Speaker

Representation Matters...

This statement is true in so many facets of life. From the age of 12, I knew I wanted to become a physician. However, growing up as a little black girl from Gary, Indiana, I did not see physicians that looked like myself. As I persevered and my dream became a reality, I promised myself that I would accept any opportunity to tell my story and how it is possible to achieve one's goals. Through my journey I have come to appreciate that this representation extends beyond my phenotypical characteristics. The concept of "Representation Matters" extends to being a pathologist and a laboratorian. The act of getting from behind the microscope and working with fellow clinicians further dispels the perception that the laboratory is simply a "black box" where specimens go in and results come out. Due to this, ideas and efforts can be effectively communicated resulting in optimized patient care.

Oregon

University of California, Davis. Presentation discussing the career paths in microbiology. Microbiology…My First Love. La’Tonzia L. Adams. Virtual Zoom. December 2020.
VA Portland Health Care System. Interdepartmental Presentation to Executive Leadership and Internal Medicine Department. VA Portland Healthcare System 2020 SARS-CoV-2 Outbreak Sequencing Data. La’Tonzia L. Adams. Portland, Oregon. October 2020.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). ECHO (Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes) Project. Improving Blood Culture Quality Through Interdepartmental Communications. La’Tonzia L. Adams. Portland, Oregon. August 2020.
Bi-monthly Formal Medical Microbiology Plate Rounds: VA Portland Health Care System: April 2016 – present
VA Portland Health Care System. Interdepartmental Presentation to Surgical Staff. Help Us, Help You! Portland, Oregon. 2019.
Northwest Medical Laboratory Symposium: ASCLS Region IX. Syphilis Testing: Reverse Algorithm and Case Studies in Clinical Microbiology. Portland, Oregon. 2018.
VA Portland Health Care System. Lab Week 2017. MALDI-ToF MS: Once a New Frontier, Now Standard of Care. Portland, Oregon. 2017.
Northwest Medical Laboratory Symposium: ASCLS Region IX. Case Studies in Clinical Microbiology. Portland, Oregon. 2016.
Jason Lee Elementary School Career Day. Careers in the Laboratory. Portland, Oregon. 2016.
Oregon Health and Science University. Pathology Grand Rounds. Interesting Cases in Clinical Microbiology. Portland, Oregon. 2016.

Maryland

Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Practical Aspects of Microbiology: Respiratory Specimens. Baltimore, Maryland. February 16, 2015.

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Laboratory Identification of Bacterial Infections. Baltimore, Maryland. 2015.

Second Annual Pathology Educational Symposium September 29 – October 3, 2014. (Convener)

Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. So You Want to Be a Doctor? Baltimore, Maryland. July 29, 2014.

Indiana/Illinois

University of Illinois at Chicago Hospital. MALDI-ToF MS: The New Frontier of Microbiology. Grand Rounds, Department of Pathology. Chicago, Illinois. January 14, 2014.

Loyola University Hospital. Battle of MALDI-ToF MS. Maywood, Illinois. September 20, 2012.

Illinois Registry of Anatomic Pathology: Primary Hepatic Diffuse Large B-cell Lymphoma. Chicago, Illinois April 2, 2012.

Indiana University Undergraduate Research Conference in Science, Medicine, and Health Professions. Becoming a Physician. Gary, Indiana, April 16, 2010.

To date, I have presented, discussed, and taught subjects surrounding careers in medicine, pathology, and microbiology. In addition, I have been invited to speak on various medical conditions such as lipedema.

I eagerly welcome the opportunity to share my expertise and insight with everyone, especially the youth of the community.

Get in touch if you'd like me to speak at your event or conference.

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