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College of Applied Science and Technology

Mrs. Meridee Van Draska

Associate Professor
Health Sciences
Office
FSA Felmley Hall of Science Annex 334
Office Phone
(309) 438-8269office
phone
Email
mrust@ilstu.eduemail
  • About
  • Education
  • Awards & Honors
  • Research

Biography

I earned my undergraduate degree at Illinois State University in Medical Technology. I worked in a laboratory for 11 years first as a generalist and later in microbiolgy. After earning my masters degree, I returened to Illinois State to teach in the MLS program. In 2002 I became program director for MLS.

Current Courses

317.001Clinical Hematology II

319.001Clinical Immunohematology II

301.001Introduction To Coagulation & Hemostasis

105.001Medical Terminology

398.001Professional Practice: Medical Laboratory Science: Biochemistry

398.001Professional Practice: Medical Laboratory Science: Hematology

398.001Professional Practice: Medical Laboratory Science: Immunohematology

398.001Professional Practice: Medical Laboratory Science: Microbiology

398.001Professional Practice: Medical Laboratory Science: Serology

398.001Professional Practice: Medical Laboratory Science: Urinalysis & Body Fluids

317.001Clinical Hematology II

261.001Introduction To Clinical Hematology

261.002Introduction To Clinical Hematology

261.003Introduction To Clinical Hematology

398.001Professional Practice: Medical Lab Science: Special Studies

Teaching Interests & Areas

Hematology Coagulation Blood Bank Microbiology

Research Interests & Areas

MLS Education Hematology Microbiology

MS Health Service Administration

University of St. Francis
Joliet, Illinois

BS Medical Technology

Illinois State University
Normal, Illinois

2022 Impact Award

University College
2022

Outstanding Service Award

Department of Health Sciences
2008

Outstanding Service Award

Department of Health Sciences
2003

Member Recognition Award

Illinois Clinical Laboratory Science Association
2000

Red Tassel/Mortar Board faculty recognition

Red Tassel/Mortor Board
1999

Member Recognition Award

Illinois Clinical Laboratory Science Association
1999

Omnicron Sigma

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
1997

Distinguished Service Award

Illinois State University Wellness Program
1997

Member Recognition Award

Illinois Clinical Laboratory Science Association
1997

Omnicron Sigma

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
1996

Journal Article

Van Draska, M. Copyright in the Digital Classroom. Journal of Allied Health (2003)
Kneller, P., & Rust, M. Personal Cups in Hot Beverage Vending Machines. Dairy and Environmental Sanitation (1992)

Written Case with Instructional Material

Johnson, D., Barham, B., & VanDraska, M. Case Study: Another Bad Bug. Journal of Continuing Education Topics & Issues 21.3 (2019): 64-70.
Webster, K., VanDraska, M., & Barham, B. Now There Are Five. Clinical Investigations - American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (2018): 20.
VanDraska, M., Barham, B., & Webster, K. Hard To Swallow. Clinical Lab Investigations (2017): 15.
Webster, K., Van Draska, M., & Barham, B. Reality Bites and So Do Dogs. Clinical Investigations/American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (2015)
Webster, K., VanDraska, M., Barham, B. (2015). Reality bites – and so do dogs. American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, Clinical Investigations: Case Studies for Laboratory Professionals.

Presentations

Time for a Tune-Up?. Clinical Laboratory Educators' Conference. American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. (2024)
Characteristics of Professionalism in Healthcare. AMT Annual Meeting. American Medical Technologists. (2019)
Practical Solutions for Clinical Professional Practice. AMT Annual Meeting. American Medical Technologists. (2019)
Use of On-Line Evaluation of Professional Practice. ASCLS-IL Annual Meeting. ASCLS-IL. (2016)
Strategies Used by a University-Based Medical Laboratory Science Program to Identify and Retain Clinical Affiliates. American Society for Clinical Pathology Annual Meeting. American Society for Clinical Pathology. (2013)
IL. Center for Teaching, Learning, & Technology Annual Teacing Symposium. Center for Teaching, Learning, & Technology. (2012)
Too Little, Too Late (TL2): Breaking the Cycle. Teaching and Learning Symposium. Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology. (2012)
When Departments Approach the Teaching Evaluations. Teaching and Learning Symposium. Center for Teaching, Learning and Technology. (2011)
Hematology Students Go Back to Kindergarten. Clinical Laboratory Educators' Conference. American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. (2009)
Teaching Strategies that Go Beyond the 21st Century. Clinical Laboratory Educators' Conference. American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. (2002)