This was our 2024 Agenda, with announced session titles and speakers for the EWC Conference. This gives you an idea of the depth and the breath of our program each year.
Check back here in the fall for details on our 2025 conference
Monday – Tuesday – Wednesday – Thursday
Monday, April 29 (Top)
REGISTRATION
4:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Early Registration
RECEPTION
5:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Get Acquainted Reception
Tuesday, April 30 (Top)
Don't Miss these Keynote Speakers!
Tuesday General Session — 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
GENERAL SESSION
9:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Big Changes in Healthcare: New Regulations and New Diagnostics Players Poised to Reshape Lab Testing
Lâle White
Executive Chair & CEO,
XiFin, Inc.
San Diego, CA
GENERAL SESSION
10:00 AM - 10:15 AM
CDC Laboratory Update: CLIA Regulations, Resources for Clinical Laboratories, and More
Reynolds Salerno
PhD,
Director, Division of Laboratory Systems,
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),
Atlanta, CA
AM BREAK
10:15 AM - 10:35 AM
AM BREAK
GENERAL SESSION
10:35 AM - 10:55 AM
MolDx and Z-identifier Codes: Why and How and the Future
Gabriel Bien-Willner
MD, PhD
Dr.
Palmetto GBA,
Columbia, SC
GENERAL SESSION
10:55 AM - 11:15 AM
New Developments at the FDA: Draft LDT Rule, Harmonization of ISO 13485, Memo on Reclassification of Certain Assays, and More
Tim Stenzel
CEO,
Grey Haven, LLC.
Crystal, MN
GENERAL SESSION
11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Panel: Timing and Implications of FDA LDT Rule; Reforms to CLIA Regulations; Wider Use of Z-Code by Payers
Session Chair: William Morice
Chair & Moderator: William Morice
Panelists: Gabriel Bien-Willner, Tim Stenzel, Lâle White
William Morice
MD, PhD,
President & CEO,
Mayo Clinic Laboratories,
Rochester, MN
Gabriel Bien-Willner
MD, PhD
Dr.
Palmetto GBA,
Columbia, SC
Tim Stenzel
CEO,
Grey Haven, LLC.
Crystal, MN
Lâle White
Executive Chair & CEO,
XiFin, Inc.
San Diego, CA
CLICK HERE TO SEEWEDNESDAY'S KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Tuesday Morning — Management Master Classes & Benefactor Sessions
MASTER CLASS
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Price Transparency: What Labs Need to Know Now about Existing Regulations and Pending Legislation
Christopher Ho
MS,
SVP Customer Operations Group,
Myriad Genetics,
Salt Lake City, UT
Gregory Stein
Founder & CEO,
Shadowbox,
Carlsbad, CA
Rachelle Galant
Chief Strategy Officer,
Careviso,
Falls Church, VA
MASTER CLASS
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Best Practices in Managing Point-of-Care Testing: Achieving a Single IT Infrastructure to Manage POCT Results in Inpatient and Ambulatory Settings
Jeanne Mumford
Manager, POCT,
Johns Hopkins Hospital,
Baltimore, MD
MASTER CLASS
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Lessons Learned in Adapting Histology Processes to Support Scanning, High-Quality Whole Slide Images, and Digital Workflow
Raiza Valentin
Laboratory Manager,
Coreplus Servicios Clinicos y Patologicos,
Carolina, Puerto Rico
MASTER CLASS
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Autonomous Robots in the Lab: Freeing FTEs and Shortening Lab Test Turnaround Times while Improving Quality and Patient Care
Sarah Province
Regional Laboratory Director,
Florida Hospital – AdventHealth,
Orlando, FL
MASTER CLASS
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Latest Trends in Managing Denials and Appeals of Clinical Lab and
Pathology Claims
Diana Richard
AVP, National Accounts, Path/Rad/Health Systems,
XiFin, Inc.
San Diego, CA
Stephanie Denham
Associate Vice President,
RCM Systems and Analytics,
XiFin, Inc.
San Diego, CA
MASTER CLASS
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Making Data Actionable in RCM
Seth Maheu
CEO,
Birdrock Laboratories,
San Diego, CA
BENEFACTOR SESSIONS
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Coronis Health, SYNERGEN Health,Experian Health
BENEFACTOR SESSION
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Coronis Health
HEADWINDS in Lab&Path
This session hosted by Michael Ferrie with Jane Pine Wood, Counsel at McDonald Hopkins, focuses on key areas for consideration and action by laboratory and pathology professionals. An interactive presentation/discussion, topics include:
- The Audits are Coming!
- How Low is Low? Medicaid Reimbursem*nt Travails
- Key Trouble Spots — New & Returning
- REQs signed
- Special Payment Plans
- OIG Hit List
- Digital Pathology: key trends, TC/PC arrangements
- “Arrangements” as pertain to billing, collections, & related matters
- What does NOT work
- Ways to get creative within boundaries
- Payer News / Clearinghouse News
- Protection from Cyber Attack — Implications and Precautions
- Current Events as applicable
- Open Q&A
Michael Ferrie
MM/MBA,
President, Laboratory & Pathology,
Coronis Health,
Fenton, MO
BENEFACTOR SESSION
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
SYNERGEN Health
Maximize Lab Profitability: Unleash the Power of AI with Practical Use Cases
Transform your laboratory’s financial landscape using AI and technology that provide up to a 14% revenue increase and an 80% reduction in manual data entry costs. In our session, discover how SYNERGEN Health’s innovative, integrated revenue cycle solution and PreciseMDX’s AI Paperless Lab technology tackle the industry’s toughest challenges, from data quality to staffing shortages.
