Toula Castillo

Honored to Serve

Volume 40 Number 5 | October 2026 Summary ASCLS President-Elect Demetra “Toula” Castillo reflects on her ASCLS journey from student member to leader, emphasizing belonging, mentorship, and service. She highlights the importance of member engagement, leadership development, and psychological safety, calling on ASCLS members to help build a welcoming, thriving community for laboratory professionals. A…

2026 ASCLS Pinnacle Award Recipient Michael Bishop

2026 ASCLS Pinnacle Award Recipient

Volume 40 Number 5 | October 2026 Summary ASCLS honored Michael L. Bishop with the 2026 Pinnacle Award for nearly five decades of leadership, innovation, education, and service to the clinical laboratory profession. A dedicated ASCLS leader, educator, inventor, and mentor, Michael’s contributions to laboratory science, workforce development, and patient care have left a lasting…

Tonya Shearin-Patterson

Practical Tips for Stressful Times (Situations)

Volume 40 Number 5 | October 2026 Summary In this article, Tonya Shearin-Patterson highlights the unique burnout risks facing medical laboratory professionals, from staffing shortages and heavy workloads to personal caregiving responsibilities and grief. Drawing from her own experience, she emphasizes the importance of self-care, seeking support, counseling when needed, and proactively protecting mental health…

2025 Labvocate Symposium attendees

Society News Now – September 2026

ASCLS Provides Expert Input on Future CLIA Regulations | 2026 Labvocate Symposium Early Registration Discount Ends Monday | From the Bench to Leadership | Get Insights from DCLS Leaders | Share Your Experiences and Expertise at ASCLS Events | And more ASCLS Provides Expert Input on Future CLIA Regulations ASCLS submitted comments in response to…

A group of medical laboratorians sitting around a table

Creating a Culture Where Every Voice Matters

Inclusive leadership and psychological safety help laboratory professionals contribute, learn, challenge outdated practices, and strengthen patient care. A healthy laboratory culture is more than a workplace benefit. It shapes whether people share concerns, contribute ideas, collaborate across roles, and act quickly when patient safety is at stake. A laboratory is like a tapestry. Every person…

Two people in a medical laboratory discussing the equipment

Negotiating New Laboratory Equipment Contracts

A practical guide to securing the right equipment, terms, service, and long-term value for your laboratory. At a glance Successful equipment negotiation begins with a clear understanding of the laboratory’s needs, finances, workflow, and growth plans. The goal is not simply to lower the purchase price. It is to create an agreement that defines expectations,…

Woman at computer in a dark lab looking suspicious.

Insider Risks in the Medical Laboratory: The Threat You May Not Be Watching For

When laboratory leaders think about security, they often focus on external threats such as cyberattacks, unauthorized visitors, or dangerous pathogens. But some of the most significant risks can come from individuals who already have authorized access to laboratory systems, facilities, and information. Insider threats occur when employees, contractors, or other trusted individuals misuse their access…

Society News Now August 2026 Issue

Society News Now – August 2026

CMS Request for Information | Maintain Your Certification Stress-Free | 2026 Labvocate Symposium | 2026 Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference | Inaugural Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) Symposium | New Products in ASCLS Store | and More CMS Request for Information The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is asking for public comments…

Kyle B. Riding

Thank You, Labvocates!

Volume 40 Number 4 | August 2026 Summary ASCLS Past President Kyle Riding expresses gratitude to laboratory professionals for their persistent and skilled advocacy efforts—”Labvocacy”—which protect high standards, ensure quality patient care, and responsibly guide regulatory and technological changes within laboratory medicine. He emphasizes that such advocacy is a critical, ongoing professional responsibility integral to…

Eleanor Guhl

Advocacy at the Bench

Volume 40 Number 4 | August 2026 Summary The author reflects on the critical role of medical laboratory technologists in patient advocacy through ensuring accurate test results, effective communication with healthcare teams, and upholding professional standards to protect patient safety. She emphasizes that advocacy occurs both at individual and systemic levels in healthcare settings. Eleanor…