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congratulations - 2010 scherago-rubin award laureate

American Society for Microbiology Honors

Claudia J. Hinnebusch

Washington, DC—May 5, 2010—The 2010 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Scherago-Rubin Award is being presented to Claudia J. Hinnebusch, Medical Technologist, Bacteriology Laboratory, and Teaching Coordinator at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), in recognition of her excellent teaching and work at the bench. It was established by the late Sally Jo Rubin, an active member of ASM's Clinical Microbiology Division, in honor of her grandfather, Professor Morris Scherago.

Hinnebusch received her B.S. in Biology from Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA. Her scientific interests are the classification, identification, and clinical significance of the aerobic Gram positive cocci and Gram positive rods. She is known for being a natural teacher and for her dedication to the patient, student, and co-worker. She coordinates the bacteriology rotations for the medical technologists, and the pathology and infectious disease residents. Hinnebusch has trained more than 40 postdoctoral fellows who have rotated through the bacteriology laboratory. She has also presented numerous posters and coordinated workshops at ASM meetings.

The Scherago-Rubin Award will be presented during the 110th General Meeting of the ASM, May 23-27, 2010 in San Diego, CA. ASM is the world’s oldest and largest life science organization and has more than 43,000 members worldwide. ASM’s mission is to advance the microbiological sciences and promote the use of scientific knowledge for improved health and economic and environmental well-being.

pictures from SCASM’s 73rd Annual Meeting, 2009

Speakers:

     Margie Morgan, Ph.D. & Peter Ruane, MD     

          

President's Reception at Sea World:

         

Corporate Sponsors:

         

    

Exhibits and Attendees:

         

         

         

         

 

NEWSLETTER

Check out the SCASM January 2010 Newsletter for the latest news, events, and information. Special thanks to Betty Lindgren and contributors to the current newsletter.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

The last year and a half has been very exciting for SCASM. During 2008 we had several very successful meetings, keeping our commitment to the Southern California Microbiology community to provide high quality continuing education events. The Mycology and Parasitology workshops with Dr. Davise Larone and Lynne Garcia were well attended and received rave reviews. Our ever-popular Spring Symposia held in Burbank and San Diego were a success as usual.

At the end of June 2009 my 2007-2009 term as SCASM President will come to a close. It has been such an honor and privilege serving as President of this organization. I want to personally thank all those who helped volunteer for SCASM during the last year and a half. It is impossible to thank everyone personally, but our volunteer base is truly the backbone of SCASM. I believe our Annual Meeting at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines was one of the most successful ever. We also changed the look of our President’s Reception with a wonderful evening at the Scripps Birch Aquarium. We hope to do something similar at our 2009 annual meeting, which will be in La Jolla once again. In addition to our regular Spring Symposia we will also have an Anaerobe Workshop with Diane Citron on September 26, 2009. This will be an exciting opportunity for all of the anaerobic clinical microbiologists out there. More details will follow on that event.

One focus during my presidency was to increase our volunteer base within SCASM so we could bring new faces and new ideas to our organization. We continue to need support and help with the organization. I feel SCASM is a very gratifying organization to be involved in. Please contact one of the officers if you have any interest in helping out. I hope to see you all at some of the SCASM functions this year. Have a happy and safe 2009.

Susan Novak-Weekley, Ph.D.
President, SCASM


CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Janet Hindler, Councilor Elect, as recipient of the Certificate of Appreciation Award!

Why SCASM is Important in My Career and My Life . . .

I want to thank all of you for honoring me with a Certificate of Appreciation for my years of service to SCASM.
It is hard to believe that I joined SCASM over three decades ago. I still remember my first Fall meeting in San Diego as a young and naïve clinical microbiologist, excited by the opportunity to hear speakers who were leaders in our field and to meet other clinical microbiologists from throughout Southern California.

I soon realized that SCASM offered me a chance to develop as a professional and expand my career horizons. And so it did! In the 1980s I served on various SCASM committees and was an elected Board Member. Later I served as Treasurer and from 1991 to 1993 as President of the Branch. SCASM inspired me to do what I could to help our profession and it was a stepping-stone to my involvement in the National ASM.