Through real-world examples, we’ll reveal the transformative power of AI in enhancing operational efficiencies and driving growth. Don’t miss the opportunity to unlock these game-changing benefits for your laboratory.
Sunil Konda
Chief Product Officer,
SYNERGEN Health
Mark Dorner
Co-Founder & CEO,
PreciseMDX
BENEFACTOR SESSION
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Experian Health
Revolutionizing Insurance Discovery in Lab RCM: Harness the Power of AI and Real-Time Data Correction
In the post-pandemic landscape, labs are grappling with the challenges of evolving patient populations and shifting insurance coverages – and doing it with fewer staff and tighter margins.
Fluid enrollments – when combined with ever-changing patient health plans – often result in messy and time-consuming claim denials. 2024 presents an optimal opportunity to take command of your revenue cycle management and proactively prevent future revenue leakage by embracing the right AI, machine learning and robotic process automation strategies that can make your rev cycle run like a well-oiled machine.
In this session, rev cycle stalwart and Wave HDC co-founder Dean Paluch and our guest panel of laboratory revenue cycle leaders will help you:
- Understand the crucial role of a continual monitoring strategy during open enrollment periods to ensure financial success
- Explore how real-time, automated data correction turns FTE-laden denial management teams into low-touch / no-touch denial prevention, limiting human resources investments
- Strategize smart ways to explore real-time AI tools that deliver immediate ROI
- Experience the financial impact of an insurance discovery client that avoided millions in potential denied claims and drove improved cash acceleration by using AI
Dean Paluch
VP of Sales,
Experian Health,
Franklin, TN
MASTER CLASS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
How Real-Time Analytics Improved Lab Performance and Helped Reduce Readmissions Due to Fewer False Positives in Sepsis Testing
Regina Galloway
MLS(ASCP)
Manager of Clinical Pathology Laboratories, Ochsner Health,
New Orleans, LA
MASTER CLASS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Standardizing and Automating Central Lab Testing Across 25 Laboratory Sites to Shorten Time-to-Answer, Reduce Staff Touches, and Improve Service to Physicians
Daniel Anderson
Clinical Pathology Lab Manager,
Intermountain Health,
Murray, UT
Jamel Giuma
President & CEO,
JTG Consulting Group,
Miami Shores, FL
MASTER CLASS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
CLIA Laboratory Director Forum
Jon Harol
President,
Lighthouse Lab Services,
Charlotte, NC
Lindsay Strotman
PhD,
Laboratory Director,
Lighthouse Lab Services,
Louisville, KY
MASTER CLASS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
New Opportunities to Deliver More Value With Lab Data in Medicare STARS and Risk Adjustment
Rick VanNess
MS,
Director, Product Management,
TriCore Reference Laboratories,
Albuquerque, NM
MASTER CLASS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Version 2.0: Small Lab Sites, Big Patient Impact! Delivering Lab Testing in Rural Areas to Stay Ahead of Infectious Disease Outbreaks, from STDs to Respiratory Viruses
Kristie Madden
Laboratory Manager,
United Indian Health Services
Arcata, CA
MASTER CLASS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Fine-Tuning Epic Beaker to Optimize Orders and Streamline Communication between Clinical Teams and Lab to Reduce Pre-Analytical Errors
Ryan Matos
Beaker & Reporting Expert,
Honeydew Consulting,
South Burlington, VT
Kaylee Smith
MIHM, MLS(ASCP)
Technical Specialist II – Microbiology
Advocate Clinical Laboratories, Advocate Health,
Charlotte, NC
BENEFACTOR SESSIONS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
XiFin, Inc., ELLKAY, U.S. HealthTek
BENEFACTOR SESSION
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
XiFin, Inc.
How AI Is Reshaping Revenue Cycle Management
Topic Description: Operating in an environment of ever-changing payor policies and behavior, finance and revenue cycle leaders must expand their understanding of how artificial intelligence (AI) can help them address operational and business issues, from an increase in denials to working errors more efficiently. In this session, Jeff Carmichael and Sandra Greefkes share learnings from AI projects, the need for automation as a foundation before applying AI, and the benefits of a more robust approach to AI-enabled RCM. Jeff and Sandra will present a comprehensive and strategic approach to data, automation, and AI that can help your organization:
- Remove friction throughout the patient’s experience.
- Route errors based on payment risk or billing team member expertise.
- Leverage AI to translate various payor responses into the most appropriate reason code and next actions.
Participants will experience how various analytics and visualizations can help determine where to focus AI efforts and gain a deeper understanding of the practical applications of AI-enabled RCM workflow. Finally, participants will discover how AI can be applied to payor responses and the automation that can be garnered.
Jeff Carmichael
SVP,
Engineering and Analytics,
XiFin, Inc.
Sandra Greefkes
VP,
Product and Partner Marketing,
XiFin, Inc.
BENEFACTOR SESSION
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
ELLKAY
Enhancing Healthcare Continuity for a Growth Oriented Health System and Reference Lab: Leveraging EMPi and a Complete Interoperability Platform to Achieve Automated and Efficient Laboratory Data Exchange
Explore how Intermountain Healthcare uses ELLKAY’s LKOrbit lab platform and upgraded interfaces to support their lab automation. Learn methods used to transform a multi-system laboratory outreach program using master patient index data, a single data management platform, and enhancing reference lab workflows with ARUP’s highly automated specimen intake processes, while highlighting the verato query and the interoperability component for distribution of all results.
