Medical Laboratory Science Day, Spring Convocation planned by College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions

South Dakota State University’s College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions will hold its Medical Laboratory Science Day and Spring Convocation and Awards Ceremony on Wednesday, April 15.

Medical Laboratory Science Day celebrates students and faculty in the medical laboratory science program at SDSU. The university offers an in-person Bachelor of Science in medical laboratory science as well as an accelerated online program enhanced by a one-week intensive summer laboratory experience.

Additional medical laboratory science programs include the Upward Mobility program, which allows current medical laboratory technicians to complete their bachelor’s degree in their workplace, and a phlebotomy certificate program.

Medical laboratory science is one of the highest-need health care career fields in the United States, with approximately 13,000 job openings nationally and only about 5,000 graduates available to fill them.

Medical Laboratory Science Day will be held at 10 a.m. April 15 in the Hobo Day Gallery in the University Student Union.

Casey Finnicum, a research scientist at Avera Genetics in the Avera McKennan Clinical Laboratory, will give a talk titled “Genomics in Action: Translating Genetic Science into Patient Care.” His presentation will explore the various projects and initiatives currently underway at Avera Genetics and how that research advances and supports improved health care.

An SDSU alumnus, Finnicum specializes in human population genetics and microbiome research, investigating how genetic and environmental factors influence health outcomes through advanced molecular genetic techniques.

Robert E. Braylock, principal and chief operating officer of BHK Consulting, will serve as the keynote speaker for the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions’ annual Spring Convocation and Awards Ceremony, which will be held April 15 from 2-4 p.m. in the Volstorff Ballroom. His presentation is titled “Your KSAs [Knowledge, Skills, Abilities] Can Address Health Disparities Today!”

“Individuals and communities have the solutions and strategies to address health disparities immediately and right where they live,” Braylock said. “I want attendees to leave this educational experience knowing that they themselves can address health disparities right now and right where they live. They don’t have to wait until they graduate college. They don’t have to wait until they get tenure. They don’t have to wait until they receive grant funding. They don’t have to wait until they earn certification. They can address health disparities today.”

College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions student organizations will recognize member achievements, and college awards for faculty and staff members will be announced following Braylock’s presentation.