One of my first formal presentations occurred at a SCASM event, and I am certain that the experience I gained with SCASM gave me confidence and courage to continue down that path. I can only hope that all of you realize how much SCASM has to offer you.

Beyond the meetings, newsletters, and student functions, perhaps the most noteworthy and rewarding aspect is the bond that SCASM members share with each other. It is difficult to quantify how much this alone impacts our lives, yet the effect is undeniable. So I encourage all of you to stay involved with SCASM, volunteer to help with various activities (we need volunteers!), and take advantage of all that SCASM can offer you.

Again, my heartfelt thanks for recognizing my service to SCASM, and for your many years of collegiality and friendship.

Janet Hindler, MCLS MT (ASCP)
Councilor-Elect

CONGRATULATIONS!

The following active SCASM members have been recognized with awards for excellence in service to SCASM:  

2006 - Maurice White, Ph.D., Anita Dolce
2007 - Dale Schwab, Ph.D., Lynne Garcia
2008 - Janet Hindler, Kathy Dickey
2009 - Susan Novak-Weekly, Mickey Amos

 

Congratulations to Lynne Garcia, recipient of the Sonnenwirth Award for Leadership in Clinical Microbiology

 

bioMérieux Presents 2009 Sonnenwirth Award for Leadership

in Clinical Microbiology to Lynne Garcia

Garcia to Give Accompanying Lecture during the American Society for Microbiology General Meeting on May 18 in Philadelphia

DURHAM, N.C. (May 18, 2009) – bioMérieux, a world leader in the field of in vitro diagnostics, is proud to announce Lynne S. Garcia, M.S., as the 2009 recipient of the bioMérieux Sonnenwirth Award for Leadership in Clinical Microbiology. The award will be given during the 2009 American Society for Microbiology (ASM) 109th General Meeting awards dinner on May 18. Given in memory of Alexander Sonnenwirth, Ph.D., the award honors a top microbiologist for his or her innovation in clinical laboratory science, dedication to ASM and leadership in the microbiology field.

Presented by ASM and sponsored by bioMérieux since 1986, the award recognizes the advancement of clinical microbiology as a profession. On May 18, as part of a scientific session, Garcia will deliver the Sonnenwirth Award Lecture titled, “Tropical Parasitology: Does This Make Sense?”

Currently, Garcia works as the director of LSG & Associates in Santa Monica, CA., and for many years was the microbiology laboratory manager at UCLA Medical Center. Recognized as one of the world’s experts in diagnostic parasitology, Garcia has been a leader in the field for more than 30 years. She has authored five editions of ASM’s Diagnostic Medical Parasitology and two editions of Practical Guide to Diagnostic Parasitology. She is editor-in-chief of Clinical Laboratory Management and Clinical Microbiology Procedures Handbook Updates, published by ASM Press. She has been the parasitology section editor for several editions of ASM’s Manual of Clinical Microbiology and has served on numerous ASM editorial boards, including the Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Microbiology Reviews, and Cumitechs.

“It is our great pleasure to honor Lynne Garcia with this year’s bioMérieux Sonnenwirth Award for Leadership in Clinical Microbiology,” said Herb Steward, executive vice president and general manager, bioMérieux North America. “Not only is Lynne Garcia a remarkable intellect in the field of parasitology, she is also a strong leader and mentor to others in the profession – we are happy to recognize such a deserving leader.”

Garcia’s leadership is also evident in her more than 200 publications, over 500 presentations globally, and volunteer activities. In addition to writing about the science, she has authored pieces on clinical laboratory practices, issues, and challenges. Garcia has served on ASM’s Council Policy Committee and was the president of the ASM’s Southern California branch. She was president of the Southern California Clinical Laboratory Management Association and the Southern California Society of Parasitologists and is an active member of the American Association of Bioanalysts, American Society for Medical Technology, and the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards.

Greetings,

I would like to extend my sincere thanks to SCASM for the lovely flowers at the ASM meeting on the occasion of my receipt of the 2009 bioMérieux Sonnenwirth Award for Leadership in Clinical Microbiology.  The flowers were lovely and much appreciated - many thanks again for the warm thoughts and kind wishes on the award.

Lynne Garcia

 

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