Marci Dop
Vice President Enterprise Lab Operations,
ELLKAY,
Elmwood Park, NJ
John Johnson
Senior Vice President, Sales,
ELLKAY,
Elmwood Park, NJ
Emily Shake
Director of Commercialization-Laboratory,
Intermountain Health,
Salt Lake City, UT
Adam Barker
PhD,
COO, ARUP Laboratories,
Salt Lake City, UT
BENEFACTOR SESSION
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
U.S. HealthTek
“Is AI going to take my job?”
The Real-World Impact of AI, Machine Learning, and Automation in Healthcare
U.S. HealthTek President and CTO Robert Negosian will be moderating a panel discussion focused on the utilization and impact of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and intelligent automation in healthcare organizations. Panelists will discuss implementation of these technologies, and the impact they can have on an organization big and small.
The discussion will cover topics including an overview on AI and machine-learning technologies, the decision-making process in how and when to utilize these tools, and their impacts on organizations. Panelists will also discuss typical challenges faced during implementation, including initial assumptions and gaps between assumptions and reality.
The goal is to provide attendees with a comprehensive overview of the practical applications of machine learning and AI tools, and to gain valuable insights from industry experts using these emerging technologies in the field today. The event will conclude with a Q&A session to address specific questions or comments from the audience.
Robert Negosian
MBA, PMP,
President & CTO,
U.S. HealthTek, Inc.
Haymarket, VA
Andy Moye,
PhD,
CEO,
Paige, AI Cancer Diagnostics,
Haymarket, VA
Greg Sorensen
MD,
CEO and Co-Founder,
DeepHealth, Inc.,
Haymarket, VA
LUNCH
12:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Networking Lunch
WORKSHOP
1:45 PM - 4:35 PM
Workshop: Laboratory & Pathology Merger & Acquisition Workshop
1:30 PM – 2:15 PM
Panel—Lab Valuation Trends: What Factors Drive High Values and Multiples in Acquisitions of Independent Labs, Genetic Labs, and Pathology Groups
Co-Chairs & Moderators: Richard Cooper, Christal Contini
Panelists: Chris Jahnle, Anil Asnani, Cory Roberts
Richard Cooper
JD,
Owner,
GIG Consulting
Chagrin Falls, OH
Christal Contini
Practice Chair. M&A,
McDonald Partners,
Cleveland, OH
Chris Jahnle
Managing Director,
Haverford Healthcare Advisors,
Radnor, PA
Anil Asnani
Senior Vice President,
Strategy & Corp Development,
Labcorp,
Burlington, NC
Cory Roberts
MD, MBA
CEO,
Sonic Healthcare USA,
Austin, TX
2:15 PM – 3:00 PM
Panel—Preparing for Sale: What Lab Owners Need to Know to Increase Value and Avoid Purchase Price Reductions
Chair & Moderator: Elizabeth Sullivan
Panelists: Jim Billington, Gary Huff, Kevin Hunter
Elizabeth Sullivan
Chair, National Healthcare Practice,
McDonald Hopkins,
Cleveland, OH
Jim Billington
CEO,
Versant Diagnostics,
Grapevine, TX
Gary Huff
President,
Take Charge, LLC.,
Hampstead, NC
Kevin Hunter
CEO,
Colaborate,
Tampa, FL
3:00 PM – 3:45 PM
Panel—Current Market for Hospital Outreach Transactions: Sales and Management Service Arrangements
Chair & Moderator: Christal Contini
Panelists: Noel Maring, Jeff Myers, Melissa Butterworth
Christal Contini
Practice Chair. M&A,
McDonald Partners,
Cleveland, OH
Noel Maring
Executive Director, Health Systems
Labcorp,
Washougal, WA
Jeff Myers
CPA,
Vice President, Consulting and Strategic Advisory Services,
Accumen,
Scottsdale, AZ
Melissa Butterworth
President,
Advanced Strategic Partners,
West Palm Beach, FL
3:45 PM – 4:35 PM
Panel—Business and Marketing Strategies for Genetic Laboratories in the Current Market
Chair & Moderator: Emily Johnson
Panelists: Patrick Walsh, Valerie Palmieri, Michael Vishnevetsky
Emily Johnson
Member,
McDonald Hopkins LLC,
Chicago, IL
Patrick Walsh
Managing Director,
Ziegler,
Nashville, TN
Valerie Palmieri
CEO/Founder,
Momentum Consulting,
Monroe, CT
Michael Vishnevetsky
SVP, Business Development,
Fabric Genomics,
Oakland, CA
BREAKOUT SESSION
1:45 PM - 2:35 PM
What’s New in Pathologist Productivity and Compensation Plus Boosting Profitability through Effective Negotiations with Hospitals and Payers
Robert Tessier
MPH,
Co-Founder and Panelist,
Panel of National Pathology Leaders,
Woodbridge, CT
Al Sirmon
Pathology Practice Advisors, LLC,
Pawleys Island, SC
BREAKOUT SESSION
1:45 PM - 2:35 PM
Opportunities with Clinical Lab 2.0: Adding Value and Creating Clinical and Operational Intelligence to Improve Health Care Delivery
James Crawford
MD, PhD
Professor and Chair Emeritus,
Northwell Health
Greenvale, NY
PANEL
1:45 PM - 2:35 PM
Panel: Emerging National Lab Networks Automate Reference Test Ordering/Resulting and Help Labs Generate New Revenue
Chair & Moderator: R. Scott Liff
Panelists: Steven Serota, Mehdi Maghsoodnia, Steve Box, Tim Pletcher
R. Scott Liff
MBA, MT(ASCP),
Owner/Principle,
LiffLabs,
Chagrin Falls, OH
Steven Serota
President and CEO,
Wisconsin Diagnostics Laboratories and Atalan,
Milwaukee, WI
Mehdi Maghsoodnia
CEO,
1Health,
San Francisco, CA
Steve Box
Global Business Development Director,
Labgnostic Inc.,
Los Angeles, CA
Tim Pletcher
DHA,
Executive Director,
MiHIN,
Lansing, MI
BREAKOUT SESSION
1:45 PM - 2:35 PM
Open Discussion: Draft LDT Rule, Harmonization of ISO 13485, Memo on Reclassification of Certain Assays, and More
Tim Stenzel
CEO,
Grey Haven, LLC.
