Medical Laboratory Professionals Week

Beyond meeting this public need, the celebration of MLPW will help increase recognition for the profession as it improves the individual practitioner’s sense of self-worth. Further, as the various professional groups within laboratory practice work together on this project, the sense of unity and purpose necessary to further the goals of all laboratorians are reinforced.

Many members plan displays, open houses and various other activities in their institutions or local areas. Some have obtained proclamations by mayors or governors while others have been featured on local TV and radio stations. National MLPW has been successful in increasing the recognition of clinical laboratory science among the healthcare community and general public.

We encourage you to use our hashtag – #lab4life.  For laboratory professionals, this hashtag is a statement of our dedication to the profession.  To the general public, it illustrates how quality laboratory results can lead to a healthier life.  Use this hashtag to show others your pride in being a laboratory professional.

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Proclamations

Obtaining mayoral and/or gubernatorial proclamations are interesting promotional items that require little time in relationship to the benefits that are realized. Elected public officials generally welcome the opportunity to participate in such events. This activity should be undertaken as a joint effort of the MLPW sponsoring groups on both state and local levels. See examples of proclamations below.

Procedures for arranging a proclamation signing ceremony may vary among states and cities. A general outline is given in the following paragraphs. If these procedures do not apply in your state or local situation, government staff can be helpful in pointing you in the right direction.

Finally, bringing MLPW sponsoring groups together in the mayor or governor’s office for a MLPW proclamation signing ceremony provides a terrific media photo opportunity. Publicity is vital as you begin your MLPW activities, and it’s also a chance to tell the media why MLPW is so important and what events or activities will be happening in your area.

• View an example of a State Proclamation
• View an example of a City Proclamation

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To Arrange the Signing of a Proclamation by a Mayor or Governor

1. Obtain the contact information for the mayor or governor’s office. Contact as far in advance as possible. Remember, elected officials have very busy schedules, so make sure to call early and be flexible in setting the time and date for the signing.

2. When you contact the official’s office, say that you wish to speak with someone about requesting that the mayor or governor sign a proclamation for Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, which typically occurs the last week in April.

3. You will communicate with an administrative assistant/aide or a secretary.

1. • Introduce yourself. Example: This is Jane Doe. I am the lead medical lab scientist/medical technologist at General Hospital in Our Town, and I am a local coordinator for Medical Laboratory Professionals Week.
   • Tell the person: Medical Laboratory Professionals Week will be observed nationally the week of April 14-20, 2024. We would like to ask the (mayor/governor), to sign a proclamation designating that week as Medical Laboratory Professionals Week in this (city/state). I would like to send more information explaining the week and provide suggested wording for a proclamation. I called to ask you the proper procedure.
   • Gather information: Your respondent will then tell you to whom the letter should be sent. Make sure you get contact information, as well as the correct spelling of the person’s name.

4. Below is a sample letter/email:

Dear :

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week will be observed nationally April 14-20, 2024. This week recognizes the contributions of the scientific and technical personnel whose work in the medical/clinical laboratory helps give our nation the best possible health care.

I am the Medical Laboratory Professionals Week coordinator for this state/city/district, and I am writing to say that we would very much like the week to be officially recognized in our (city/ state).

I am requesting that the (mayor/governor) participate in a ceremony at his/her office to sign a proclamation declaring a celebration of the week.

The wording for a suggested proclamation is enclosed. I have also included a schedule of dates and times close to the actual week during which it would be appropriate to hold the ceremony. Please let me know if this schedule includes a convenient time for the (mayor/governor).

I look forward to hearing from you regarding the approval of the proclamation and a reserved day and time for the signing. In the meantime, please feel free to contact me, as I will be happy to answer any additional questions you might have.

I appreciate your interest.

Sincerely,
(Your Name)

5. Mark a date on your calendar (approximately two weeks in the future) to call your contact if you’ve had no response.

6. Once a date has been decided, arrange for representatives of the sponsoring groups to be present for the signing. If the governor or mayor’s official photographer will not be present, request that one of your members take pictures. Share the photo on your social media channels and send a digital photo to ascls@ascls.org.

7. Be prepared to provide the mayor or governor’s press secretary with all relevant information about MLPW.

8. After the ceremony send a thank-you to the mayor or governor, as well as the individual in her/her office who helped arrange the signing. You will establish a great relationship that you may use again in the future.

An objective of MLPW is to educate healthcare professionals, the public, and others about the role of the laboratory professional in patient care. ASCLS has many items available that can be used for this effort.  See below.  This list is a free resource for all to use in planning their MLPW celebrations.

• Download the MLPW Promotional Guide, filled with ideas for celebrating and building awareness about the profession
  • View an example of a successful effort for a Governor’s Proclamation
  • View an example of a successful effort for a Mayor’s Proclamation
• A Life Saved: Laboratory Professionals Make A Difference Video – poignant and moving video that inspires and empowers laboratory professionals to articulate the importance of their contributions to patient care. 
• Lab Tests Online — an unprecedented resource for healthcare consumers to understand the meaning of their laboratory test results; information about how to promote this site is available at the website.
• ASCLS Career Recruitment Toolkit – Our career recruitment toolkit contains several resources to be used in educating others about our profession during MLPW, including a new brochure and promotional video.
• ASCLS Promotion of the Profession website – The ASCLS PPC website has additional resources that can be used for your MLPW celebration.
• Laboratory Science Careers – a website designed to encourage students to enter our profession. It includes information on careers, education, and other resources, including videos.
• Coordinating Council on the Clinical Laboratory Workforce – the CCCLW works to ensure the supply of qualified laboratory professionals. CCCLW projects include an awareness campaign to put a face on clinical laboratory scientists.
• Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Laboratory video – view short video describing the value of laboratory professionals
• Maxine cartoon – John Wagner, of Maxine fame, drew a lab cartoon years ago picturing Maxine and Obie with a microscope and blood samples on the counter in honor of MLPW. Carol Daniels, retired program director from Indian River State College (FL), was his sister.  The cartoon was his contribution to our profession.  Thanks to Marilyn Barbour and IRSC for making this available.

In the fall of 2005, NMLW was changed to National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (NMLPW) to emphasize the person whose expertise is needed in the performance of laboratory testing. Beginning in 2010 the organizers decided to “brand” the event by using the same theme each year: Laboratory Professionals Get Results.  In the summer of 2012 organizers deleted “National” from the title for brevity, and it became Medical Laboratory Professionals Week.

There are approximately 300,000 practitioners of clinical laboratory science in the United States. Since the development of this career group in the 1920s, the clinical laboratory science professional has played an increasingly vital role in the diagnosis and prevention of disease. Today, the clinical laboratorian is a key member of a health care team.

As team members of one of the largest industries in the United States, the dedicated efforts of laboratory professionals often go unnoticed by the general public, as well as by the very institutions employing their services. With the public now demanding the assurance of quality health care and professional accountability, organizations representing practitioners of this critical science have a responsibility to ensure that the public is well informed about clinical laboratory competency.