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Serving the community for over 35 years.

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Summer 2010

South TexasBlood & Tissue Center

In this issue: Obtaining certification in blood banking Honoring Brooke Army Medical Center Achieving the highest standards Celebrating World Blood Donor Day

New CEO Plans to Build on Strong FoundationKevin Land, M.D., has arrived! The new President/CEO and Medical Director of the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center (STBTC) is on board, succeeding longtime President/CEO and Medical Director Norman Kalmin, M.D., who is now overseeing QualTex Laboratories.

More Than a Decade of ExperienceDr. Land has more than a decade of experience in pathology and blood services. At Bonfils Blood Center in Denver, CO, he served as the first Chief Medical and Scientific Officer before coming to STBTC. He provided strategic and operational leadership as well as medical and scientific direction related to blood services and products, laboratory testing, donor collection and counseling, hospital relations, expansion of new business and services and clinical research.

Returning to TexasPrior to Bonfils, Land served as medical director of Blood Systems Laboratory in Bedford, Texas and medical director of laboratory services for Carter BloodCare in Dallas. He also served on the faculty in the pathology department at UT Southwestern.

Building Blocks for a Great FutureHe is enthusiastic about the potential he sees at STBTC, noting, “This organization’s assets are many, including its people, many of whom are long-term. STBTC has financial and regulatory strength and a history of success and integrity. It has all the building blocks for a great future: healthy donor relationships, cellular therapy, tissue, research and develop-ment. It is exciting that this community is so supportive of what’s happening here.”

Time for a New FocusNow, he says, “It is time to focus on internal support services, donors, recipients and hospitals to strengthen relationships and ensure we are running a lean, efficient operation. We must constantly refresh our business units and aggressively tighten our belts so we can keep our prices low, stay competitive and work in partnership with the hospitals we serve.”

“We can always do it better”Dr. Land adds, “We have the skill sets and experience to maintain the highest quality and excellence, to take advantage of opportunities for providing new services in new ways, to strive for technological advancements and to consolidate for greater efficiency. Every organization needs to remember that it’s a never-ending job to keep improving. No matter how awesome we are at doing something, we can always do it better. That is the essence of continuous process and quality improvement.”

Continued on page 3

Dr. Kevin Land and Dr. Fernando A. Guerra, Director of Health of the San Antonio Metropolitan Health District, discuss

future partnership opportunities.

Dr. Kevin Land

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Dennis Stahl (Chair)Michael Beldon (Vice Chair)John Feik (Secretary)Darryl Waldron, PhD (Treasurer)Susan EhrmanYasan Gooding, PhDRobert (Wayne) Hilliard, PhD

STBTC’s Board of DirectorsNorman D. Kalmin, MDKevin J. Land MDCharles Lerner, MDBlanca Molina, MDMargaret Peters, MDBill Rasco, FACHEKaren Stiefel, PhD, FACHE

Hello. This is my first article as President and CEO of South Texas Blood & Tissue Center. I am passionate about patients and people. That is probably why I gravi-tated to blood banking. Through working with donors, employees, hospitals, physicians and other healthcare professionals, students, patients and community leaders, I have many opportunities to interact with others. The job is turning out to be everything I hoped it would be. I am surrounded by great people. In talking with the staff, I find that many of them have been working for STBTC a long time and firmly believe in our overall mission. I see smiles on their faces as they talk about their jobs and how they help save lives every day. I hear how, even outside of work, they are drawn to looking out for others. They have servants’ hearts. This is going to be a great place to work. Our mayor, city council and business leaders have echoed that San Antonio has been resilient in the economic crisis, yet has not been entirely immune to its effects. In addition, healthcare reform is transforming how health-care is funded and how it is accessed by patients. We know that as part of the healthcare industry, STBTC must work with our hospital partners to determine safe, effective, and sufficient solutions at affordable pricing that together provide the best possible patient care. Every patient is someone’s mom, dad, brother, sister, son, daughter or best friend. Our goal is to provide for every patient the exact same level of quality and service that we would expect for our loved ones. What is good for San Antonio’s patients will be good for STBTC. In The Innovator’s Prescription, Harvard Business College’s Clayton M. Christensen and co-authors remind us: “The