Crystal, MN
BREAKOUT SESSION
1:45 PM - 2:35 PM
Why Lean Process Design Keeps Bronson Buzzing in Southwest Michigan
Joe Seestadt
Director of Lab Outreach,
Bronson Healthcare Group,
Kalamazoo, MI
BREAKOUT SESSION
1:45 PM - 2:35 PM
Is Your Hospital Lab At Risk? Proactive Ways to Educate Administrators on the Value of Lab Testing, Controlling Lab Data, and Improving Patient Outcomes
Jane Hermansen
Director,
Outreach and Network Development,
Mayo Clinic,
Rochester, MN
BREAKOUT SESSION
2:45 PM - 3:35 PM
Prepare Your Playbook to Obtain FDA Approval for Your Laboratory Developed Tests
Jane Pine Wood
JD,
Counsel,
McDonald Hopkins,
Dennis, MA
Sheila Walcoff
JD,
CEO & Founder,
Goldbug Strategies LLC,
Gaithersburg, MD
Valerie Palmieri
CEO/Founder,
Momentum Consulting,
Monroe, CT
BREAKOUT SESSION
2:45 PM - 3:35 PM
3:45 PM - 4:35 PM
Lab CIO and Informatics Roundtable
J Mark Tuthill
MD,
Division Head, Pathology Informatics,
HFH
Bloomfield Hills, MI
Lee Barnard
CEO and Founder,
LDx Healthcare Consulting, LLC,
Chapel Hill, NC
PANEL
2:45 PM - 3:35 PM
Panel: Developing and Enhancing Win/Win Relationships That Add Value to Key Payers and Health Plans in Your Region
Chair & Moderator: Karen McFadden
Panelists: John Norkett, Kathryn Stough, Clarisa Blattner
Karen McFadden
Retired SVP,
LabCorp,
Chapel Hill, NC
John Norkett
Vice President, Payor Solutions,
Labcorp,
Swarthmore, PA
Kathryn Stough
Principal,
K-H-S Solutions, LLC,
Albuquerque, NM
Clarisa Blattner
Senior Director of Revenue and
Payer Optimizations,
XiFin, Inc.
San Diego, CA
BREAKOUT SESSION
2:45 PM - 3:35 PM
Open Discussion: MolDx and Z-Code Update: Current Developments and What’s Coming Next
Gabriel Bien-Willner
MD, PhD
Dr.
Palmetto GBA,
Columbia, SC
BREAKOUT SESSION
2:45 PM - 3:35 PM
Healthcare’s Growing Need for Enriched Diagnostic Services: How Demand for Data, Increased Use of AI, and Genome Sequencing Advances Create Opportunities for Labs
William Morice
MD, PhD,
President & CEO,
Mayo Clinic Laboratories,
Rochester, MN
PANEL
2:45 PM - 3:35 PM
Panel: Out with the Old–In with the New: How Savvy IVD Marketers Are Converting Millennial Lab Buyers into Customers
Chair & Moderator: Deborah Hewett-Smith
Panelists: Bob McGonnagle, Bruce Carlson, Lynn Replogle
Deborah Hewett-Smith
Principal,
Talking Labs!
Spicewood, TX
Bob McGonnagle
Publisher, CAP Today,
College of American Pathologists,
Northfield, IL
Bruce Carlson
Market Research Consultant,
Eye on IVD Newsletter,
Fort Lee, NJ
Lynn Replogle
Senior Director,
Commercial Strategy & Market Access
Veranex,
Brooklyn, NY
BREAKOUT SESSION
3:45 PM - 4:35 PM
State of Laboratory Medicine and Histopathology in the United Kingdom
David Ricketts
DBMS,
Dr.
