CABP Interview: Emily Wilson, BSMT(ASCP), CABP

The AABB Certified Advanced Biotherapies Professional (CABP) credentialing program evaluates a professional's knowledge across seven biotherapy domains, providing a standardized measure of knowledge, confidence in an individual's expertise and validation of that professional's abilities. Individuals who hold the CABP credential must recertify every three years to maintain active certification status. Emily Wilson shares her inspiration for becoming a CABP and the importance of maintaining certification.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

My name is Emily Wilson, and I have been the supervisor of the stem cell transplant and cellular therapy laboratory at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, N.C., since 2006.

How long ago did you become a CABP? What inspired you to pursue the certification initially, and what did you hope to gain from it?

I became a CABP with the original cohort in 2022. Until the CABP certification, there was not a nationally accepted rigorous exam that identifies professionals with extensive knowledge in the field.

How has holding the CABP certification impacted your role or career journey since passing the exam?

My institution considers the CABP certification an identification of top tier knowledge that sets us apart from our peers.

You recently recertified to maintain your CABP certification. How would you describe the continued value of being a CABP?

Continuing education requirements ensure the value of staying abreast in current topics. 

How does being a CABP benefit your team, organization and the field as a whole? 

For my team and organization, as well as the field as a whole, CABP certification is recognition of a high level of knowledge and service that we provide.

What advice would you offer to others who are considering pursuing CABP certification?

I would definitely recommend pursuing CABP certification; study guides available from the AABB website are wonderful studying tools. 

How do you see the role of CABP-certified professionals evolving in the field over the next few years?  

With the constantly changing landscape of transplant and cellular therapy, we need CABP certified individuals to help lead the way.