ASCLS Today is the membership newsletter of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.
To submit an article for ASCLS Today, contact Editor Debra Rodahl.
Volume 39 Number 4 | August 2025 Summary Advocacy in medical laboratory science begins on a personal level, through individual conversations and education. Author Katie Guise emphasizes that sharing personal stories and educating others—whether peers, legislators, or students—builds awareness and humanizes the profession. While large-scale initiatives matter, everyday interactions form the foundation of lasting advocacy…
Volume 39 Number 4 | August 2025 Summary Medical laboratory scientists increasingly pursue nontraditional careers in education, informatics, policy, leadership, entrepreneurship, and industry. Their technical expertise positions them to innovate in healthcare, public health, and business. With roles ranging from educators to executives and entrepreneurs, MLS professionals can expand their impact while continuing to advance…
Volume 39 Number 4 | August 2025 Summary Effective communication in healthcare is essential for patient safety, outcomes, and workplace culture. Since most professionals lack formal training in professional communication, organizations must provide ongoing education using tools like TeamSTEPPS. Leadership plays a key role by modeling mindful, clear, and respectful communication, ensuring teamwork thrives and…
Volume 39 Number 4 | August 2025 Summary The Texas Association of Clinical Laboratory Science (TACLS) Annual Meeting in Corpus Christi featured educational sessions, student competitions, poster presentations, and networking events. Highlights included a keynote on HR, Student Bowl games, Lab Olympics, and a memorable session on brain-eating amoebas. Awards honored student and professional achievements,…
Volume 39 Number 4 | August 2025 Summary Imposter syndrome causes individuals to doubt their abilities and fear being exposed as frauds. It includes overachievers like perfectionists and people-pleasers, who mask insecurity through overwork and constant approval-seeking, and non-starters like those with paralysis or procrastination tendencies, who avoid tasks to prevent failure. Recovery is possible…
Volume 39 Number 3 | June 2025 The Time is PAST—the FUTURE is NOW! Pat Tille, PhD, MLS(ASCP), AHI(AMT), FACSc, ASCLS President Over the past decade, we have witnessed the influx of molecular diagnostics and the identification of organisms using genetic sequences in place of phenotypic characteristics. Not only has this provided a means to…
Volume 39 Number 3 | June 2025 Joshua X. Pulido, MHA, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Director Clinical laboratories are at the forefront of medical diagnostics, playing a crucial role in patient care and disease management. Over the past few years, the field has seen remarkable advancements driven by technology, collaboration, and a growing demand for precision medicine.…
Volume 39 Number 3 | June 2025 How Clinical Laboratory Science Shapes Future Health Professionals Benjamin Amat, ASCLS Today Volunteer Contributor Imagine a world where human patients could not communicate, let alone speak? What if it was even harder to examine presenting symptoms? For clinical laboratory scientists, this is their reality—their patients are non-verbal. Their…
Volume 39 Number 3 | June 2025 Heather Parks, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Today Volunteer Contributor Sometimes dreams do come true! It all started when my family and I were doing a fun “geography study” about Chile. I visited Chile in 2008 as a backpacker. The country fascinated me, so I wanted to learn more. During…
Volume 39 Number 3 | June 2025 Miguel Hutchinson, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS Patient Safety Committee Member The future of the laboratory profession will be out of this world! The patients that we tirelessly serve from our lab benches have been primarily on Earth. However, there will come a time when some laboratories will see patients that…