Sonic Healthcare UK
Essex, United Kingdom
PANEL
3:45 PM - 4:35 PM
Panel: Important Developments in Laboratory Legal, Regulatory, and Compliance Requirements
Chair & Moderator: Charles Dunham
Panelists: Danielle Sloane, Karen Lovitch, Keith Lefkowitz
Charles Dunham
IV,
Shareholder,
Greenberg Traurig,
Houston, TX
Danielle Sloane
Partner,
Bass, Berry & Sims,
Nashville, TN
Karen Lovitch
Partner,
Mintz,
Washington, DC
Keith Lefkowitz
Attorney,
Hendershot Cowart P.C.,
Houston, TX
BREAKOUT SESSION
3:45 PM - 4:35 PM
Open Discussion: CLIAC Committee Initiatives involving updates to CLIA regulations, Networking Clinical Labs with Public Health Labs, and More
Gregory Sossaman
MD,
Chairman, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine,
Ochsner Health System,
New Orleans, LA
James Crawford
MD, PhD
Professor and Chair Emeritus,
Northwell Health
Greenvale, NY
BREAKOUT SESSION
3:45 PM - 4:35 PM
Six-Figure Signing Bonuses and Ballooning Compensation Packages: Are These Outliers (or the New Normal) As Pathologist Demand Outpaces Supply?
Rich Cornell
President and Founder,
Santé Consulting,
Ellisville, MO
BREAKOUT SESSION
3:45 PM - 4:35 PM
Precision Oncology: Serving Urban, Suburban, and Rural Areas with Integrated Pathology, Imaging, and Precision Genomics Services
Lori Brisbin
VP, Precision Medicine-Texas Oncology; COO, Precision Health Informatics, LLC
Texas Oncology, P.A.
Dallas, TX
Trey Schuchart
Director, Precision Medicine Systems,
Texas Oncology,
Dallas, TX
GENERAL SESSION
4:45 PM - 5:30 PM
Regulatory Trifecta Coming Soon to All Labs! Anticipating the Federal LDT Rule, Revisions to CLIA Regulations, and Private Payers’ Z-Code Policies for Genetic Claims
Robert Michel
President,
The Dark Intelligence Group,
Austin, TX
Wednesday, May 1 (Top)
Don't Miss these Keynote Speakers!
Wednesday General Session — 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
GENERAL SESSION
9:30 AM - 9:55 AM
Global Perspective on Healthcare Data as the New Driver of Innovation in Diagnostics and Patient Care
Michael Simpson
President & CEO,
Clinisys, Inc.
Tucson, AZ
GENERAL SESSION
9:55 AM - 10:15 AM
Digital Pathology’s Adoption Curve in the U.S. and Globally and What’s Coming Next
Joseph Mossel
MSc,
CEO & Co-Founder,
Ibex Medical Analytics,
Brookline, MA
AM BREAK
10:15 AM - 10:35 AM
BREAK
GENERAL SESSION
10:35 AM - 10:55 AM
Bringing Artificial Intelligence into Diagnostics and Clinical Practice
Leo Grady
PhD,
CEO, Jona
Darien, CT
GENERAL SESSION
10:55 AM - 11:10 AM
Why the Stage is Set for AI in Healthcare and Diagnostics
Ajit Singh
PhD,
Managing Director,
Artiman Ventures,
Palo Alto, CA
GENERAL SESSION
11:10 AM - 12:00 PM
Fireside Chat: Exploring the Intersections and Opportunities with Big Data, Precision Medicine, and Artificial Intelligence in Diagnostics and Clinical Care
Chair & Moderator: Ajit Singh
Panelists: Michael Simpson, Leo Grady, Joseph Mossel
Ajit Singh
PhD,
Managing Director,
Artiman Ventures,
Palo Alto, CA
Michael Simpson
President & CEO,
Clinisys, Inc.
Tucson, AZ
Leo Grady
PhD,
CEO, Jona
Darien, CT
Joseph Mossel
MSc,
CEO &Co-Founder,
Ibex Medical Analytics,
Brookline, MA
Wednesday Morning — Management Master Classes & Benefactor Sessions
MASTER CLASS
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Leveraging Specialty Logistics, Kitting, and Enhanced Informatics to Improve Patient Care, Boost Physician Satisfaction, and Increase Lab Productivity
Sanjesh Sharma
VP, Operations,
Natera,
San Carlos, CA
Robin Hooker
Senior Vice President,
Sales & Marketing,
BioTouch,
Midland, GA
MASTER CLASS
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s Experience: Realising a Full Digital Pathology Solution Combined with Lean Workflow to Shorten Diagnosis Times, Improve Quality, and Boost Pathologist Productivity
Paul Chenery
Head of Quality, Training & Strategic Improvement Improvement within Pathology,
Nottingham University Hospital
NHS Trust,
Nottingham, England, UK
MASTER CLASS
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Achieving Certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist at the Age of 16: One Gen Z’s Journey, along with Insights on Educating Zoomers about Careers in Laboratory Medicine
Isak Schmidley
Clinical Laboratory Scientist,
Christus Health,
Coushatta, LA
MASTER CLASS
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Using Real-Time Analytics with AI to Align Clinical lab and Pathologist Staffing in Advance of Daily and Weekly Changes in Patient Demand and Test Volumes
Curtiss McNair, Jr.
VP/GM
American Oncology Network (AON)
Fort Myers, FL
John Moyer
Senior Product Director,
hc1,
Indianapolis, IN
MASTER CLASS
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Generating New Revenue Streams: Understanding the Role of Lab Data in Medicare Star Ratings and Risk Adjustment
Anthony Allegretta
Regional Vice President,
ChenMed,
Tampa Bay, FL
BENEFACTOR SESSIONS
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Data Innovations, Optum, Leica Biosystems, Clinisys
BENEFACTOR SESSION
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Data Innovations
Enhancing Clinical Pathology Efficiency: The Role of Instrument Manager in Epic Beaker Integration with Third-Party Middleware Solutions
Join us for an insightful session led by Ron Lum, Epic Beaker Enterprise Architect at Scripps Health, as he delves into the pivotal role of streamlining, simplifying, and optimizing technology to create efficiency in clinical pathology operations. Drawing from his expertise, Ron will share the fundamental concepts of communication between instruments, robotics, and LIS, and how simplifying these communications has a transformative impact on healthcare delivery.
