Start sharing that you’ll be at #CLEC2027 with the medical laboratory science educator community. We’ve created images that you can share on social media and in your email signature so that your educator friends and colleagues know they can connect with you during this year’s CLEC, whether you plan to attend in Arlington, TX, or…
Join the community shaping the future of medical laboratory education. At the annual Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC) educators, program leaders, and administrators come together to exchange ideas, discover innovative strategies, and build connections that strengthen programs and support student success. CLEC 2027 will be held February 4-6 at the Loews Arlington Hotel in Arlington,…
Volume 40 Number 5 | October 2026 Summary In this article, ASCLS President Stacey Robinson explores practical strategies for building resilience in laboratory professionals. Drawing on Army resilience training, she highlights the benefits of gratitude, reframing negative thoughts, and recognizing unhelpful thinking patterns. Her message encourages laboratorians to intentionally “hunt the good stuff” and cultivate…
Volume 40 Number 5 | October 2026 Summary Using a relatable medical laboratory scenario, Darby Naheedy examines how poorly designed systems create unnecessary “extraneous cognitive load” that drains attention and contributes to fatigue. She argues that laboratory professionals often spend valuable mental energy navigating inefficient workflows rather than practicing clinical science, and encourages labs to…
Volume 40 Number 5 | October 2026 Summary In this article, Maria Sue Abiera examines the mental health challenges facing medical laboratory professionals, including moral distress, ethical dilemmas, burnout, and workforce pressures. She argues that resilience is a professional necessity, not a luxury, and calls for stronger institutional support, wellness initiatives, and peer-based programs to…
Volume 40 Number 5 | October 2026 Summary In this commentary, Jesse Day challenges the “pay your dues” mentality that can foster exclusion, self-doubt, and burnout in laboratory workplaces. He argues that professional growth should come through mentorship, support, and shared knowledge rather than unnecessary hardship, emphasizing that creating a culture of belonging strengthens both…
Volume 40 Number 5 | October 2026 Summary In this personal reflection, Heather Parks explores grief, mental health, and the loss of a laboratory colleague. Drawing on her experiences and conversations with medical laboratory professionals, she highlights the importance of workplace support, open communication, memorialization, and compassion, encouraging labs to create space for grieving, healing,…
Volume 40 Number 5 | October 2026 Summary In this article, Jordan Achenbach examines burnout and resilience in laboratory medicine, emphasizing that resilience is shaped by workplace culture, not individual effort alone. She advocates for supportive leadership, mentorship, psychological safety, and open conversations about mental health, arguing that investing in employee wellbeing strengthens laboratory performance,…
Volume 40 Number 5 | October 2026 Summary In this thought-provoking article, Julie Freidhoff explores how technology systems can become an “invisible third party” in workplace interactions, creating misunderstandings and misplaced blame. She encourages medical laboratory professionals to recognize system-related failures, approach colleagues with curiosity rather than assumptions, and promote accountability, psychological safety, and stronger…
Volume 40 Number 5 | October 2026 Summary In this reflective article, Ali Murphy challenges the idea that work-life balance is easy to achieve, especially in demanding laboratory careers. She argues that stress naturally crosses personal and professional boundaries and recommends setting firm electronic boundaries, such as limiting work emails at home and personal device…