Day 2 at the IBMS Congress was a day of success for Sonic Healthcare UK as the full exhibition element of the week finally opened to the public. It was a successful day for one of our poster competition entries.
Alan Wainwright.
Wendy Leversuch.
Talks and lectures continued from Monday’s programme with Sonic Healthcare UK once again sponsoring the education and training talks - this time held inside the impressive main hall. Talks included Gary Strong’s thoughts on how scientists and medics can learn how to increase their CPD opportunities by taking a leaf from other professions, whilst Alan Wainwright spoke about the new HCPC standards of proficiency and how it will effect the next generation of Biomedical Scientists.
Both David Ricketts and Wendy Leversuch spoke on behalf of the organisation during the afternoon. David’s talk “Don’t overlook me” discussed and recognised the skills and potential of support staff based within laboratories, whilst Wendy offered the large audience of student delegates advice on alternative career pathways within Pathology, spotlighting engineering and data analytics.
….More about Wendy later.
David Ricketts discussing the potential of support staff.
Professor Sir Jonathan Van Tam.
The keynote speaker of the day was Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Professor Sir Jonathan Van Tam. He understandably filled the 1,800 capacity main hall to discuss the “lessons identified” during the COVID-19 pandemic. He described his contributions to the UK Vaccines Taskforce and the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation as the work he is most “proudest” of throughout his career, and the immediate collaboration between scientists, commercial ventures, clinicians and the public was truly inspirational and vital in leading the UK away from the dangers of the pandemic. However, he struck a cautious note to remind delegates that there is still a lot we don’t know about potential variants, and signed off with a typical footballing nod to his beloved Boston United!
Delegates at the Sonic Healthcare UK stand.
Wendy Leversuch wins the poster competiton.
Away from the talks, the colourful trade show opened to delegates at 9am, with thousands taking the time to learn about the latest technologies and opportunities available to them across the industry.
Sonic Healthcare UK’s stand (302) was a continuous hive of activity with delegates often wishing to discuss the opportunities available across our network of UK laboratories. The first winner of the “Fitbit" competition was also drawn at 5pm on the dot, with delegates having to find the answer to the question somewhere on our stand.
Congratulations to our first winner James Griffiths who has won themselves a new Fitbit Luxe!
Finally, more news about Wendy Leversuch. Her entry to the Education and Training section of the poster competition won first prize!
Visit this news section tomorrow for our review of Day 3 at the IBMS Congress 2022.