In this session, attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of how Scripps Health leverages Instrument Manager in a dynamic synergy with Epic Beaker to streamline critical processes. Ron will pose the question: “Why complicate an already complicated system?” and evaluate the necessity of third-party middleware solutions in a rules-based setting driven by Instrument Manager and Epic Beaker.
He will detail the workings of automated systems for managed specimens, shedding light on:
- Specimen routing
- Critical result reporting
- Delta checks
- Processing errors mitigation
- Quality control mechanisms
- Downtime reporting protocols
You’ll leave this session empowered with cutting-edge strategies for enhancing efficiency and accuracy in clinical pathology as Ron Lum shares invaluable insights alongside Dan Zimmerman, VP Sales at Data Innovations.
Dan Zimmerman
VP, Americas Sales,
Data Innovations,
Colchester, VT
Ron Lum
Epic Breaker Enterprise Architect,
Scripps Health,
Colchester, VT
BENEFACTOR SESSION
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Optum
Is It Necessary? Lab Trends and Best Practices for Improved Outcomes
Topic Description: According to a recent article published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, between 20% and 40% of requested tests are deemed inappropriate1. Overutilization and inappropriate lab ordering have significant impacts on both the health of laboratories and patients alike. However, the good news is that by utilizing analytics and implementing a robust decision support system, labs can improve turnaround time, reduce risk, and enhance both clinical and financial outcomes.
In this session, we will explore laboratory ordering-appropriateness trends using exclusive data from CareSelect® Lab, a clinical decision support solution integrated with electronic health records (EHR). We will discuss how various hospitals, health systems, and outpatient clinics have successfully utilized laboratory specific-analytics and evidence-based criteria to make impactful changes through easy interventions and incorporate data-driven best practices into their strategies.
Learning Objectives:
- Utilize trends highlighted in the session to recognize areas of improvement within your lab.
- Explore the benefits of using analytics to leverage your providers’ ordering data against laboratory-appropriate use criteria to better understand ordering patterns and clearly identify misutilization trends.
- Gain insights into the strategies and approaches of organizations that have effectively employed these best practices to improve outcomes.
Kim Waren
Senior Strategist,
Optum,
Eden Prairie, MN
BENEFACTOR SESSION
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Leica Biosystems
Optimizing Your Digital Pathology Investment – A Discussion with the Experts
Digital pathology is becoming the new standard of care, transforming the practice of pathology with many laboratories now adopting this technology. Leica Biosystems invites you to discover how to optimize your digital pathology investment. Our distinguished panel of experts will discuss the latest trends and technological advancements driving digital diagnostics and improved patient outcomes; offering fresh insights on how to enhance workflow efficiencies, elevate diagnostic accuracy and create added value to your laboratory.
Eric Glassy
MD, Medical Director,
Affiliated Pathologists Medical Group,
Rancho Dominguez, CA
Sony Wirio
MD,
Regional Chief Pathology,
Southern California Kaiser Permanente,
Harbor City, CA
Claudine Alexis
Senior Clinical Administrative Director,
Northwell Health Laboratories,
Greenvale, NY
Bob McGonnagle
Publisher, CAP TODAY,
College of American Pathologists,
Northfield, IL
BENEFACTOR SESSION
7:30 AM - 8:20 AM
Clinisys
Make Sense of AI and What It Will Mean For Your Lab
In this session, we cut through the hype to understand what AI is and what it isn’t. We’ll discuss the key technologies involved and how they can be applied to address problems within the laboratory. Come gain an understanding of how investing in AI will benefit your lab, as well as where the potential pitfalls lie. This presentation will help you avoid risks, overcome challenges, and determine where to start!
Stacia Sump
Global Product Director of AI and Data Sciences,
Clinisys,
Tucson, AZ
MASTER CLASS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Expanding Your Lab’s Market Access: Leveraging Existing Contracts to Increase Covered Testing Services, Gain Provider Status with New Payers, and Negotiate More Reimbursem*nt
Heather Agostinelli
Vice President, Head of Specialty RCM,
XiFin, Inc.
San Diego, CA
Clarisa Blattner
Senior Director of Revenue and
Payer Optimizations,
XiFin, Inc.
