PEI hosts Casino Night

 Roslie Richard · May 3rd, 2012 · PE

On Friday, April 28 the Old Triangle was in party mode. 93 people attended the party, with Orlo Jones as guest of honor, who was from the first graduating class of PEI in 1949. She was presented with a dozen roses by Rosalie Richard, PEI rep for CSMLS. Bill Bylhouwer, Provincial Technical Director of Lab Services welcomed everyone and thanked the members for all their hard work and dedication over the years. Andrea Dowling, Vice President of PEISMT read a congratulatory message from CSMLS:

“To all of our PEI members, we wish you the best as you mark this milestone anniversary.  What began 75 years ago as a small group of lab technologists, is now a thriving national society, with over 14,000 members from coast-to-coast.  It has grown and evolved thanks to the tireless dedication of members like you.  Take time this evening to celebrate those who paved the road before us and those currently driving the profession forward.  You are the present and future of the society, and we know that it is in capable hands.  Enjoy this evening and know that we are all celebrating with you in spirit.”

Carolynn McCarville , President of PEISMT drew a ballot for Free LABCON Registration, to be held in Gatineau, Quebec June 1-4, donated by the PEISMT. The winner was Judy Fitzpatrick. Members enjoyed appetizers and got to play the casino tables . A slide show presentation entitled “The Way We Were” was enjoyed by all. Many door prizes were given out and prizes for the best costume were won by Margaret MacPhail, Christina Pocnic, and Monty Hennessey. Many retirees attended and reminisced with members. A good time was had by all.

Many thanks to everyone who helped me make this night a success.I would like to thank CSMLS and PEISMT for hosting this event. I would also like to thank the generous donors of door prizes. Thanks to Delta Hotels, Abbott,  Roche, Siemens, ThermoFisher, Beckman Coulter, Dade Behring,  BD Diagnostics, ProLab, CSMLS, Alere, Precision Biological, IUOE, Bath&Body, Vessey Seeds and Old Triangle. Please enjoy the pictures!

 

Win a Free Registration to LABCON!

 Roslie Richard · April 11th, 2012 · PE

The countdown is on to Casino Night in PEI!  Make sure to attend on Friday April 27th!

Deadline to register is April 20 at rarichard@ihis.org

It’s going to be a fun night.  PEISMT has generously donated a FREE Registration to LABCON2012 being held June 2 -4 in Gatineau, Quebec which will be drawn the night of April 27th, as well as other door prizes, including an E-reader, gift certificates to local restaurants, a weekend away for two at Delta Hotels and many more.

Come out on Friday, April 27 at the Pour House in Charlottetown and try your luck at the tables while reminiscing with your  fellow lab techs. Dress up in costume (optional) à la Vegas style. We have a lot to celebrate – 75 years of dedicated, hard work … you all deserve a party!

 

How Times Have Changed!

 Roslie Richard · March 16th, 2012 · PE

Lorraine Gillan (on left of picture) graduated in 1950 and Agnes MacDonald (on the right) graduated in 1952. These ladies are the pioneers of laboratory technology in PEI. I was honoured to be able to sit down with them as they shared many funny stories of a day in the lab many years ago.

Training began by Dr. Shaw in the early Fall of 1946 in PEI and the first  two graduates were Margaret MacLennan and Joyce MacPhail.  Dr. Frank Jelks arrived from England in 1948 to initiate new techniques and to teach the future classes. He was shocked to see what the lab consisted of  (2 microscopes, 1 colony counter, analytical balance, cold room and sterilization room).

Lorraine recalls when she was a student being sent to Souris Hospital to start up a lab and study for the C.S.L.T registration exams. Basic equipment was a centrifuge, bunson burner, analytical balance, microscope and Grey-Wedge Photometer. Reagents and Standards had to be made. Controls were very often her own blood or that of a curious but willing donor, mostly a nurse.  (AND WE THINK WE HAVE STRESS!)

Agnes recalls how pregnancy tests were done. They would inject a frog with urine from the expected mother and if the frog layed eggs within 48 hrs the patient was considered pregnant. (No controls run I expect!)

A visit to the slaughter house provided the blood for blood agar plates and beef heart for infusion broth. There was a large number of active pulmonary tuberculosis cases in our province. There was no protective equipment (no gloves or masks) worn. No wonder quite a few technologists did contract the disease back then. They made all their own pipettes by heating and drawing out the hot glass tubing and then polishing the ends. ” We sterilized and washed all our dirty glassware – an endless job”. Needles for blood collection were washed, cleaned with a stiletto of fine wire, and points were sharpened, all barbs removed and then autoclaved.

This may sound like ancient history, but PEI was still in the grasp of prohibition at that time, and this did much to generate activity in the lab. To enforce the liquor act, the RCMP had to make spot checks in the provincial liquor stores, seize bottles of liquor and bring to the lab to be sure each contained the amount of alcohol specified on the labels, and would return for the reports that they would use in their court cases. “At times when a number of bottles had to be analyzed the lab smelled like a brewery. From these tests we learned the best moonshiners, who made the strongest and whose samples were very unappetizing due to contamination with foreign bodies. “ 

World War II brought an increase in the numbers of cases of veneral diseases. To combat syphillis, compulsory testing was a requirement on all hospital admissions, newborn babies, pre-marital couples, and all recruits into the Armed Forces.  Patients that were positive were given treatment.  This proved to be very effective in halting the spread of the disease.

I asked them how much their salary was . Lorraine recalls getting $33 a month when she was a student. Agnes remembers her first cheque was $126 a month. A new technologist starts at $200 a day! Yet they tell their stories with a smile on their face. They are good memories and were the cornerstone of our profession.

The miles we have come in 75 years!  No other profession has advanced in technology as Medical Laboratory Science. We have a lot to be proud of.

A BIG THANK YOU to Lorraine and Agnes for sharing your stories with us.  It makes us appreciate what we have today!

Guest Interviews

 Roslie Richard · March 9th, 2012 · PE

What does 75 years of CSMLS  mean to you?

Ms. Carolyn Mccarville , President of PEISMT, quotes ” It’s amazing to look back and see what the CSMLS has accomplished, from raising the profile of  Medical Laboratory Professionals in the public to ensuring a competent and quality workforce in Canada. Major changes in the CSMLS in recent years have increased my trust in them as being our leaders and spokespeople for all Medical Laboratory Professionals in Canada as they continue to work for our members diligently. ”

Why did you get involved in planning for PEI’s 75th celebration?

Ms. Andrea Dowling, Vice-President of PEISMT, quotes ” I was fortunate to have taken part in the celebration at Congress in 1987 for the 50th Anniversary. It was very exciting – it seemed the party lasted all week. The fact that CSMLS is a viable, strong organization after 75 years is something to celebrate! I feel priviledged to be able to do my part to help our province celebrate this accomplishment. CSMLS is extremely important to us as a small province as we rely on their resources for education and public relations. The CSMLS has been there for us for 75 years!”

Stay tuned for my next blog “A  Trip down Memory Lane” with Lorraine and Agnes (2 MLTs who graduated in 1951 and 1952, respectively)…. Oh, how times have changed!

 

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