Let’s Talk Antimicrobial Resistance, Stewardship, and Susceptibility Testing

Presenters:

• Heather Alvarez, MS, CLS(ASCP), Laboratory Manager, Prairie Ridge Health, Columbus
• Alexander Lepak, MD, FIDSA, Associate Professor of Medicine, Medical Director, Chair of the Antimicrobial Use Committee, UW Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health
• Rachael Liesman, PhD, D(ABMM), Director Clinical Microbiology & Molecular Diagnostics, Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratory, Milwaukee
• Erik Munson, PhD, D(ABMM),Assistant Professor, College of Health Sciences, Marquette University, Milwaukee
• Alana Sterkel, PhD, D(ABMM), SM(ASCP)^CM, Associate Director, Communicable Disease Division Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, Madison
• Virginia Pierce, MD, FIDSA, Pediatric Infectious Disease Physician, Clinical Associate Professor, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• Taylor Wahlig, PhD, D(ABMM), Technical Director of Microbiology and Molecular Pathology, Marshfield Clinic Health System, Marshfield
• Macy Wood, PhD, D(ABMM), Assistant Professor, Associate Director of Clinical Microbiology, Froedtert Health/Wisconsin Diagnostic Lab, Milwaukee
• Caitlin Cahak, MLS (ASCP)^CM,Microbiology Technical/Administrative Supervisor, Froedtert Health/Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratory, Milwaukee
• Megan Selle, MLS, M(ASCP), Microbiology Supervisor, ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, Neenah
• Will Laudon, BA, MB(ASCP), Microbiology Technical Specialist, Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratory

Description of Session:

In 2022, the WSLH hosted a WCLN Conference dedicated to the nuances and challenges of antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). Now, in 2025, we are revisiting the topic, building on the expertise presented then, and the technological discoveries and improved diagnostics of today to guide the discussion. This one-day workshop, dedicated to the laboratorians of the state of Wisconsin, will provide guidance and insight on this critical area of laboratory testing. This conference will open with a keynote presentation focusing on the dynamics of regulatory requirements, laboratory-developed tests (LDT), and established CLSI breakpoints. Once the scene has been set, we will dive in to talks regarding genotypic and phenotypic discrepancies in AST and a discussion panel focusing on FDA LDT and AST validations. Another keynote presentation regarding antimicrobial stewardship will help round out the morning. After the break, we will dive back in to the world of AST, starting with the choice of two breakout rooms: antimicrobial agent mechanisms and troubleshooting AST validation issues. We will conclude the conference with a talk highlighting the challenges with AST quality control and a Kahoot game. We will also be presenting this year’s Peter A. Shult award which identifies a remarkable laboratorian in the state of Wisconsin for their years of service and dedication to the field of clinical microbiology and the Wisconsin Clinical Laboratory Network.

A certificate of participation will be granted to each participant based on 5.5 contact hours of instruction toward credit.

This program is sponsored by the WSLH, which is an approved provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E. program.

As part of the new P.A.C.E. continuing education process, please go to the ASCLS CE Organizer web site to print your P.A.C.E. certificates. You will search for the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene programs under the “Other P.A.C.E. Programs” tab on the ASCLS CE Organizer web site. You will be asked for a code number to print the certificate. We will provide you this number during the webinar.

Please note that the deadline for receiving P.A.C.E. education credit for this webinar is April 1st, 2026.

Materials:

• Let’s Talk Antimicrobial Resistance, Stewardship, and Susceptibility Testing – Presentation
• Let’s Talk Antimicrobial Resistance, Stewardship, and Susceptibility Testing – Agenda