ASCLS Political Action Committee in Action | Call for Nominations for National Positions | Registration Open for the 2025 Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference | Unlock Your Leadership Potential at the Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference | ASCLS Education & Research Fund Handmade for the Holidays Fundraiser | and More
The ASCLS Political Action Committee in Action
During her recent visit to Washington, D.C., for the 2024 Labvocate Symposium, April German, ASCLS Political Action Committee chair, learned a lot about not only how a bill is created and passed, but also how important it is to build relationships with legislators and their staff. Participating in those one-on-one interactions sets the stage to foster valuable connections that ultimately benefit our profession. As she walked all over Capitol Hill for two days, meeting with staff members, she began to gain a better understanding of our government’s legislative procedure. Through this exercise, she developed an appreciation for the significance of our role as citizens, taxpayers, and the power of our vote.
How do we give power to our voice? How do we make that happen?
By being many, by showing up, and yes, by donating our hard-earned resources to the ASCLS Political Action Committee (PAC). In politics, two things matter: votes and money. You may be asking, how do your donations directly benefit our profession? Donations to campaigns from PACs or individuals will not change any legislator’s vote, but those donations do allow our profession to support lawmakers who support our key positions and assists in their reelection efforts. By supporting those who are champions for our causes in Congress, we advance our leverage in shaping policies that directly impact our work environment.
Consider Congresswoman Deborah Ross (D-NC), who introduced the Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act (H.R. 9849) on September 25, 2024. Her commitment to sponsoring H.R. 9849 underscores the significance of financially backing leaders who champion our vision. In the political arena and legislative boardrooms, it’s our collective influence that shapes decisions about funding and policy, amplifying our voice when it matters most. Read more.
Call for Nominations for National Positions
Nominations Due January 15
The Nominations Committee is seeking qualified members interested in serving in an elected national position (term to begin on June 12, 2025). If you or someone you know should be nominated, contact Nominations Committee Chair Tripat Kaur by January 15, 2025.
- President-elect (three-year commitment, automatically succeeding to President and Past President)
- Secretary/Treasurer (one position, three-year term)
- Director (three positions, three-year term)
- Judicial Committee (one position, five-year term)
- Nominations Committee (five positions, two-year term)
Learn more about each position’s eligibility requirements and duties.
Join Educators for a Hematology Curriculum Collaboration
December 4, 1 pm ET | Virtual
The Clinical Laboratory Educators Forum (CLEF) is hosting a Hematology Curriculum Collaboration meeting on Wednesday, December 4, at 1 pm ET. Stephanie Cochrane, EdD, MLS(ASCP)CM, will lead this discussion on hematology. Those not able to attend in real time can still register to receive the recording of this session (as well as any resources shared during this discussion). Sign up today!
Registration Open for the 2025 Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference
March 6-8 | Atlanta or Virtual
Save your seat for the 2025 Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC), which will be held March 6-8 in Atlanta. A discounted early bird registration rate is available through December 20.
CLEC is the event of the year for faculty, administrators, directors, advisers, and anyone in medical laboratory education. Reconnect with friends, make new ones, and learn from educators with the same goal to provide excellent medical laboratory education. Browse a preview of the educational sessions that will be offered at CLEC 2025.
To provide you flexibility to participate in CLEC in the format that best fits your personal circumstances, you have the option to attend CLEC either in-person at the Westin Peachtree Plaza or virtually through the streaming device of your choice, wherever you are.
All educational sessions will be streamed live and recorded. Both in-person and virtual registrants will have access to all session recordings for 30 days after the event—over 40 hours of P.A.C.E.®-approved credit—as well as additional virtual content provided in the conference app. You get to choose which sessions and events you want to attend live and which recordings you will view later when the time is right. Design a CLEC schedule that fits your work and personal life.
CLEC 2025 Scholarship Opportunity
The ASCLS Ascending Professionals Forum will award at least two $750 scholarships, to be used towards travel and registration for Ascending Professionals attending the 2025 Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC) March 6-8, 2025, either in-person or virtually. Learn more.
Unlock Your Leadership Potential at the Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference (ELMC2)
January 24-25, 2025 | Virtual
The all-virtual Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference (ELMC2) is designed specifically for medical laboratory professionals to help you prepare for and thrive in management roles. Register by December 23 and save with the Early Bird Rate.
ELMC2 provides two days of programming (live and streamed for up to 30 days after the live event), up to 20 hours of P.A.C.E.® credit, networking events, access to an attendees-only online community, and follow up programming expected to take place 6-12 weeks after the conclusion of the virtual conference, as well as special meet-ups at the ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting in June.
Get real-world advice from experienced medical laboratory leaders to help you solve your stickiest problems. Discounted group registration rates are available, $170 and under. For group registration, complete this form.
Attend ELMC2 for Free
The ASCLS Ascending Professionals Forum will award 10 registration scholarships, to attend the virtual Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference (ELMC2) January 24-25, 2025, for free. Learn more.