problems facing the health-care industry actually aren’t unique” (page xix, Introduction). In nearly every indus-try, products and services are initially very expensive and accessible only to those with sufficient resources. At some point, however, those products and services become more affordable and accessible. Computers, for example, used to be expensive and so big they took up entire floors of build-ings. Large companies and universities would be fortunate to have just one. Now, nearly everyone has a personal computer, laptop, and/or phone more powerful than those early computers. Working with our healthcare partners in new and creative ways will be key to helping develop af-fordable access to healthcare. We at STBTC provide unique products and services. Depending on how we are viewed, we may be seen as a non-profit organization; a large healthcare employer that provides technical and non-technical jobs, training, and education to employees and citizens all across our region; a biopharmaceutical manufacturer; an internationally rec-ognized ISO-certified biotech company; a small research institution; and large laboratory testing facility through our affiliation with QualTex Laboratories; or an extremely large volunteer organization. We are honored to be all of these. This diversity of services tells the story: STBTC is committed 2 community and not simply satisfied with traditional business 2 business (B2B) type interactions.

As I get to know the partners who make it possible for STBTC to impact the community in so many profound ways, I am in awe of the potential we have to make South Texas healthcare an enviable model for other communities to emulate. Through a committed partnership with our hospital customers, donors, legislative and business officials, supporters, board and staff, we have the founda-tion to deliver on the dream.

byKevin J. Land, MD

President/CEO and Medical DirectorSouth Texas Blood & Tissue Center

Committed 2 Community

Dr. Land and management met for an informal time of team building and planning.

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Lifetime Careers, Launching PadDuring an economy that is seeing high unemployment and layoffs around the country, Dr. Land says, “Our goal is to stick together as a family and efficiently deliver services that require the skills of every employee. Many people came to the Center right out of high school or college and they were trained on the job to do important work that has led to life-time careers. Others use their training as a launching pad to pursue careers in medicine and science. STBTC is proud of all our employees. They are our greatest resource.”

Out-Deliver PromisesThe staff is creatively brainstorming ways to improve effi-ciencies and keep prices down for customers. Dr. Land says, “They have come up with some great ideas that will help us out-deliver promises we made to our customers…and that’s our goal.”

Academic, Professional CredentialsDr. Land earned his bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from the University of North Texas in Denton and completed his medical degree and residency in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medi-cal Center in Dallas. He completed a fellowship in medical informatics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore and transfusion medicine at Parkland Memorial Hospital/Carter BloodCare. In addition, Land currently serves as chair of the America’s Blood Centers’ scientific, medical and technology committee and the AABB’s Donor Biovigilance working group. He is also past chair of the Texas Medical Associa-tion’s Blood and Tissue Usage Committee. Land is married to Dr. Melissa Land, and they have four children.

South Texas Blood & Tissue Center, QualTex Laboratories and the Texas Cord Blood Bank were audited by 28 na-tional and international bodies last year. According to Pat Cappelli, STBTC Quality Director, “Because our services are under such intense, ongoing scrutiny, it is not possible to prepare for each audit; rather, we stay in continual compliance with the most stringent standards so that we are always prepared.”

Audits were performed by European and Asian authorities as well as the American Association of Blood Banks, National Marrow Donor Program, American Association of Tissue Banks and the US Federal Drug Administration, to name a few.

Constant compliance means STBTC customers can expect the highest quality products at the best possible price. “A question we pose to our staff is this: ‘Would you be com-fortable if someone you loved were receiving this product?’ And that is one more step in ensuring that we are constantly aware of the importance of excellence, quality and compli-ance,” Cappelli says.

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QualTex Laboratories UpdatePlans are on target and on budget to establish the satel-lite facility for QualTex Laboratories in Georgia that will replicate all testing services available at the San Antonio headquarters. An initial staff of 21 will move in by the end of October to organize, receive equipment and prepare for state and federal inspections. In the first year of operation, another 30 skilled lab professionals will be hired, and over five years, the staff is expected to grow to 110.

Twenty-eight Annual Audits: Achieving the Highest Standards

Lab technician Lindsey Carrillo

prepares an antibody report for a client.

Collaborative Education Program Urges Scientific StudyThanks to a unique collaboration of the University Health System, STBTC, and UT Health Science Center, three students are working on completion of a Specialist in Blood Banking (SBB) certification.

Every year, the program accepts applications from qualified candidates who have a bachelor’s degree and at least one year of experience in Immunohematology or a Blood Bank laboratory.

At a time when many college graduates are finding it challenging to get a job, the graduates of the SBB program are faced with a differ-ent dilemma: Which job to accept in a field that is actively seeking qualified candidates. “There is a huge demand throughout the country for medical technologists with a Specialty in Blood Banking Certifica-tion,” according to Linda Myers, Executive Vice President of QualTex Laboratories.

