Who
We Are
The
American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI)
is a not-for-profit association of clinical and research professionals
including immunologists, geneticists, molecular biologists, transplant
physicians and surgeons, pathologists and technologists. As
a professional society involved in histocompatibility, immunogenetics
and transplantation, ASHI is dedicated to advancing the science and
application of histocompatibility and immunogenetics; providing a
forum for the exchange of information; and advocating the highest
standards of laboratory testing in the interest of optimal patient
care.
Education
ASHI
provides many opportunities for continuing education. Annual
meetings each Fall provide members with the opportunity
to meet and exchange information. Plenary sessions are organized
to provide cutting edge material. Concurrent basic research
and clinical scientific sessions provide an opportunity for all members
to acquire knowledge and to interact with colleagues in their own
areas of expertise. Additional presentations include both oral
abstract and poster sessions. Educational workshops provide
lectures and interactive discussions on specialized topics. Exhibits of commercial products and information of interest to the
membership are also on display.
ASHI
Regional education workshops, held in the spring and early
summer, are designed to provide greater geographical accessibility
to continuing education for ASHI members. These annual workshops
are aimed at reinforcing topics selected from ASHI’s annual meetings
and meeting specific educational needs in the rapidly growing fields
of immunology and histocompatibility. One annual workshop is
held at an international location. These workshops also help
meet the continuing education requirements of the
American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics
(ABHI). ASHI members qualify for discounted registration fees
for the annual and regional meetings.
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Accreditation
Program for Histocompatibility Laboratories
ASHI
has established a laboratory accreditation program with the objective
of maintaining the highest standards of reliability and quality in
histocompatibility testing laboratories. Its purpose is to evaluate
laboratory personnel, procedures and facilities to determine if they
are in compliance with ASHI standards; to promote the education aspects
of the accreditation process, particularly in assisting laboratories
in the correction of deficiencies; and to maintain the society’s awareness
of standard and novel procedures and methodologies. Areas of
accreditation include: Stem cell/bone marrow transplantation; solid
organ transplantation; genetic identification, and typing for non-transplant
clinical purposes including transfusion.
This
voluntary program has accredited over 200 histocompatibility laboratories
worldwide and is administered by the Accreditation Review Board.
ASHI accreditation has deemed status with HCFA, JCAHO and UNOS.
Accreditation
of Training Programs for Histocompatibility Laboratory Directors
An
accreditation program has been instituted to review and approve laboratory
programs for training post-doctoral candidates to become histocompatibility
laboratory directors, and to review and approve portfolios from individuals
desiring certification as directors of ASHI accredited laboratories.
This program is designed to ensure consistent quality by evaluation
against established criteria for curricula, requisite facilities. The guidelines for selection of candidates and criteria for approval
of training programs are available in written format by contacting
the
ASHI Executive Office.
Proficiency
Testing
ASHI
conducts a
proficiency testing program for laboratories with active
clinical histocompatibility testing programs. Annual surveys
include modules for serological HLA-A, B, C typing, antibody determination,
crossmatching; and ABO grouping; serological HLA-DR, DQ typing, antibody
determination and crossmatching; DNA testing for HLA-DR, DQ, DP; DNA
testing for HLA-A, B, C; Flow cytometry crossmatching; B27 determination;
and engraftment monitoring.
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Standards
for Histocompatibility Testing
Standards
for Laboratory Testing have been established for the purpose of ensuring
that accurate, reliable and appropriate histocompatibility testing
are obtained. The standards establish minimal criteria, which
all histocompatibility laboratories must meet if their services are
to be considered acceptable. The standards are regularly reviewed
and updated by Committee on Quality Assurance and Standards and are
subject to public comment and final approval by ASHI Council.
American
Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ABHI)
ABHI was established to develop standards of competency and examine and
certify individuals in histocompatibility. The certification
process is designed to promote and measure a standard of knowledge
and competency desirable for medical laboratory personnel, encourage
professional growth and individual study, and formally recognize those
individuals who fulfill the requirements for certification.
Certification is available at three levels: the Certified Histocompatibility
Technologist (CHT), the Certified Histocompatibility Specialist (CHS)
and the Certified Laboratory Director (dip. ABHI). Examinations
are offered annually/biannually at several locations in conjunction
with ASHI’s annual meeting.
Human
Immunology
Human
Immunology is a monthly, peer-reviewed journal providing an exchange
of information and ideas on structural polymorphism of HLA genes in
healthy and diseased populations, their function, regulation and expression
in normal and malignant cells. The journal also publishes research
on the structure and function of molecules that play a role in the
activation and regulation of the immune response in patients with
transplants, autoimmunity, or infectious diseases. Subdisciplines
such as neuroimmunology, immunopharmacology and developmental and
reproductive immunology are included, as well as editorials and seminar
series on topics of general concern. Human
Immunology is published monthly by Elsevier Science Publishing
Company, New York. A subscription is included in the ASHI full,
institutional and sustaining membership categories.
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ASHI
Quarterly
The
ASHI Quarterly is a newsletter published four times a year
to communicate information regarding society activities and to provide
educational opportunities in the form of clinically relevant scientific
articles of interest to the membership. Issues addressed include
updates on accreditation, new government regulations, summaries of
the annual meeting and regional workshop sessions, new product updates,
literature review, and a classified section with position announcements
and educational opportunities. An ASHI Quarterly subscription
is included as a benefit in all membership categories.
Laboratory
Procedure Manual
The
Laboratory Procedure Manual is a comprehensive reference manual for
standard procedures and advanced techniques including Quality Assurance
used in histocompatibility laboratories. Each procedure is written
in the NCCLS format by recognized experts in the field. The
fourth edition of the Laboratory Procedure Manual, published in 2000,
is available in a 2-volume printed format or on a searchable CD-ROM. ASHI members may
purchase the manual at a reduced price.