ASCLS Education & Research Fund Handmade for the Holidays Fundraiser
Place Your Bids November 24-December 12
Raise money for medical laboratory science scholarships and research grants and start your holiday shopping with the ASCLS E&R Fund’s 2024 Handmade for the Holidays annual fundraiser. Win unique and lab-themed items while raising money for an important cause. Bidding starts on Sunday, November 24.
All money raised through Handmade for the Holidays goes to the ASCLS Education & Research Fund, Inc., which provides scholarships, research grants, and professional awards that assist in the growth of the medical laboratory science profession and enhances the essential services provided by laboratory professionals. The E&R Fund will accept donation items through tomorrow, November 23. They accept handmade gifts, themed baskets of goodies, and any fun holiday gift. Thank you for your support!
Giving Tuesday is December 3
This #GivingTuesday you can help build a strong future for clinical laboratory science. By donating to the ASCLS E&R Fund, you will support clinical laboratory science students at the associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral levels; fund critical research in laboratory science; and raise the visibility of the profession.
You can donate directly to the E&R Fund through the Handmade for the Holidays Fundraiser by using the “Donate” button.
Save the Dates for 2025 Events
Mid-Year ASCLS House of Delegates Meeting
January 19, 2025 | Virtual
ASCLS will hold its fifth annual mid-year virtual meeting of the House of Delegates on Sunday, January 19, at 2 pm Eastern. The ASCLS House of Delegates has authority within the Society regarding the approval of professional practice standards, position papers, and the scope and direction for the Society and the profession.
Delegates who began their term with the first session of the 2024-2025 House of Delegates on July 12 will receive information about how to attend the mid-year meeting.
PRISM: Pride · Respect · Inclusion · Support · Momentum
January 20-22 | Virtual
The ASCLS Diversity Advocacy Council (DAC) invites you to participate in the fifth annual PRISM: Pride · Respect · Inclusion · Support · Momentum. Join medical laboratory friends and colleagues as we celebrate and ignite discussions regarding diversity in the profession and the inequities in our healthcare system.
PRISM features a series of virtual discussions, including a book club to discuss Dismissed: Tackling the Biases That Undermine our Health Care, by Angela Marshall and Kathy Palokoff. Sign up for the book club and get a jump start on your reading.
Interested in speaking at PRISM? The DAC is looking for an ASCLS member to be featured for the Candid Conversation on January 20 and for a speaker to participate in the Movie Night discussion of The Healthcare Divide on January 21. Nominate a person, including self-nominations, by November 26.
All events are held virtually through Zoom and are free to attend. Stay tuned for more event details.
10th Annual ASCLS Lab Week Run
April 20-26, 2025
Step out of your labs and into your communities to help spread the word about the medical laboratory profession by participating in the ASCLS Lab Week Virtual Run.
This virtual race can be run any time during Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (April 20-26, 2025) and can be run anywhere. Participants can walk, use a treadmill, run outside, or even ride a bike to complete the 5K distance (or 3.1 miles). Organize a group run with friends and family, or go solo.
Race packets will go on sale January 1 with Early Bird Pricing available through February 15. All proceeds go to scholarships that help medical laboratory professionals attend ASCLS meetings, advocate for the profession, and become future leaders in the field.
Race organizers are currently looking for sponsors. If you or someone you know is interested in reaching thousands of laboratory professionals, please contact info@labweekrun.com.
Free CDC OneLab™ Resources
Diagnostic Stewardship Toolkit
The Diagnostic Stewardship Toolkit was created to help organizations form diagnostic stewardship teams and apply guiding principles. Diagnostic stewardship supports ordering the right test for the right patient at the right time to improve patient outcomes.
Fundamentals of Working Safely with Formaldehyde and Glutaraldehyde
This basic-level course introduces clinical and public health laboratory professionals to the properties of formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde and the hazards, exposure routes, health effects, control measures, and response procedures for incidents involving these chemicals.
At the end of this course, you should be able to:
- Identify the general information about formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde.
- Describe the hazards, exposure routes, and health effects associated with the use of formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde.
- Explain how to apply control measures for reducing exposure to formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde.
- Summarize the proper response and reporting procedures for incidents that involve formaldehyde and glutaraldehyde.
Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) Proficiency Testing
This basic-level course covers the fundamentals of CLIA proficiency testing (PT), explains the PT process and scoring procedures, and addresses PT referral.
After taking this course, you should be able to:
- Identify the four steps in the proficiency testing process
- Locate the resource that identifies which nonwaived tests require PT
- Determine when to participate in PT versus performing alternative assessments
- List the corrective steps to take for a failed PT score
- Identify your responsibilities in ensuring compliance with PT requirements
This course is approved for one contact hour(s) P.A.C.E.®
About OneLab
The OneLab Rapid Education and Capacity-building Hub (REACH) is a laboratory education and training learning management system specifically designed and tailored for the needs of clinical and public health laboratory professionals. OneLab REACH supports the laboratory community by providing relevant and timely education and training resources.
