Volume 39 Number 2 | April 2025
Pat Tille, PhD, MLS(ASCP), AHI(AMT), FACSc, ASCLS President
The field of clinical laboratory science is foundational to healthcare, providing critical insights into diagnosis, treatment, and disease prevention. In recent years, the professional impact of laboratory scientists has expanded beyond the walls of laboratories, with practitioners increasingly engaging with broader communities through various platforms. Impact is multifaceted, and individuals in the clinical laboratory sciences contribute to the profession across many areas, including clinical practice, education, industry, and research, always focusing on key aspects like content quality, positive influence, community engagement, and sustainability.
As the ASCLS president, I have the opportunity to work with a variety of committees, groups, taskforces, and stakeholders. This year, the ASCLS Awards Committee was charged with reviewing the content of some of the organization’s awards. During that process, they established a framework that demonstrates one’s impact on the profession of clinical laboratory science. In reviewing this framework, it became clear that these are well developed and detailed. This is my analysis of that framework in the context of being and or becoming an impactful laboratory science professional.
The first component of the framework is content quality and relevance. In the realm of clinical laboratory science, content quality is paramount. Given the complexity of the field, professionals are expected to produce information that is not only accurate but also in-depth, ensuring the content aligns with scientific and ethical standards. High-quality content can range from technical tutorials, case studies, research findings, and educational materials that help both professionals and the general public better understand the intricacies of laboratory science.
As a laboratory professional, the relevance of the material one produces is equally crucial. The target audience in this context may include laboratory professionals, students, patients, and even healthcare administrators. By addressing common challenges, such as evolving diagnostic techniques, emerging infectious diseases, or advances in laboratory technology, one can cater to the pressing needs of the audience. Furthermore, a focus on how laboratory science intersects with other healthcare fields—like primary care providers, nursing, and public health—helps maintain a broader sense of relevance to the healthcare community as a whole.
The content is also impactful when it is used to provide positive influence and empowerment. One of the most profound ways professionals in the laboratory sciences can make a difference is by using their platforms to inspire, educate, and empower others. Whether through social media, webinars, or blogs, laboratory scientists can demystify complex concepts, highlighting the importance of their work in a way that resonates with others. Beyond education, the role of empowerment is crucial.
By providing guidance on career development, fostering scientific curiosity, and advocating for the growth of laboratory science as a profession, medical laboratory science professionals contribute to an empowered, informed, and passionate community. Additionally, a demonstrated commitment to inclusivity—by ensuring that all voices are heard, regardless of race, gender, or background—helps foster an environment where diverse perspectives enrich the profession.
While influencing, informing, and empowering a variety of stakeholders, laboratory science professionals can expand their sphere of influence through community engagement and personal interactions. Community engagement is vital for building strong, lasting relationships with a variety of stakeholders. In laboratory science, professionals have the opportunity to engage directly with their peers, students, providers, administrators, and patients, responding to questions, addressing concerns, and sharing knowledge in real-time. The best laboratory professionals not only produce high-quality information and ideas, but also create spaces where meaningful interaction can take place. This can take the form of live Q&A sessions, discussion forums, or interactive webinars, where professionals can actively address the needs and concerns of others.
By responding to comments, encouraging feedback, and fostering discussions, professionals help build a sense of belonging and ensure that others feel heard and valued. Additionally, fostering a culture of peer support among laboratory professionals can create stronger bonds within the community, advancing the profession as a whole.
When considering how to influence, inform, and empower others, nothing is more important than authenticity and transparency. In the digital age, authenticity is an essential component of professional engagement. Medical laboratory scientists who share their experiences, challenges, and successes openly create trust. Transparency about partnerships with institutions, sponsors, or collaborators is also important to maintain ethical standards and avoid conflicts of interest in any organization.
Authentic professionals openly discuss not just their achievements but also the setbacks and learning moments. By sharing mistakes, lessons learned, and personal growth, one can demonstrate that expertise in laboratory science is an ongoing journey, which helps humanize the field and makes it more accessible. Furthermore, the ability to discuss personal beliefs and professional challenges openly fosters a sense of trust and credibility within the community.
