Laboratory Testing To Be Topic Of International Symposium In Baltimore

COLA, a leader in accreditation,
education and consultation services, will convene its first International
Symposium July 30-August 1, 2006 to bring together key thought leaders who
share a passion for improving the quality of laboratory medicine.


The two-day symposium will explore a global vision for creating quality
in medical laboratory testing through cafe-style discussions and
presentations with the following speakers and themes:


- The Role of Laboratory Medicine in a World at Risk - Leslie Mancuso,
Ph.D., JHPIEGO and Susan Berger, Ph.D., Pfizer


- Looking Forward: Our Vision for Lab Quality Worldwide - Klaus
Stinshoff, Chair, ISO/TC 212 and Rosa Sierra Amor, Ph.D., Mexican
Association of Biochemistry


- Closing the Gap: What Must be Done to Achieve our Future Vision - John
C. Nelson, M.D., Past President, American Medical Association


- Building a Community of Action - Thuppil Venkatesh, Ph.D., Professor
and Head of the Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, St. John's
Medical College, Bangalore, India


COLA will also articulate its commitment to ISO initiatives and
standards scaleability and how they are critical to safe and effective
laboratory environments.


Dr. John G. Bartlett, M.D., Chief of Infectious Diseases at Johns
Hopkins University School of Medicine, will keynote the symposium at a
reception held Sunday evening. Bartlett will discuss avian flu crisis
management and other public health risks.


Additional participants of the International Symposium include public
health leaders from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services (HHS); industry leaders from the
World Medical Association and World Health Organization (WHO); and
government and industry leaders from Egypt, Southern Africa, India,
Singapore, Mexico, Thailand, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, and the U.S.


"Urgent public health crises including the avian flu, the recent
tsunami and the ever-looming threat of bio-terrorism have driven this call
to action worldwide," said Max Williams, Director of Policy and External
Affairs for COLA. "There is an extreme need for high-quality, accurate,
trusted diagnostic information to aid in the treatment of patients. Medical
laboratories are at a critical spot to support and respond to these global
health crises."


The International Symposium is an opportunity for COLA and the
attendees to meet and learn from one another to gain a collective awareness
and understanding of the unique and varying needs of different countries
and regions and prepare laboratories for the challenges ahead.


To learn more about the International Symposium, please visit
worldlabforum.


About COLA


COLA, completing over 33,000 laboratory surveys, is the premier
clinical laboratory education, consultation, and accreditation
organization. We are an independent accreditor whose practical, educational
standards have a positive and immediate impact. Our services enable
clinical laboratories and staff to meet U.S. CLIA and other regulatory
requirements, act in accordance with quality systems, and provide the best
possible patient care. For more information about COLA accreditation
services and educational products, and on-line educational opportunities
please call 800-981-9883 or visit COLA's Web Site at cola.


COLA

cola