CSMLS LABCON2017

June 15, 2017

Melanie Kenler has been a medical laboratory technologist (MLT) in hematology for almost 30 years. She presently works in immunology at St. Paul's hospital. In addition to working in the lab, she has been an instructor with the Medical Laboratory Assistant Program at Vancouver Community College (VCC) for the past 13 years. One of the courses she teaches at VCC is a Human Relations course in communication, a basic skills course teaching students how to "actively listen".

Melanie had the opportunity to share her knowledge as a speaker at the Canadian Society of Medical Laboratory Science's annual national conference LABCON2017. It was held in Banff, AB May 26-28, 2017. Her presentation was titled: "CODE WHITE...really?" The "Magic" of Defusing Hostility. There is a need in healthcare for professionals to have excellent communication skills. When people are facing sickness, pain and death, emotions run high. In her session the attendees learned how to de-escalate a volatile situation with ease by defusing hostility with empathetic hearing.

Melanie packed the room and fully engaged her audience in an exciting, relevant and well received education session.

Congratulations Melanie! Many thanks for contributing to the success of LABCON2017.