ASCLS Joins Coalitions to Support Important Legislation | Labvocate Ambassadors | Call for Nominations | Register Early for CLEC 2026 and Save | Upcoming ASCLS Webinar | ASCLS Wraps up a Busy Fall | and More
ASCLS Joins Coalitions to Support Important Legislation for Medical Laboratories and Patient Care
RESULTS Act
Last month, ASCLS joined ACLA and over 30 other associations in writing to Congressional Leaders in support of the bipartisan RESULTS Act. If passed, this act will protect our industry from the devastating 15 percent cuts expected to take place in January 2026.
If you have not gone to StopLabCuts.org and accessed their easy-to-use TAKE ACTION platform, please do so. We are all needed to protect our industry from these potentially dangerous cuts to the clinical laboratory fee schedule.
H-1B Visas
ASCLS also joined ASCP and more than 20 other partner associations to sign on to a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. This letter asks to “provide a national interest exemption (NIE) to pathologists and medical and public health laboratory professionals from the $100,000 H-1B fee” recently enacted by the Federal Administration.
Our organization’s advocacy agenda has a clear statement on H-1B visas. The agenda states, “Directly, or as parts of coalitions, ASCLS will advocate for increases in H-1B worker, F1 student visas, as well as permanent resident (Green Card) and Temporary Protected Statuses.”
Labvocate Ambassadors
Be a Voice for the Profession
The Labvocate Ambassador Program is a growing network of passionate medical laboratory professionals committed to strengthening the voice and visibility of the clinical laboratory community.
Ambassadors play an essential role in helping policymakers, healthcare leaders, and the public understand the critical contributions of laboratory science to patient care.
We know how busy you are, and this program is designed to make advocacy accessible, meaningful, and manageable. Whether you choose to engage occasionally or take on a more active role, your participation strengthens our collective impact.
More than 60 ambassadors have already signed up. Our goal is to have 538 ambassadors—one for every member of Congress and every senator.
Learn how you can join the movement.
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 July 2, 2026). If you or someone you know should be nominated, apply online or contact Nominations Committee Chair Mark De Luna by January 15, 2026.
Leadership positions to be elected in 2025:
- President-elect (three-year commitment, automatically succeeding to President and Past President)
- Director (three positions, three-year term)
- Nominations Committee (three positions, two-year term)
- Judicial Committee (one position, five-year term)
Learn more about each position’s eligibility requirements and duties.
Register Early for CLEC 2026 and Save
February 5-7 | Bellevue, WA | Virtual
Save your seat now for the 2026 Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC), which will be held February 5-7 in Bellevue, Washington. A discounted early bird registration rate is available through December 3.
CLEC is the most impactful annual gathering for faculty, administrators, directors, advisers, and all in medical laboratory education. The program offers about 40 educational sessions that will explore new ways to enhance the student learning experience, demonstrate innovative teaching techniques, solve program management challenges, and so much more. Browse a preview of the educational sessions that will be offered at CLEC 2026.
To provide you flexibility to participate in CLEC, you have the option to attend CLEC either in-person at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue or virtually through the streaming device of your choice.
CLEC 2026 Scholarship Opportunity
The ASCLS Ascending Professionals Forum will award four $1,000 scholarships, to be used towards travel and registration for Ascending Professionals attending the 2026 Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC) February 5-7, 2026, either in-person or virtually. Learn more.
ASCLS Webinar
Optimizing Liver Function Test Interpretation in NAFLD: Transaminases, Uric Acid, and the Critical Role of Provider Education
December 10, 12 pm ET
Presenter: Mark Kellogg, PhD, MLS(ASCP), DABCC, Associate Director of Chemistry at Boston Children’s Hospital
Description: This presentation examines the complexities of liver function test interpretation in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), with emphasis on understanding transaminase reference intervals and the emerging role of uric acid as a biomarker. The session addresses a critical gap in clinical practice: up to 86 percent of NAFLD patients may present with normal ALT levels, yet many providers rely solely on traditional reference ranges for screening and monitoring. Through case-based discussion and evidence review, participants will learn practical strategies for accurate test interpretation and how targeted provider education can improve early detection and management of NAFLD.
Objectives:
- Evaluate the clinical significance of serum uric acid levels as an independent risk factor for NAFLD development and progression, understanding the 2.1-fold increased odds associated with hyperuricemia.
- Apply evidence-based strategies for monitoring patients with NAFLD using appropriate intervals for liver enzyme reassessment, fibrosis scoring, and specialist referral criteria.
- Implement provider education interventions that address common misinterpretations of liver function tests and promote guideline-concordant care for NAFLD patients.
Instruction Level: Intermediate
Registration: Free for ASCLS members; $10 for non-members
ASCLS is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.
ASCLS Wraps up a Busy Fall
Inaugural Women of Laboratory Science Summit
On October 18, ASCLS hosted the inaugural Women of Laboratory Science Summit, designed to give women in laboratory science the opportunity to share experiences, exchange knowledge, and cultivate a network of supportive peers committed to advancing leadership.
Twenty women attended the one-day summit and found the experience transformative:
- “I really enjoyed this event. The practical takeaways will definitely aid in my growth as a leader!”
