Earn 1 SCHECH credit for joining!
Title:
Brief description:
In this dynamic session, you’ll see inside the world of the medical laboratory through two powerful lenses. Dr. Mirza will guide you through a lesson based on a simulated hematology patient journey - from initial symptoms to diagnosis - illustrating how each stage of testing builds on performance expectations from the Framework for K-12 Science Education.
Then Karen Barron will open the door to the high-demand careers that make this work possible, highlighting the diverse roles in the medical laboratory and the opportunities for students to join this vital, life-saving workforce.
You’ll leave equipped to make science more relevant, exciting, and inspiring for your students – while showing how their learning can directly improve and even save lives.
Learning Outcomes:
Karen Barron MLS (ASCP) is a Medical Laboratory Scientist and Allied Health Education Manager for the Michigan Medicine Department of Pathology. She visits schools and collaborates with educators to raise awareness of medical laboratory services and professions. She also coordinates internships and facilitates continuing education and professional development for Pathology Allied Health staff which include Phlebotomists, Medical Laboratory Scientists, Histotechnologists, and Pathologist’s Assistants.
Dr. Kamran Mirza, MBBS, PhD, MLS (ASCP) is a Hematopathologist and Director of the Michigan Medicine Pathology Division of Training Programs and Communications. Dr. Mirza co-founded PathElective.com, a free educational website in pathology, American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Virtual Pathology Grand Rounds, the PathPod podcast, the PATH_SIG virtual pathology student interest group, www.hemereports.com, and the Digital Communications Fellowship in Pathology. Dr. Mirza's advocacy for pathology, patients, and trainees is highlighted on his social media channels (X: @KMirza, lnstagram and TikTok: @KamPathDoc).
Welcome to the 2026 MSTA Annual Conference!
More details about the agenda, event day details and keynote speakers will be coming soon!
Hotel Information (Radisson Kalamazoo):
CLICK the link below to book your room by February 11, 2026:
Radisson Hotel Booking Link
Notes:
The Radisson Hotel is where all conference sessions will be hosted except for off-site field trips and the Awards dinner
Overnight self-parking is discounted to $10/night
Valet parking is available at our standard rate of $30/night, before tip
Cancellation Policy:Cancellations and refund requests must be submitted to events@msta-mich.org and received no later than February 17, 2026. You will receive a full refund minus $25 administrative fee.
There will be no refunds for any reason after February 17, 2026. No Shows: If you do not cancel in writing by the above date to MSTA and do not attend, you are still responsible for payment.
Written notification of substitutions must be submitted to events@msta-mich.org and received by February 17, 2026. No penalty fee will be assessed for substitutions.
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