CDC’s OneLab Network provides opportunities for education and training, as well as a space for collaboration between clinical, public health, individuals who perform or coordinate testing at non-laboratory sites, and CDC laboratory education and training professionals.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Division of Laboratory Systems is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.
OneLab™ and OneLab REACH™ are registered trademarks of the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
The Lab Cooks Cookbook Now Available
The ASCLS Marketing and Communication Committee compiled a digital cookbook of recipes for potlucks that have been lab-tested and approved by you, medical laboratory professionals!
Recipes include French Toast with Bacon Snow, Oriental Pasta Chicken Salad, ECC Night Shift Baked Potato Bar, Blueberry Coconut Banana Bread, and more! Whether to celebrate Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, the last full week of April; or #LABtober, the last full week of October; or anytime in between, try out some of these fun and delicious recipes.
New Episode of Off the Bench Podcast
Subscribe to the Off the Bench Podcast for discussions on scientific and not-so-scientific ideas in laboratory medicine. New episodes drop the last Friday of each month.
On the October 25 episode, hosts Sophia Chandrasekar and Doryan Redding are joined by Emily Woten and ASCLS President-Elect Dr. Kyle Riding. The four explore the question that’s plagued a few medical laboratory geeks—how do science fiction instrumentation work? How reliable are they? And why does MALDI-TOF keep coming up?
Thanks to our episode sponsor, Memorial Healthcare System.
Subscribe to the podcast through Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
ASCLS Member Receives NAACLS Distinguished Service Award
The 2024 National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) Board of Directors recently celebrated Cecile Sanders as this year’s Distinguished Service Award recipient. Cecile was recognized for her remarkable contributions to NAACLS and clinical laboratory sciences education. NAACLS Board of Directors President Robert Cottrell wrote, “Her dedication to advancing accreditation and raising program standards reflects her exceptional commitment to excellence. This award, presented only for the second time in our history, is a fitting tribute to her integrity, influence, and lasting legacy.” Congratulations, Cecile!
Voices Under 40
Spotlight: Darby Naheedy, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM, Aurora, Illinois
Darby is a medical laboratory scientist at Rush Copley Medical Center and a medical student at Midwestern University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. At Rush Copley Medical Center, Darby works the third shift as a generalist. In this role, Darby has performed various duties to ensure smooth operations involving specimen receiving, analysis, and providing quality results for patient care since 2018. Darby participates in ensuring effective quality assurance practices and regulatory readiness of the laboratory for inspection.
Darby’s ASCLS involvement started in 2017-2018 as ASCLS-Michigan student representative. She served as Region IV ascending professional representative in 2018-2019. Due to dedication to professional service, Darby served in 2023-2024 as ASCLS-MI delegate, Patient Safety Committee member, ASCLS-Illinois chair of communications, and ASCLS-IL website administrator. Furthermore, Darby served as the 2024-2025 ASCLS-MI delegate. Read more.
ASCLS Voices Under 40 honors ASCLS members who have shown exceptional commitment to the Society, the laboratory profession, and their community at large at a younger age in their professional career. Each month we spotlight one of the shining voices who were selected from many nominations across the country.
Latest Jobs
Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) – Reg
BJC HealthCare
St. Louis, Missouri
Medical Laboratory Scientist Lead
CommonSpirit Health Mountain Region
Lakewood, Colorado
Clinical Assistant Professor Positions
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, Kansas
See more job openings on the ASCLS Career Center.
Local Events
ASCLS-Colorado Winter Seminar
January 24
Grand Junction, Colorado
ASCLS-Central New England Clinical Laboratory Science Convention
March 17-18
Warwick, Rhode Island
ASCLS-Louisiana/Mississippi Bi-State Meeting
March 17-19
Lafayette, Louisiana
ASCLS-Missouri Spring Conference
March 31-April 1
Columbia, Missouri
Clinical Laboratory Collaborative Conference (ASCLS-Colorado and ASCLS-Wyoming)
April 3-4
Denver, Colorado
ASCLS-Arkansas Laboratory Conference
April 4
Little Rock, Arkansas
Florida Society for Clinical Laboratory Science Spring Symposium
April 5
Jacksonville, Florida
2025 ASCLS-Texas Annual Spring Conference
April 9-11
Corpus Christi, Texas
ColLABorate: Iowa Clinical Laboratory Conference
April 16-17
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
ASCLS-Idaho Spring Meeting
April 17-18
Boise, Idaho
ASCLS-Wisconsin Spring Meeting
April 22-23
Middleton, Wisconsin
Minnesota Clinical Laboratory Collaborative
May 1-2
Duluth, Minnesota
ASCLS-North Dakota Spring Symposium
May 8-9
Grand Forks, North Dakota
Key Dates
Handmade for the Holidays Education & Research Fund Fundraiser
November 24-December 12
Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference Early Registration Deadline
December 20
Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference Early Registration Deadline
December 23