Christine Bales to Retire as AABB’s Vice President, Global Impact
March 05, 2025
Christine Bales, BS, MLS, I (ASCP) CQA (ASQ), an expert in blood banking and transfusion medicine quality, will retire as AABB’s vice president of global impact on March 7. With more than 30 years of experience in laboratory medicine, donor centers and hospital-based transfusion services, Bales has played a key role in strengthening transfusion practices worldwide.
Bales began her career in the blood community as CEO of the St. Louis National Testing Laboratory for the American Red Cross and then transitioned to CEO of the Missouri-Illinois Region. She would later hold leadership roles at Donor Dialogue, St. Louis University and Ceders-Sinai Medical Center.
Since joining AABB in 2011, Bales has led AABB’s global efforts to expand accreditation and process improvements. Her work led her to more than 25 countries, where she helped national blood transfusion services and local partners to implement quality management systems and blood safety initiatives. She also championed AABB’s
Quality Certificate Program, a certification available to blood centers and transfusion services outside of the United States that recognizes their commitment to a culture of quality and excellence.
“Christine’s dedication to quality and safety in transfusion medicine has left a lasting impact on AABB, the blood community and patients worldwide who depend on a safe and available blood supply,” said Debra BenAvram, CEO of AABB. “Her expertise, leadership and commitment to excellence have impacted thousands of lives, and we are grateful for her years of service.”
Outside of her role at AABB, Bales served as both an AABB assessor and a CAP inspector. In 2022, the Asian Association of Transfusion Medicine recognized Bales with an Individual Excellence Award for her contributions to transfusion medicine at a transnational level.
In retirement, Bales will continue to engage with the blood community as an AABB consultant.
