The Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA) will host its annual ThinkLab meeting on May 3-6 in Las Vegas. The conference, sponsored by Orchard Software, offers lab professionals an opportunity to participate in dynamic educational sessions, experience cutting edge technology on the exhibit hall floor and mingle with colleagues from across the country.

ThinkLab '10 will take place at the MGM Grand Las Vegas and, according to CLMA, offers ultimate convenience for attendees: the conference and the housing will take place in the same venue, meaning you'll spend less time shuttling from place to place and more time gathering information vital to help your lab succeed.

Lessons From an Identity Thief
Lab managers know the importance of treating patient data with care to ensure HIPAA compliance, as medical identity theft is a legitimate threat. Few know more about this type of fraud than converted identity thief Frank W. Abagnale, portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie Catch Me If You Can.

Abagnale, keynote speaker at ThinkLab '10, successfully passed $2.5 million worth of fraudulent checks in the U.S. and assumed at least eight separate identities, including an airline pilot, lawyer and a doctor. Upon his release from prison in 1974, Abagnale began helping the federal authorities against fraud.

Abagnale now owns his own fraud consultant company and still helps the FBI. You won't want to miss what's sure to be a captivating lecture from Abagnale that could offer some valuable insight to avoiding fraud and medical identity theft in your facility.  

Sharing a Body of Knowledge
In an interview with ADVANCE, CLMA President Anne Pontius noted another important part of this year's conference: introduction of the "Body of Knowledge." Based on the results from the 2008 Member Needs Assessment Survey, the educational content at ThinkLab is grouped into five broad areas representing the skill set a laboratory manager needs to be successful. These tracks are business management, operations management, relationship management, performance management and innovations/hot topics.

Pontius explains that these tracks will be applied to all CLMA educational events. The plan will be formally introduced by Pontius and ThinkLab '10 Committee Chairs Diana Mass and Sarina Rodriquez on May 5 at 4 p.m.

Work and Play Collide
Click here to listen to an audio interview with Pontius discussing how the organizing committee chose Las Vegas, the importance of attending ThinkLab, and more can't-miss sessions while you're there.

At least in this case, ignore the slogan, "What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas," and take your new knowledge, information and networking information back to your lab and see what improvements you can make.

Kelly J. Graham is associate editor of ADVANCE for Administrators of the Laboratory.