Virginia Chapter Community

Hello everyone! 

I am incredibly excited to share that on May 8, we hosted students from the Maury High School Medical & Health Specialties Program for our second annual NextPo To Go!  Rachel Childs ran an activity on the diagnosis of various blood diseases.  Carlee Demeter presented Surgical Pathology cases to the students, with real specimens from the EVMS Pathology museum collection.  Joshua Manshala guided students as they stained slides and then tried to identify the tissue type under a microscope.  And rounding out our team this year, Amber Silva - a forensic Pathologists' Assistant - led an exercise on blood splatter where students got to make their own blood splatter (with fake blood) and then perform analysis!  I rounded out the group, acting as MC and leading the group through some icebreaker activities, like the ever-popular PPE race.  This year we also played "Who in the Medical Lab Do You Think You Are?" - a "Hedbanz"-like game where a few students had to guess their profession by asking only yes/no questions.  To prepare, all students were asked to review whatsmynext.org prior to attending NextPo To Go!

I have attached a few pictures from the event and hope this might inspire you to get your team together and host your own NextPo To Go!  When you do, please be sure to share your pictures!

Stronger Together,

Kerwin

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Kerwin Kolheffer MS, PA(ASCP)CM
ASCP Council of Laboratory Professionals
Associate Professor | Educational Coordinator
ODU Pathologists' Assistant Program
Norfolk, VA
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Thank you very much for sharing this excellent piece.

It is commendable. Were these college students or high school students? The good thing is that you let them have a hands on experience. That actually makes them more excited and motivating them to join our profession. Moreover you gave us an idea on what to do in recruiting future professionals.

Once again, thank you so much for your dedication.

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Pierre Bush PhD, MLS / Technologist (non-supervisory)
Washington DC
(732)484-0089
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-19-2025 14:26
From: Kerwin Kolheffer
Subject: NextPo To Go in Norfolk, VA - Episode II

Hello everyone! 

I am incredibly excited to share that on May 8, we hosted students from the Maury High School Medical & Health Specialties Program for our second annual NextPo To Go!  Rachel Childs ran an activity on the diagnosis of various blood diseases.  Carlee Demeter presented Surgical Pathology cases to the students, with real specimens from the EVMS Pathology museum collection.  Joshua Manshala guided students as they stained slides and then tried to identify the tissue type under a microscope.  And rounding out our team this year, Amber Silva - a forensic Pathologists' Assistant - led an exercise on blood splatter where students got to make their own blood splatter (with fake blood) and then perform analysis!  I rounded out the group, acting as MC and leading the group through some icebreaker activities, like the ever-popular PPE race.  This year we also played "Who in the Medical Lab Do You Think You Are?" - a "Hedbanz"-like game where a few students had to guess their profession by asking only yes/no questions.  To prepare, all students were asked to review whatsmynext.org prior to attending NextPo To Go!

I have attached a few pictures from the event and hope this might inspire you to get your team together and host your own NextPo To Go!  When you do, please be sure to share your pictures!

Stronger Together,

Kerwin

------------------------------
Kerwin Kolheffer MS, PA(ASCP)CM
ASCP Council of Laboratory Professionals
Associate Professor | Educational Coordinator
ODU Pathologists' Assistant Program
Norfolk, VA
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