QuidelOrtho Science BYTES Podcast

The latest episode of QuidelOrtho Science Bytes explores how the overdose crisis has evolved from 2025 to 2026 and what these changes mean for laboratories and healthcare providers.

Host Josh Casey is joined by Vonda McAllister, Director of Global Product Management at QuidelOrtho, to discuss emerging drug trends, new ADLM guidance for toxicology testing and the growing challenges posed by counterfeit medications, polysubstance use and novel synthetic opioids.

This episode reinforces an important message: as the drug landscape continues to change, healthcare organizations must adapt testing strategies, strengthen collaboration and ensure clinicians have timely, actionable information to support patient care.

 

About Our Speaker: 

Vonda McAllister, director of global product management for QuidelOrtho

Vonda's diagnostic experience spans from R&D and program management to marketing. Now a member of the Point of Care business unit, she previously managed the Triage™ portfolio of assays and the clinical labs team for North America. Vonda is currently focused on supporting the global regions with our PlGF tests, that is, placental growth factor, and toxicology assays, as well as expanding the Triage toxicology and women's health testing portfolio. She also serves as global leadership co-chair for the QuidelOrtho Women's Leadership Network.

Our latest episode of QuidelOrtho Science Bytes explores hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) – a complex and often misunderstood condition that can have life-threatening consequences during pregnancy.

Host Michelle Mullens is joined by Bethany Weathersby, Founder of the Allo Hope Foundation, to connect diagnostic science with real patient experiences. Together, they explain how alloimmunization occurs, why many patients are unaware of their risk and how laboratory testing plays a central role in guiding care. 

The conversation reveals how gaps in awareness, inconsistent care practices and delays in acting on lab results can significantly impact outcomes. It also highlights the importance of patient advocacy and collaboration between laboratories, clinicians and patients to improve care pathways.

 

About Our Speaker: 

Bethany Weathersby

Bethany Weathersby serves as the Executive Director at The Allo Hope Foundation. She received her BS degree in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education at Jacksonville State University. She received her MEd degree in Curriculum and Instruction at Columbia International University and spent the next 15 years teaching ESL before transitioning into patient education and advocacy.

Bethany lives with her husband, Josh, and their five children in Tuscaloosa, AL. During her third pregnancy in 2013, Bethany was diagnosed with maternal alloimmunization (Kell antibodies) and her daughter was at risk for severe HDFN due to Bethany’s incredibly high titer. Bethany and her husband struggled to find the proactive medical care that Bethany and her unborn baby needed. Unfortunately, due to lack of monitoring and treatment, their daughter, Lucy, was stillborn just shy of 20 weeks. Determined to continue growing their family, Bethany partnered with two maternal-fetal specialists out of state who supported her throughout her next three pregnancies, helping the Weathersbys have the large family they had always wanted. In 2019, Bethany founded the Allo Hope Foundation to provide resources and support, and improve care practices for alloimmunized women and HDFN patients.

Our latest episode of QuidelOrtho Science Bytes addresses a public health paradox: while early-stage syphilis cases in the U.S. are declining, congenital syphilis continues to rise despite being entirely preventable.

Host Josh Casey is joined by Andrea Ott‑Vasconi, Director of Scientific Affairs and Regulatory at QuidelOrtho, to unpack CDC data and explain why missed or delayed screening during pregnancy is driving congenital infections. Together, they explore how syphilis testing works, when infections are being missed and why repeat screening is essential, especially later in pregnancy.

 

About Our Speaker: 
Andrea Ott-Vasconi, Director of Scientific Affairs and Regulatory at QuidelOrtho

Andrea holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and an MBA from New York University. Most recently, she earned a Master of Public Health from Imperial College London. With over 20 years of experience in the medical device industry, Andrea has worked in many different roles, including product development and clinical marketing. In her current role at QuidelOrtho, she manages a team responsible for the development of educational content, scientific publications and evidence generation. Andrea is passionate about increasing awareness of the clinical value of laboratory tests and their impact on improving patient outcomes.

Our latest episode of QuidelOrtho Science Bytes features Dr. Lindy Carlstrom, Global Medical Affairs Manager for Acute Care, unpacking how high-sensitivity troponin is reshaping early cardiac diagnosis, where seconds matter most.

From detecting heart injury earlier and reducing emergency department bottlenecks to improving equity in cardiac care with sex-specific cutoffs, this episode highlights how precision diagnostics are accelerating decision-making and improving patient outcomes. Dr. Carlstrom explains the power of serial testing, the importance of assay precision and why today’s emergency teams rely on high-sensitivity troponin to confidently rule in, or rule out, acute coronary events.

High sensitivity troponin is more than a test, it’s a critical link in a faster, safer, more informed cardiac care pathway. Tune in to learn how this powerful tool is helping clinicians deliver timely insight when it matters most.

 

About Our Speaker: 

Dr. Lindy Carlstrom, Global Medical Affairs Manager for QuidelOrtho

Lindy's clinical experience spans from emergency medicine to critical care and primary care. Currently, she's responsible for providing medical support for the QuidelOrtho acute care menu throughout the product life cycle. Lindy is passionate about clinical education, testing guideline updates and assay utilization to drive improved patient-centered outcomes.

Our 55th episode of QuidelOrtho Science Bytes features Michelle Mullens, Global Portfolio Marketing Manager for Transfusion Medicine, diving into the evolving realities of today’s blood supply, and why steady, year‑round donation is critical to modern healthcare.

From the constant demand driven by everyday trauma to climate‑related disruptions that strain regional inventories, shifting prehospital practices that rely heavily on universal blood types and the growing role of automation in stabilizing testing workflows, this episode explores the interconnected systems that keep patients safe. Mullens shares how donor habits, resilient infrastructure and smarter immunohematology platforms help ensure blood is available when and where it’s needed most.

Sustaining the blood supply isn’t just about meeting demand, it’s about building a resilient, connected system where donors, diagnostics and clinical care work together to protect patients every day.

 

About Our Speaker: 

Michelle Mullens

Global Portfolio Marketing Manager for Transfusion Medicine, QuidelOrtho

Michelle brings invaluable insight to both the science and human impact of blood donation. 
Before starting her career on the corporate side, Michelle was a Senior Medical Technologist at Baptist Health, serving in leadership roles for transfusion medicine and immunohematology. Prior to taking on her current role in the global business unit at QuidelOrtho, Michelle served as a technical specialist, business development consultant and clinical science liaison. With significant experience in the blood bank and as a trusted provider to the profession, Michelle brings a unique perspective to the conversation today.