As a professional, how do you know sharing ideas and innovations, along with your challenges and experiences, is really making a difference? Demonstrating measurable impact and reach is critical in evaluating your progress as a laboratory science professional. The true value of one’s impact in laboratory science can often be measured through tangible metrics, such as engagement rates, follower growth, and the reach of educational initiatives. Professionals who focus on laboratory science have the opportunity to measure the impact of their work by tracking how many people benefit from their educational materials, how often their content is shared, or the response rates to their calls for action. Impactful professionals get things done, they advance projects, and they get noticed!
Tangible outcomes such as donations to relevant research causes, the adoption of new laboratory practices based on shared knowledge, or the promotion of public health initiatives can serve as proof of one’s influence. Furthermore, professional skill-building through online certifications, workshops, or other educational materials can offer measurable ways to track how you are working to shape the future of laboratory science.
Another tangible outcome can simply be sharing origin stories, personal blogs, and simply supporting and mentoring others. Sometimes a simple thank you from someone who you reached or impacted is tangible enough. An ASCLS colleague once said, “Pat operates from a place of love, generosity, compassion, and wisdom to help others achieve their goals, and there is no better definition of ‘making a difference’ in ASCLS and the profession. She has touched the lives of thousands of students, educators, and clinical professionals throughout her career!” That kind of encouragement from your peers inspires and empowers you to keep going, even when things are difficult.
And lastly, but most certainly not the least of the areas to focus on, is consistency and long-term influence. A consistent presence in the laboratory science space is key to maintaining long-term influence. Successful professionals do not just focus on short-term trends but continue to produce high-quality, relevant information, innovation, and influence over time. Their consistent message and dedication to the profession ensures they remain credible sources of information.
Beyond simply adhering to the practice of professional development, laboratory professionals who maintain their integrity, professionalism, and passion for advancing the laboratory science community inspire others to do the same. These individuals are often seen as leaders and encourage a mindset shift in the profession, fostering long-term cultural changes that prioritize innovation, ethical practice, and continuous learning. It is important to believe in yourself and the profession to maintain a long-term influence. Hearing someone say that you “embrace professionalism, collegiality, diversity, and involvement in ASCLS and the profession,” and that you “believe in the mission of ASCLS and doesn’t just tell others to get involved but gets involved herself and shows others that they can do the same,” can keep you moving forward and dedicated to the profession and others.
You will never hear me stop saying, build your network, it is one of your most priceless assets! The lasting influence of a laboratory professional extends far beyond the personal growth of the individual and can be seen in the ways one shapes the future of medical laboratory science, from the introduction of new diagnostic techniques to the advocacy for policy changes that benefit laboratory professionals worldwide.
How can you use this framework to evaluate your professional impact? Take each step and make your own list. See where you have strengths and where you can improve. Build your own strategy using these six areas of focus, and you will not only become more impactful, but if you ever had any doubts, you will find that you already are more impactful than you think!
In closing, I want to remind you that professionals in the field of medical laboratory science have a profound impact on both the profession and the broader community. By producing high-quality, relevant information, innovations, and practices, along with inspiring and empowering others, engaging in meaningful community interactions, advocacy, and fostering transparency and authenticity, laboratory science professionals help elevate the visibility and importance of medical laboratory science. Through measurable outcomes and sustained influence, you as a laboratory professional can create lasting change, ensuring that the field continues to evolve in ways that benefit healthcare providers, patients, and society at large.
I want to thank the 2024-2025 Awards Committee for building a clear framework, that helped me evaluate my own personal impact, as well as provide a strategy to recognize the valuable impact and engagement of laboratory professionals within the ASCLS community and also demonstrate the value of laboratory science to outside stakeholders, other health-care professionals, and communities.
Pat Tille is the Graduate Program Director and Professor at the University of Cincinnati in Cincinnati, Ohio.