Who’s Next? Practical Strategies for Succession Planning in Blood Centers and Transfusion Services

Saturday, October 17, 2026

9:30 AM - 10:30 AM EST

Room: B405

Speaker(s)

Sheri Goertzen, MLS(ASCP)BB, CLS(CA), CQA(ASQ)

Supervisor, Transfusion Service
Valley Children’s Hospital and Healthcare
Fresno, California
Eva Quinley, MS, MT(ASCP)SBB, CQA(ASQ)

Healthcare Professional
Quality Focus, Leadership
Knoxville, Tennessee

Program Chair(s)

Jean Stanley, MBA, MLS(ASCP)SBB, CMQ/OE(ASQ)CQA

Healthcare Consultant
Quality Focus
Moraga, California

Proposed Session Description: The aging workforce of medical technologists and laboratory scientists presents a growing challenge for transfusion services and blood centers nationwide. Many laboratories anticipate the retirement of experienced technical specialists and supervisors within the next several years. Without intentional succession planning, organizations risk losing critical institutional knowledge, technical expertise, and leadership capacity.

Proactive leadership development is essential to maintain operational continuity and uphold high standards of quality and patient safety. This session will highlight practical strategies for identifying and developing emerging laboratory leaders. Through real-world examples, participants will learn how to establish mentorship programs, structure knowledge transfer, and implement targeted training that prepares staff for expanded technical and leadership responsibilities.

Attendees will leave with practical tools to develop succession plans that strengthen workforce sustainability, support quality programs, and ensure the effective transition of expertise to the next generation of transfusion service and blood center professionals.

Learning Objectives:

Assess workforce demographics and anticipated retirements to identify potential leadership and expertise gaps.
Develop a structured succession planning process to support the transfer of technical knowledge and leadership responsibilities.
Implement mentorship, training, and competency programs that prepare staff for advanced technical and leadership roles.
Apply strategies to engage and retain the next generation of laboratory professionals while transitioning key responsibilities, including quality program oversight.