FACT Welcomes Many Esteemed Professionals to FACT’s Inspectorate, Continues Training Large Number of Inspector Trainees
By Janice Donoghue, Inspector Development Specialist
We are pleased to welcome many new members to the FACT inspectorate. FACT continues to add new active inspectors—professionals who have completed all training requirements and are now ready to perform on-site inspections independently. These professionals include:
Apheresis Inspectors:
- Dr. Andrea Tiemi Kondo – FACT Inspectorate
- Dr. Walter Linz – Oklahoma Blood Institute
- Dr. Aleh (Oleg) Bobr – University of Nebraska Medical Center / Nebraska Medicine Apheresis Collection Facility
Processing Inspector:
- Teresa Turner – University of Kansas Hospital Cell Processing Laboratory
Cord Blood Inspector:
- Dr. Elias Kalouche – FACT Inspectorate (Dr. Kalouche adds Cord Blood Banking and Cord Blood Collection qualification to his current inspector categories of Cord Blood Processing and HCT Minimal Processing)
We also had the pleasure of conducting FACT Inspector Training at the ASFA Annual Meeting on April 21st. Thank you to these inspector trainees for answering the call to serve their peers and promote safe, high-quality cellular therapy.
Last but not least, we are pleased to announce that our first two Community IEC accreditation inspections will occur in the third quarter of 2026. Current FACT inspectors were selected to serve as the first cadre of inspectors for this new accreditation offering, which includes targeted preparation and consolidated feedback to better support community-based Clinical Programs.
On June 25th, a Community IEC Inspection Preparation Session was facilitated by FACT President Dr. Navneet Majhail, FACT Chief Medical Officer Dr. Phyllis Warkentin, and FACT Director of Operations Suzanne Birnley. This session included:
- An overview of Community IEC programs and inspection considerations.
- Discussion of key differences and nuances inspectors should be aware of when evaluating these programs.
- Expectations and practical considerations for these inspections.
- An opportunity for open discussion and questions.
We appreciate the additional time and expertise the following inspectors are dedicating to Community IEC inspections:
- Carlos Bachier, Hospital Auxilio Mutuo Bone Marrow Transplant and Cellular Immunotherapy Program
- Bhagirathbhai Dholaria, Vanderbilt University Medical Center / Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System
- Helen Heslop, Baylor College of Medicine Stem Cell Transplant Program, Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital
- Chitra Hosing, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
- Premal Lulla, Baylor College of Medicine Stem Cell Transplant Program, Texas Children’s Hospital and Houston Methodist Hospital
- Joseph Lynch, Geisinger Cellular Therapy Program
- Folashade Otegbeye, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center Cellular Processing Facility
- Alejandro Sica, Montefiore Medical Center Transplantation and Cellular Therapy Program
- Priti Tewari, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center Stem Cell Transplantation and Cellular Therapy
- Basem William, OhioHealth Blood and Marrow Transplant and Cellular Therapy Program
