Volume 36 Number 5 | October 2022

This recognition celebrates an ASCLS member who has made significant contributions to ASCLS at all levels. This is the eighth year for this award. The recipient will have made significant contributions to ASCLS as well as the laboratory field, and who, by example, has inspired others. There were four nominees this year including Nadine Fydryszewski, New Jersey; Carol Golyski, New York; John Koenig, Missouri; and Patricia Tille, South Dakota.

The 2022 ASCLS Lifetime Achievement Award was awarded to Dr. Patricia Tille.

Pat’s tenure with ASCLS has spanned all levels of the organization. She started out her career in ASCLS as a student forum representative at both the state and the regional levels. She quickly got more involved on her constituent society’s state annual meeting committees and eventually became chair of the state meeting committee. She also became involved in regional meeting committees as well. Over time, Pat got more and more active on state, regional, and national level committees, too numerous to mention.

Pat served as the president of ASCLS-South Dakota two times, in 2003 and 2013, and was the president elect again in 2021. She also served on the regional level on the President’s Council. Pat was a member of the ASCLS Board of Directors, serving as the Region V director from 2015-2018.

Pat has been on numerous state, regional, and national committees, including serving as the national scientific assembly coordinator, the Education & Research Fund, Inc., Board chair, Alpha Mu Tau president, and many others. Pat has been awarded numerous honors, including Professional Achievement Award, CLS Distinguished Author, Gloria Gilbert Memorial Award, and others.

Pat has developed and presented countless presentations at all levels of the Society and in partner organizations as well. She is an educator who has presented on ways in which to develop students and faculty alike, but she is also a scientist whose passion for microbiology and molecular science has been ever proven over the past several years as an expert on COVID-19 … even though all that expertise couldn’t keep her from catching that darn virus herself!

Pat’s nominators wrote that, “Pat is a transformative leader in the field of medical laboratory science. She is a content expert on COVID-19 and has been recognized and interviewed by regional television news stations to educate the public on COVID-19, vaccinations, and immunity to help the world make informed decisions. Pat embraces professionalism, collegiality, diversity, and involvement in ASCLS and the profession.”

Pat epitomizes the ideals of the ASCLS Lifetime Achievement, which is to honor someone who has made a difference in ASCLS and the profession. She inspires others to be future leaders by helping people see their potential and motivating them to step out of their comfort zone. She operates from a place of love, generosity, compassion, and wisdom to help others achieve their goals. She has touched the lives of thousands of students, educators, and clinical professionals throughout their career.

The ASCLS Awards Committee will begin accepting nominations for 2023 ASCLS Awards this winter. Learn more about the ASCLS Lifetime Achievement Award.

2022 ASCLS Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Pat Tille and 2021-22 ASCLS President Hassan Aziz

Dr. Patricia Tille accepts the 2022 ASCLS Lifetime Achievement Award from 2021-2022 ASCLS President Hassan Aziz.