The program is elite, accepting just two new students each year. Classes, labs and lectures are onsite, hands-on and dynamic. Upon completion, the graduates are well qualified to pursue an exciting career track. Tuition, uniquely, is free of charge – offering a rare opportunity for advancement in a lucrative field at no cost to the student. For details, see www.sbbofsa.org.

STBTC’s support of the program at University Health System helps keep quality training programs alive – a critical component for the future of the blood banking industry. It offers broad career prospects for science majors and is another example of how STBTC works collaboratively with the healthcare community.

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Tissue Services Honors BAMCBrooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) has partnered with the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center for 12 years, creating awareness of the need for tissue donors through its new employee orientation. BAMC is committed to this program because

it understands how the tissue from one donor can help up to 50 patients live healthier, fuller lives. Many BAMC patients, including soldiers wounded in battle, offer powerful testimony to the benefits of tissue in healing.

STBTC staff visits BAMC monthly to help train new hires and educate them on how tissue is used to help patients, the process of donation and the role they are playing as healthcare providers. Every month, some 60-100 new nurses are educated through this partnership.

Tissue Services honored BAMC for its dedication to patients, for offering the option of tissue donation and for bringing those services to their patients, along with bereavement services. In a special ceremony on June 16, BAMC was presented a plaque and a birdbath.

Everyone is encouraged to register to become a tissue donor at www.donatelifetexas.org.Mary Beth Fisk, Executive VP of STBTC, presents the tissue awareness plaque to

Colonel Martinez of BAMC.

Christine Bernal (above) and Phung Luong (below) study complex antibody identification as part of their specialty program.

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School is in Session and Youthful Donors are Ready!

If you hear adults mumbling about today’s youth, here’s a fact you can throw out to thwart their argument: High school teens represent 18% of STBTC’s total blood donations! Last year, when the minimum age for donors was lowered to 16, STBTC saw over 5,000 16-year-olds step up and give blood for the first time! All schools are proving that today’s young adults are eager to give to their communities – to help a stranger, save a life and stand proud.

STBTC will celebrate our region’s youth with big, noisy High School Kick-Off celebrations in San Antonio, Laredo and Victoria. We will announce the high school competition that gives young adults a chance to earn scholarships for their schools, build school spirit and support community blood needs.

Blood Services

When asked to write an essay for his company newsletter about why he donates blood, Leo Moreno’s answer was simple: “I want to help people.”

“That answer seemed too simple,” Leo wrote. “However, the more I thought about it, I real-ized, what other reason is there to donate blood, but to help people?”

“We all need to give to the community. Giving blood is an easy way to do that.”

STBTC and 408 friends celebrated World Blood Donor Day on June 18 by forming a giant human blood drop at Alamo Stadium. Participants donned red T-shirts, kept hydrated in the June sun with water and ice packs and cheerfully went into formation. It was a true com-munity collaboration to create awareness of the worldwide need for blood donors to save lives. Thanks to all who showed up, to our media friends for their coverage of the first-time event and to all who followed the action on MySpace, Facebook and Twitter.

Giant Blood Drop

Life Link Leo Moreno

Cord Blood News

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TCBB adds New Hospital Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Allen joined the Texas Cord Blood Bank (TCBB) as the next hospital in the state to collect life-saving cord blood donations. Known as Texas Health Allen, it is the first hospital in Collin County and the second in North Texas to join the effort.

Carla Chila, director of Women and Infant Services at the hospital, emphasized the benefit the TCBB offers to patients who utilize the new service. “In the event your child requires cord blood treatment, it’s critical that it comes from a diverse source,” she said. “Collaborating with the Texas Cord Blood Bank and its network of donor hospitals is just the right thing to do for our patients.”

Collections are sent along with a completed nine-page maternal history to the TCBB in San Antonio where the blood is processed and tested within hours of arrival. Once the donated unit meets all quality criteria, it is stored and made available for search by transplant centers. The TCBB distributes a unit when a match is found for a patient in need.

Since 2005, TCBB has collected, processed and stored over 7,300 units and provided units for transplant to patients for treatment of cancers that include leukemia and lymphoma, disorders of the blood-making system such as sickle cell anemia and severe immune system disorders.

