le Poole, MD, PhD
Dr. Kaatje
le Poole is a transfusion specialist at Sanquin, following extensive training as an internist-nephrologist. As the head of a mobile apheresis team, Kaatje oversees a wide range of apheresis procedures across the Netherlands. These
services include specialized treatments like column apheresis for patients undergoing ABO-incompatible kidney transplants. Kaatje combines expertise in transfusion medicine and nephrology with a deep commitment to advancing apheresis
and improving patient outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
- Evaluate the role of plasmapheresis in ABO incompatible kidney transplantation.
- Compare the advantages of columns over TPE.
- Distinguish between semi-specific and specific columns.
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Registration has Closed
Members can watch
the recording in
ASFA Access
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July 31
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Title: ASFA Journal Club - July 2024
Date: Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
Moderator & Presenter:
Daniel K. Noland, MD & Ian Baine, MD, PhD
Participating Author:
Tayler A. van den Akker, MD
The Journal Club Webinar Program will be an opportunity for members to connect, discuss, and exchange ideas from current literature on apheresis topics. The webinar will be accredited for up to one (1) CME/CEU/CMLE credit.
Join us on July 31st to understand automated red cell exchange (RCEx) and euvolemic automated transfusion (EAT) technique and to review important considerations when deciding between RCEx and EAT in a sickle cell patient.
Article:
Euvolemic automated transfusion to treat severe anemia in sickle cell disease patients at risk of circulatory overload.
Transfusion. 2023 Dec;64(1): 124–131 |
https://doi.org/10.1111/trf.17613
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Registration has Closed
Members can watch
the recording in
ASFA Access
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May 29
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Title: Cellular Depletion for Leukocytes and Platelets, An Overview for Operators
Date: Wednesday, May 29, 2024
Time:
12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
Speaker: Tim Roberts
Learning Objectives:
- when these procedures are needed by a patient
- what supplies are needed to perform the procedures
- what orders are needed from Apheresis and Oncology Physicians
- how to know the procedure has reached its goal
- how to handle some complications of the procedures
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Registration has Closed
Members can watch
the recording in
ASFA Access
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March 27
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Title:
Mobilization guidelines
Date: Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Time:
12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
Speaker: Dr. Hien Liu
Dr. Hien Liu is an Associate Member of the Moffitt Cancer Center Department of Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy. She is the Medical Director of the Apheresis Program. She is also an Associate Professor of Oncologic Sciences at the University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine. Dr. Liu received her medical degree from the University of Michigan Medical School. She completed an Internal Medicine Residency at Michigan State University/Grand Rapids Medical Education and Research Center. This was followed by a Hematology/Oncology Fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation, where she also served as Chief Fellow. Before joining Moffitt Cancer Center, Dr. Liu was an Associate Member of the Blood and Marrow Transplant Program at Cleveland Clinic/Case Comprehensive Cancer Center and an Assistant Professor at Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio. Dr. Liu is an experienced blood and marrow transplant physician, specializing in autologous and allogeneic transplant, as well as chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, for multiple myeloma and plasma cell dyscrasias. Her clinical and research interests include improving peripheral blood stem cell mobilization strategies for autologous and allogeneic transplantation, optimizing Leukapheresis for CAR T and other immune effector cell therapies, and application of extracorporeal Photopheresis for acute and chronic graft versus host disease.
Webinar overview:
It has been 10 years since the American Society for Transplant and Cell Therapy published guidelines for hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization. Since that time, more data have been published on predictors for mobilization, optimal cell doses for transplant, and various algorithms for optimizing mobilization cost/efficiency. Biosimilars have been approved and most recently, a new agent has been FDA-approved for mobilization. It’s time to update the guidelines and consider how we can maximize resources to improve collection results and reduce the burden on collection centers
Learning Objectives:
- Review peripheral blood hematopoietic progenitor cell mobilization agents.
Review previous guidelines and the need for updated recommendations.
- Discuss efforts for updating mobilization guidelines and how this can impact collection facilities.
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Registration has Closed
Members can watch
the recording in
ASFA Access
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February 07
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Title: Alzheimer's disease, current treatments and the role of Plasma exchange
Date: Wednesday, February 7, 2024
Time: 12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
Speaker: Mercé Boada Rovira, MD, PhD, Franco Emanuel Appiani, Xavier Morató, PhD & Federico Casales
Xavier Morato Arus
Graduated in Pharmacy, and a Ph.D. in Neurosciences my work was focused on studying protein-protein interactions, potential new treatments, and novel biomarkers in neurodegenerative diseases. Since January 2021, I have been working at
ACE Alzheimer Research Center Barcelona, leading the Clinical Trials (CT) Unit participating in and Designing clinical studies related to dementia treatment.
Mercé Boada Rovira
Neurologist and Doctor of Medicine, Dr. Boada is the co-founder and medical director of the Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona. A distinguished professor at the Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, she is a member of the Executive Committee of the European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium and PI for the Ace Group of the CIBERNED. Dr. Boada’s impact extends beyond national borders, leading projects granted by the European Community such as MOPEAD. She has also promoted grant projects such as GR@ACE, the FACEHBI cohort, NORFACE, and TARTAGLIA. She has led about 150 Clinical Trials and has authored more than 550 scientific articles. In recognition of her contributions to Alzheimer's disease research, the Generalitat of Catalunya (Catalan Government) awarded her the Creu de Sant Jordi in 2016.
Franco Emanuel Appiani
Dr. Franco Emanuel Appiani, a neurologist specializing in neurodegenerative diseases, plays a key role in the Memory Unit at ACE Alzheimer Center Barcelona. He is actively involved in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cognitive impairment and dementia, demonstrating a dedicated commitment to improving the quality of life for both patients and caregivers.
Federico Casales
Dr. Federico Casales, a neurologist specializing in neurodegenerative diseases, is part of the Memory Unit and is also the neurologist of the Therapeutic Apheresis Unit (UAT), playing an important role in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of patients with cognitive impairment and dementia.
Learning Objectives:
- Alzheimer disease (AD), epidemiology and clinical progression.
- Understand the neuropathology underlying AD.
- Current treatments for AD.
- Therapeutically plasma Exchange in clinical trials for AD.
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Registration has Closed
Members can watch
the recording in
ASFA Access
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January 10
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Title:
ECP/chronic GVHD meds
Date: Wednesday, January 10, 2024
Time:
12:00pm - 1:00pm ET
Speaker: Dr. Joseph Pidala
Joseph Pidala, MD, PhD is a Senior Member of the Department of Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Immunotherapy (BMT-CI) at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute. He serves as Vice Chair for Research in the
BMT-CI Department and conducts research in the prevention and therapy of graft vs. host disease (GVHD).
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the impact of chronic GVHD on transplant patients’ outcomes.
- Survey the current treatment landscape for chronic GVHD.
- Describe the role of ECP in chronic GVHD therapy.
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Registration has Closed
Members can watch
the recording in
ASFA Access
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*Please note, Continuing Education Credits are only available to those participants who attend live webinar presentations. Further Continuing Education Credit information is available here.
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