San Diego, CA
Debbie Windsor
Strategic Partner,
MASTER CLASS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Hit Home Runs with Supply Chain Gainsharing & Effective Lab Stewardship Initiatives: New Tools and Analytics to Drive Down Supply Costs and Improve Physicians’ Utilization of Lab Tests
Lisa Daniel
MLS (ASCP) BB,
Director Corporate Lab Services,
Parkview Health
Ft. Wayne IN
MASTER CLASS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Collaborating with Pharma companies from Research to the Clinic – Strategies to create new business opportunities for your lab
Julie Ramage
Principal,
Harbor Precision Genomics Consulting,
Gig Harbor, WA
Jennifer Quigley
Sr. Director,
Global Precision Diagnostics,
Novartis,
Pittsburgh, PA
MASTER CLASS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Today’s Healthcare Consumption: The changing landscape of consumer interest and access to providers, testing and information
Brad Seybert
President/Founder,
My One Medical Source (MOMS),
Westlake, OH
Scott Madel
President,
Boston Heart Diagnostics,
Boston, MA
MASTER CLASS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Rapid Whole Genome Sequencing (rWGS): It Improves Patient Outcomes; Some Medicaid Programs Cover rWGS; and How It Generates an ROI for Children’s Hospitals
Michael Vishnevetsky
SVP, Business Development,
Fabric Genomics,
Oakland, CA
MASTER CLASS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
A Lab Big Data Work Success Story: Combining Lab, EHR, Operations, Financial, and Other Data Now Generating Real-Time Insights to Manage Costs, Improve Outcomes, Collect More Revenue
James Pepoon
Division Administrator, Pathology
Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, FL
Joshua Rivera
MBA,
Pathology Business Operations Director,
Moffittt Cancer Center,
Tampa, FL
BENEFACTOR SESSIONS
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Quadax, Telcor, Grace
BENEFACTOR SESSION
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Quadax
Panel Discussion: Effective Appeal Strategies and Technological Solutions for Increased Reimbursem*nt
No matter the testing method or stage of coverage for your products, claim denials are an unavoidable reality for any laboratory. Appeals are necessary to fight clinical and administrative denials from payers, as well as to rectify payer mistakes made during the claim adjudication process. Preventing and overturning claim denials serves as a key catalyst for boosting revenue and influencing payer behavior, whether by convincing them of medical necessity, influencing coverage policies, or recognizing contractual agreements. Laboratories often adopt a “one-size-fits-all” approach to managing claim denials, overlooking diverse strategies that can be employed based on various factors to ensure successful coverage from payers. In this discussion, we will delve into clinical denials, exploring the timing of appeals, what should be included in an appeal, how to meet payer requirements, and interdisciplinary collaboration within your organization to optimize the appeal process for reimbursem*nt success.
Appeals can also be a very laborious task for a billing team, with determining appeal requirements specific to each payer, managing multiple levels of appeals, crafting comprehensive appeal letters, and dealing with unresponsive payers. However, advancements in technologies offer promising solutions to streamline this process, and we will discuss and review proven techniques and innovative products aimed at reducing costs without jeopardizing reimbursem*nt.
Please join our team of experts, with over 60 years of combined experience in RCM, as we explore appeal strategies for optimizing reimbursem*nt through use of purpose driven analytics.
Chad Miles
Director,
Reimbursem*nt Management,
Middleburg Heights, OH
Tom Cronin
SVP,
Revenue Cycle Strategy & Analytics,
Middleburg Heights, OH
Mike Kovacs
SVP,
Client Engagement,
Middleburg Heights, OH
Phil Conard
SVP,
Solution Strategy and Support,
Middleburg Heights, OH
BENEFACTOR SESSION
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
TELCOR
RCM Business Intelligence: Are You Tracking the One Key Metric to Know if You’re Leaving Money on the Table?
Every RCM vendor provides revenue cycle reports of some kind. Maybe a dashboard view, maybe a month-end report, maybe a custom report. The dashboard may include colorful charts or impressive graphs. The reports may be directly from the application or from a third-party data warehouse. Are you tracking the one key metric to know if you are leaving money on the table?
As the reimbursem*nt landscape continues to change and more specific information is needed to effectively manage your revenue cycle, there are two questions to ask yourself. Am I getting the right information at the right time? Are my analytics helping me manage my business as effectively as it should?
Executives should not settle for subpar analytics or relying on “this is the way we’ve always done it” mentality. For the success of your laboratory, it is imperative to understand the key metrics every lab should be tracking. This includes knowing how your billing team is performing. Sometimes the effort isn’t worth the payout. Alternatively, you might be leaving money on the table, which could make a big difference. The question is, do you know?
During this presentation, laboratory executives will:
- Learn how payer requirements affect reimbursem*nt and show ways to determine if your processes are effective or if they need to change.
- Have insight into appeals to determine which are worth pursuing by understanding the cost versus success.
- For new labs, know what to track to set yourself up for maximum reimbursem*nt.
- For existing labs, how to identify opportunities for additional reimbursem*nt dollars.
- Realize how productivity reports provide deeper insight into operational costs and how this information can impact your overall profitability.
Sarah Stewart
Vice President Revenue Cycle Services,
TELCOR,
Lincoln, NE
Darla Wanitschke
Director of Customer Success,
TELCOR,
Lincoln, NEE
BENEFACTOR SESSION
8:30 AM - 9:20 AM
Grace Health Technology
Leveraging Advanced Technology to Overcome Laboratory Hurdles: A Path to Enhanced Efficiency, Financial Performance, and Scalability
Explore the transformative impact of technology on laboratory operations in the session, “Leveraging Advanced Technology to Overcome Laboratory Hurdles: A Path to Enhanced Efficiency, Financial Performance, and Scalability.” This session delves into how innovative technology integrations can revolutionize lab practices, enhancing efficiency, financial performance, and scalability.
Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry experts who will showcase real-world examples and practical strategies for maximizing operational effectiveness and financial viability. Tailored for laboratory professionals, this session offers actionable insights to overcome challenges and drive success in the competitive healthcare landscape.
Key discussion points will include identifying common laboratory hurdles while harnessing advanced technology for efficiency, maximizing financial performance, and achieving scalability and adaptability. Don’t miss the opportunity to gain valuable knowledge and enhance your laboratory operations.