Spreading the Word

The Blood and Tissue Center Foundation board member Barbara Gentry is heading a new Leadership Development Commit-tee to raise awareness of the Texas Cord Blood Bank. Gentry and her commit-tee are formulating strategies that will enhance awareness and funding for the TCBB to ensure that the innovative treat-ment potential of cord blood will continue to expand and save lives.

Mary Beth Fisk (center) recently led community leaders on a tour of TCBB. Thomas Stephenson, Dr. George Burkholder, Neill Walsdorf, Bartell Zachry, Barbara Gentry, Sam O’Krent

Colonel Raymond Holmes is a delightful man with a positive outlook on life, a proud history of service to his country and two units of umbilical cord blood from two mothers and their babies.

Diagnosed in 2000 with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, his chemotherapy treatments kept his cancer in remis-sion for five years. Then it returned with a vengeance. He sought in vain for a bone marrow match. Ray said, “As an African-American, it was like searching for a needle in a haystack.”

After receiving his cord blood transplant, Colonel Holmes carries their gift of life in his blood and carries them all in his heart.

“My prognosis is good,” he says, and he is thankfulevery day for his heroes - two babies and their moms.

Life Link Colonel Raymond Holmes

The 7th Annual Red and White Ball will be held on Saturday, October 9 at the Marriott Rivercenter. The Ball co-chairs are Kim and Dr. Michael Fischer and Beverly and Dr. Fernando A. Guerra. Entertainment will be provided by the Rick Cavender Band.

For more information, visit www.southtexasblood.org/redandwhiteball.asp Skinner & DeeAnn Simpson and Kim & Dr. Michael Fischer at the 2009 Ball.

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Give2Live Blood DriveBlood donations: 712Marrow: 77Tissue: 72

Edward Davila, Sr. smiles as he makes his life-saving donation.

Victoria Television Group Blood DriveBlood donations: 86

Promotional Blood Drives May - August 2010

Hill Country Blood DrivesBlood donations in May: 247Blood donations in July: 222

Frequent Donor Blood DrivesBlood donations: 289

Blood Bout Blood DriveBlood donations: 33

Holiday Heroes Blood DriveBlood donations: 495Marrow: 21Tissue: 18

Border Media Blood DriveBlood donations: 86

A Hearty Nod to Our Media Friends

Where would we be without them? Throughout South Texas, TV and radio stations and print media supporters generously give of their time and space to promote blood drives. It’s a huge, invaluable partnership that keeps donors informed of blood drive dates and locations and educated on community health crises. They help out in summer and during the holidays when blood needs expand while giving decreases. They keep our mission alive … and we are humbled by their generosity and grateful for their partnership. Thanks, everyone!

Telemundo Blood DriveBlood donations: 48

The Rose Blood DriveBlood donations: 42

Non-ProfitOrganizationU.S. Postage

PAIDSan Antonio, TXPermit No. 1420

6211 IH 10 W.San Antonio, TX 78201

Donor RoomsSan Antonio:

Pavilion: 6211 IH 10 WestNortheast: 8527 Village Drive, Ste. 106Shavano: 4079 N. Loop 1604 W., Ste. 102Southeast: 3158 SE Military Dr., Ste. 104Westover Hills: 10555 Culebra, Ste. 107

Victoria: 1109 Sam Houston Dr New Braunfels: 651 N IH 35, Ste. 830Visit our Web site for current hours of operation:

www.southtexasblood.org

qualtexlabs.org bloodntissue.org/texascordbloodbanksouthtexasblood.org

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marrow.orggivetexaslife.org

Serving the community for over 35 years.

MARROW AMBASSADORS

Golf TournamentDNA

Driving For Donors

Golfers and all who support the life-giving work of marrow/stem cell transplants, are invited to the 16th Annual Marrow Ambassadors Golf Tournament, “Driving for Donors.” The tourna-ment will take place on Friday, October 15 at the Blackhawk Golf Course in Pflugerville, TX. Net proceeds from the tournament directly support human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing and testing.

If you’d like to play in the tournament or be a sponsor, visit us online at www.southtexasblood.org/bethematch.asp.

The “We Are the Answer” outreach section of our Web site has been revamped for easier navigation. The site introduces you to community leaders who take an active role in promoting “We Are the Answer” blood drives and marrow registrations to help develop STBTC’s rare blood donor program for sickle cell patients with specific blood needs.

Locate the pages by going to www.southtexasblood.org/minority_outreach.asp.

Register for the Upcoming Golf Tournament