Meet Our Volunteers

Volunteer Spotlight and Member Highlights

Exciting news! AABB’s Professional Engagement Program will be showcasing all of the great work our members do for AABB and the world at large.

Our PEP Volunteer Spotlight will consist of a short Q&A with one of our members published each month in AABB News. Our members play an integral role here at AABB and we want to share their accomplishments.

Member Highlights can be any volunteer accomplishment directly involved with AABB and will change as new highlights are added. These highlights may range from publications, committee work, webinars and everything in between!

We are currently soliciting names of individuals to showcase for the coming year in either our Volunteer Spotlight or a Member Highlight capacities. If you or a fellow AABB member are interested, please email us at PEP@aabb.org.

AABB Volunteer Spotlight on Jerry A Holmberg PhD, MS (Clinical Laboratory Science, Pathology), MT(ASCP)SBB

President and Founder, Maven Blood Consultants

How long have you been an AABB member?

I have been an AABB member since 1982.

In which AABB volunteer activities are you currently active?

I am an active volunteer with the AABB Foundation, contributing for approximately eight years. During this time, I have served on the Foundation’s Research & Development Summit planning committee, responsible for organizing the annual R&D Summit at the national meeting. In addition I have served on the AABB Foundation Process Development Grant review committee.

In which have you participated?

Over more than forty years as an AABB member, I have volunteered in various programs and committees. In the first two decades, I served as an accreditation assessor during the transition to quality system assessments. For over ten years, I contributed to the Information Systems Committee and the North American Technical Advisory Group of the ICBBA as ISBT 128 was adopted. Additionally, I served on the Education Program and Hemovigilance Committees for several years. In the past 8-10 years, I have been active with the AABB Foundation.

I also served as a at large director on the AABB Board of Directors from 2019 through 2023.

What motivates you to volunteer?

I began my career as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist and Blood Bank Specialist, initially joining AABB to engage with colleagues and contribute to advancements in the field. During the early years of the HIV epidemic, I recognized the pressing need for improved blood testing and quality systems, which motivated my involvement in policy development and collaboration with subject matter experts within AABB. My volunteer efforts are primarily dedicated to enhancing the safety and availability of blood and biotherapy for patients in need.

How has your volunteer work impacted your professional work?

As I advanced in my role, I became increasingly involved in interdisciplinary collaborations aimed at donor selection, enhancing laboratory standards and patient safety. My exposure to the challenges of the HIV epidemic underscored the importance of rigorous testing protocols, spurring me to participate in national discussions and working groups on best practices. Through AABB, I was able to share innovative solutions, benefit from mentorship by seasoned professionals, and present research at conferences. These experiences not only shaped my expertise in transfusion medicine but also fueled my commitment to continuous improvement in healthcare outcomes.

What have you learned from volunteering with AABB? And what advice would you give to someone interested in volunteering?

My volunteering with AABB has connected me with others who have supported my professional growth and expanded my views. These experiences deepened my understanding of blood and biotherapies and sparked my passion for improving safety and availability.

What is your favorite food?

Asian infused dishes