THE URGENT NEED FOR PERSONNEL LICENSURE

Thanh Nguyen, MLS(ASCP)CM As I researched career opportunities for medical laboratory scientists (MLSs) back in 2016, I found a very disturbing issue. My home state of Nebraska and nearby Iowa were not states with personnel licensure requirements for laboratory professionals. One mistake in the laboratory testing can result in so much damage. It caused me…

RESPIRATORY INFECTION DIAGNOSTICS AND THE ROLE OF QUALITY CONTROL TESTING

Joshua X. Pulido, MHA, MT(ASCP) Respiratory tract infections are common and can be asymptomatic or manifest as a mild illness with progression into serious complications, hospitalization,1,2 or death.4 Influenza and other viral pathogens such as adenovirus, human metapneumovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, and rhinovirus are common causes of respiratory infections.3 Early identification and diagnosis of these…

LABVOCATES!

Cheyenne Reyes, MLS(ASCP)CM From left: Jessica Lawless and Cheyenne Reyes visited the staff of John Kennedy, senator from Louisiana, during the 2019 Legislative Symposium. My first Legislative Symposium was an experience that I will forever remember. Being able to see how the government works and how it can so closely affect us in this profession…

THE IMPORTANCE OF VISIBILITY

Allicia Gunderman Before attending the 2019 Legislative Symposium, I was aware of the shortage of medical laboratory scientists. But seeing the magnitude of the shortage and oncoming retirement presented at the symposium was eye opening. The statistics presented there made me wonder why MLS professionals have so little visibility in a time of such dire…

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

Claude Rector, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Region VII Director What do you do? We have all been asked that question. How do you answer that question? Is it an easy question to answer? Do you think the person who asked that question understood your answer? My first introduction to how one might answer that question was…

Roslyn McQueen

EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE

Roslyn McQueen, PhD, CCRC, ASCLS President The education pillar in our strategic map is supported by strategies to expand continuing education, as well as promote professional development and ethical standards. As I write this article, June is right around the corner. How quickly time flies! At this time of year, most of our constituent societies…

POWER TO THE PEOPLE

Nadine Fydryszewski, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Region II Director The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines people as “human beings making up a group or assembly or linked by a common interest,” and power as “the ability to act or produce an effect … possession of control, authority, or influence over others.” People and power—two very strong words that…