Membership
Directory
ASHI’s
Membership Directory includes names, postal and e-mail addresses,
telephone numbers, and fax numbers of all members. It also includes
general information about ASHI, its programs, executive committee,
standing committees, the Bylaws, and the current Standards for Histocompatibility
Testing. A listing of national and international histocompatibility
laboratories is included for easy reference. The Membership
Directory is published annually.
For Members Only 
Click here to get to the Membership Directory
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The
ASHI Web Site
The
ASHI Web page on the Internet provides information about the organization,
its officers and activities. It provides resources of interest
to members of the HLA community, such as the sequences of HLA alleles,
a link to on-line access to Human Immunology, on-line ordering of
ASHI publications, a searchable version of ASHI’s membership directory,
employment opportunities, and links to related organizations.
It also contains a Digital Discussions section and the ASHI Technical
Hotline. Some Access to some areas of the web site are restricted
to members only. The URL for the ASHI Home Page is: http://www.ashi-hla.org.
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Membership
Categories
Full Members – Full Members shall be individuals who have shown evidence of continuing active involvement or expertise in a clinical histocompatibility or research laboratory, or in a laboratory performing work related to this field. An application for Full Membership shall be supported by at least two sponsors who shall be current Full Members of the Society. Full Members have voting privileges for the election of officers and are eligible to serve as officers or committee members.
Technologist Members –Technologist Members shall be non-doctoral and non-supervisory individuals in the fields of histocompatibility and/or immunogenetics who are new to the field or are not prior Full Members. Applications for Technologist Membership shall be supported by at least two sponsors who shall be current Full Members of the Society. Individuals are eligible to maintain this membership for a maximum of three (3) years. A Technologist Member shall be eligible to apply for Full Membership at any time s/he satisfies the qualifications for Full Membership. Technologist members are not eligible to vote, hold office or be a committee chair or vice-chair but may otherwise serve on committees.
Student/Fellow Members – Student/Fellow Members shall be individuals involved in, or who have shown interest in, the field of histocompatibility and/or immunogenetics. An application for Student/Fellow Membership shall be supported by at least two sponsors who shall be current Full Members of the Society. Individuals are eligible to maintain this membership for the duration of their status as a student or fellow with written documentation from their advisor. A Student/Fellow Member shall be eligible to apply for Full Membership at any time s/he satisfies the qualifications for Full Membership. Student/Fellow Members are not eligible to vote, hold office or be a committee chair or vice-chair but may otherwise serve on committees.
International Associate – International Associate Members shall be international individuals involved in histocompatibility and/or immunogenetics. An international individual is defined as anyone not residing and/or working in North America or U.S. Territories. An application for International Associate Membership shall be supported by at least one sponsor who shall be a current Full Member of the Society. An International Associate Member shall be eligible to apply for Full Membership at any time s/he satisfies the qualifications for Full Membership. International Members are not eligible to vote, hold office or serve on committees.
Institutional Membership – Laboratories, hospitals, universities and other institutions having interest in the fields of histocompatibility and/or immunogenetics are eligible for Institutional Membership. Institutional Members are not eligible to vote, hold office or serve on committees.
Emeritus Membership – Individuals who have worked in histocompatibility and/or immunogenetics and have contributed to ASHI. They must be retired from all employment and have been a Full Member of ASHI for more than 15 years. Emeritus Members are not eligible to vote, hold office or be a committee chair or vice-chair, but may otherwise serve on committees.
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Benefits
of Membership
- All members receive a subscription to the ASHI Quarterly, the President’s Newsletter and access to the on-line Membership Directory. All members except International Associates receive discounted prices when purchasing ASHI publications including the Laboratory Manual.
- All members are eligible for CE credits from the ASHI Quarterly quiz free of charge.
- All members are eligible for discounted registration fees at ASHI’s annual meeting and regional education workshops.
- All members have free access to ASHI University (a web-based text and video curriculum providing comprehensive standardized information on topics relevant to the fields of histocompatibility and immunogenetics).
- Full, Technologist, Student/Fellow & Emeritus members receive the additional benefit of an online subscription to ASHI’s monthly scientific journal, Human Immunology. A print subscription to the journal may be purchased for an additional fee of $30.
- Student/Fellow members will have a further discounted price for the annual meeting registration.
| BENEFITS |
Full |
Technologist |
Student/Fellow |
Internat'l Associate |
Emeritus |
Institutional |
|---|
| ASHI Quarterly, President's Newsletter, Membership Directory |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Discounted annual meeting registration |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Discount for up to 4 individuals |
|---|
| Discounted publications (i.e. Procedure Manual) |
Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Special recognition in the Membership Directory |
No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Eligible to hold office or serve as committee chair |
Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
|---|
| Eligible to serve on committees |
Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
|---|
| Eligible to vote |
Yes | No | No | No | No | No |
|---|
| Access to ASHI University |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
|---|
| Human Immunology on line |
Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No |
|---|
| Paper copy of Human Immunology |
$30 | $30 | $30 | No | $30 | No |
|---|
2007
Membership Dues*
| CATEGORY |
Annual Dues |
|---|
| Full | $126.00 (Doctoral)
$100.00 (Non-Doctoral) |
|---|
| Technologist | $40.00 |
|---|
| Student/Fellow | $40.00 |
|---|
| International Associate | $40.00 |
|---|
| Emeritus | $53.00 |
|---|
| Institutional | $630.00 |
|---|