Sapphire Villafana
Director of Business Development,
Grace Health Technology,
Delray Beach, FL
Ashley Adams
Executive Vice President,
Grace Health Technology,
Delray Beach, FL
LUNCH
12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Networking Lunch
BREAKOUT SESSION
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
A Winning Use Case for Digital Pathology
Esther Abels
CEO,
SolarisRTC, LLC
Boston, MA
BREAKOUT SESSION
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
Artificial Intelligence: Regulatory and other Legal Issues. A primer for Clinical Laboratories
Roger Klein
MD, JD,
Faculty Fellow,
Center for Law, Science & Innovation, ASU Law,
Beachwood, OH
PANEL
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
PANEL: Clinical Laboratory Certification and Accreditation: New Developments with CLIA, Most Common Deficiencies, and Making Your Lab “Assessment Ready”
Chair & Moderator: Nora Hess
Panelists: Carlyn Mathews, Denise Driscoll, Kathy Nucifora, Elia Mears
Nora Hess
MBA, MT (ASCP), PMP,
Senior Consultant,
Accumen,
Sarasota, FL
Carlyn Mathews
Clinical Program Manager,
A2LA,
Frederick, MD
Denise Driscoll
MS, MT(ASCP)SBB,
Senior Director,
Accreditation & Regulatory Affairs,
College of American Pathologists,
Northfield, IL
Kathy Nucifora
MPH, MT (ASCP),
Chief Operating Officer,
COLA Inc.,
Columbia, MD
Elia Mears
MS MLS(ASCP)SM,
Laboratory Field Surveyor – Laboratory Accreditation Program,
The Joint Commission,
Oakbrook Terrace, IL
BREAKOUT SESSION
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
Building the Diagnostic Center at UTMB for all of Healthcare
Michael Laposata
Professor and Chair of Pathology,
University of Texas Medical Branch – Galveston,
Galveston, TX
BREAKOUT SESSION
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
How labs can adopt AI / ML technologies Now to Drive Tangible Improvements in Care Delivery & Cost Reduction
Brad Bostic
Chairman & CEO,
hc1 Insights
Indianapolis, IN
BREAKOUT SESSION
1:30 PM - 2:20 PM
Preparing for the LDT Upheaval – One Company’s Experience with Regulatory Discretion
Don Rule
MBA,
CEO, Translational Software,
Mercer Island, WA
BREAKOUT SESSION
2:20 PM - 3:10 PM
Lab Automation’s Next Generation: Achieving ROI, Boosting Staff Morale, Slashing TAT, and Adding Value to Physicians and Patients
Jessica Isaac
MHA, MLS(ASCP)CM
Executive Director,
Pathology Laboratory,
IU Health,
Indianapolis, IN
PANEL
2:20 PM - 3:10 PM
Panel: Current State and Future Directions for Digital Pathology, from Histology and Scanning to Pathologist Workflow and AI-Powered Analysis of Whole Slide Images
Chair & Moderator: Esther Abels
Panelists: Lisa-Jean Clifford, Vaishali Pannu, Leo Grady
Esther Abels
CEO,
SolarisRTC, LLC
Boston, MA
Lisa-Jean Clifford
COO & Chief Strategy Officer,
Gestalt Diagnostics,
Spokane, WA
Vaishali Pannu
PhD,
Vice President – Digital Pathology,
Caris Life Sciences,
Phoenix, AZ
Leo Grady
PhD,
CEO, Jona,
Darien, CT
BREAKOUT SESSION
2:20 PM - 3:10 PM
Using ISO 15189: Medical Laboratory Accreditation to Advance Patient Care, Sustain Lab Staff’s Quality Culture, and Be CLIA inspection-Ready
Mike Baron
Executive Director of Laboratory Operations,
Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories
Milwaukee, WI
BREAKOUT SESSION
2:20 PM - 3:10 PM
Reenergizing your Performance Culture: Engaging Mindsets, Skillsets, and Toolsets
Linda McHale
MBA, MLS (ASCP)
Asst. Vice President, Lab Operations,
ACL Laboratories, Advocate Health,
Charlotte, NC
Shikha Dharamrup
Director of Lab Operations,
ACL Laboratories, Advocate Health,
Charlotte, NC
GENERAL SESSION
3:20 PM - 3:40 PM
Extracting the Important Lessons from the Executive War College 2024
Robert Michel
President,
The Dark Intelligence Group,
Austin, TX
Special Learning Opportunities
Choose From These
Exceptional Workshops (Back to Top)
Post-Conference Workshops
To see session topics and speakers, select the underlined title for that workshop
Thursday, May 2
WORKSHOP 1
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Whole Genome Sequencing and Genetic Testing for Community Hospitals
WORKSHOP 2
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Breaking Pathology’s Glass Slide Updated: Ways to Build Revenue
with Digital Pathology, New CPT Slide Scanning Codes, and More
WORKSHOP 3
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Lean for Lab Leaders: Proven Ways to Swiftly Slash Costs
While Boosting Productivity and Improving Staff Retention
WORKSHOP 4
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Prepare Your Lab for Era of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare and Clinical Diagnostics: AI Technologies, Applications, and Best Paths to Deployment
WORKSHOP 5
8:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Proven Ways to Turbocharge Your Lab’s Coding, Billing, and Collections Program to Generate Increased Revenue