- “There was a lot of energy in the room and great connections made with all levels of laboratory leaders.”
- “I loved this experience being with other fellow women scientists in a non-intimidating and fun filled environment … Learned a lot of ways to voice my own contributions and tools to work on building confidence.”
2025 Labvocate Symposium
On October 20, nearly 100 medical laboratory professionals joined together in Alexandria, Virginia, and virtually for the 2025 Labvocate Symposium.
ASCLS, the American Medical Technologists, American Society for Clinical Pathology, Association of Genetic Technologists, National Society for Histotechnology, and the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists-USA hosted the event where attendees learned about the legislative issues impacting medical laboratories and how to make their voices heard on Capitol Hill.
On October 21, attendees met with their respective members of Congress to advocate for bills and issues discussed the day before.
The Symposium focused on two key legislative issues:
- The RESULTS Act to reform the clinical fee rate setting and avoid disastrous cuts to laboratory reimbursement beginning in January.
- The Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2025 to establish a federal grant program to increase capacity of the United States to train those with an interest in laboratory science.
Save the date for the 2026 Labvocate Symposium–October 12-13 in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.
Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference (ELMC2)
Nearly 200 medical laboratory professionals attended the sixth Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference (ELMC2), held virtually November 14-15.
The event was specifically designed for laboratory professionals in leadership roles or preparing for management and included over 20 sessions on topics such as financial literacy, emergency preparedness, negotiation skills, time management, team building, and more. Attendees also had the chance to network and talk with presenters and other attendees in virtual breakout rooms in between sessions.
If you missed this fall’s ELMC2, on-demand session recordings will be available to purchase this winter through labucate.org.
ASCLS Political Action Committee
Where the Money Goes and Why It Matters
When colleagues are asked to support the ASCLS Political Action Committee (PAC), the first question is often: “Where is my money going?” It’s a fair question. The answer: every dollar is a strategic investment in protecting and advancing the laboratory profession.
Strategic Giving Over the Past Two Years
In the past 24 months, the PAC has contributed to a bipartisan group of lawmakers who hold key positions in healthcare policy, workforce development, and patient access. Here’s where the money went, and why. Read more.
ASCLS Education & Research Fund Handmade for the Holidays Fundraiser
Place Your Bids Nov 26-Dec 3
Raise money for medical laboratory science scholarships and research grants and start your holiday shopping with the ASCLS E&R Fund’s 2025 Handmade for the Holidays annual fundraiser. Win unique and lab-themed items while raising money for an important cause. Bidding starts next Wednesday, November 26.
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 next Tuesday, November 25. They accept handmade gifts, themed baskets of goodies, and any fun holiday gift.
Giving Tuesday is December 2
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.
This year, a group of ASCLS members, including Patty Boyer, Nestor Yanez Gutierrez, and Leah Narans, exhibited at the National Science Teaching Association in Minneapolis to raise awareness about laboratory medicine careers among science teachers. Their exhibit booth was funded partially by the E&R Cynthia L. Breen Memorial Award.
New CLEF Impactful Innovation in Education Award
Applications Due December 31
The Clinical Laboratory Educators Forum (CLEF) is excited to announce the launch of a brand-new award celebrating innovation and excellence in clinical laboratory science education: Impactful Innovation in Education Award.
This award recognizes educators who are transforming the learning experience through innovative strategies, tools, or approaches that significantly enhance student engagement, understanding, and success in the clinical laboratory sciences.
If you’ve developed an innovative educational tool or approach that addresses a critical need in clinical laboratory education and have shared this innovation with the broader educator community, please consider applying for this award.
Recipients will be honored at the Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC) with a placard and a $500 monetary award. Learn more.
Share Your Story in a Book Honoring Lab Medicine during COVID-19
The editors of the upcoming title, Emergent: COVID-19 Narratives of Laboratory Medicine, are holding a limited open call for first-person narratives (approximately 1,500-4,500 words) which reflect on the experience working in the laboratory during the height of the pandemic.
Whether your story highlights personal and professional challenges, failures, perseverance, teamwork, personal growth, or a moment that’s stayed with you, this book aims to share laboratory medicine’s voice and recognize the essential and heroic role of diagnostics.
The best personal narratives don’t just recount events—they invite reflection, stir empathy, and leave the readership with a lingering sense of connection or insight. It’s this balance of honesty, storytelling, and self-awareness that makes a personal narrative unforgettable. If you’re interested in contributing, please upload your submission by January 1, 2026.
Voices Under 40
Spotlight: Mindy Ingalls, MLS(ASCP)CM, PBT(NHA), Lakewood, Colorado
Mindy is currently working as a medical laboratory scientist in the Microbiology Department at Porter Hospital in Colorado, AdventHealth’s hub for all microbiology tests in the Rocky Mountain Region. As a first-generation college graduate, Mindy is proud to reflect on the accomplishments she has made during her university education, which was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Shortly after joining the MLS program at Denver Health, Mindy immediately became involved in ASCLS. She joined ASCLS-Colorado as the Developing Professional (DP) representative in April of 2024. With this position, Mindy sought to fill open board positions, update the ASCLS-CO website, reactivate the Facebook page, establish an Instagram page, organize monthly social events, and design t-shirts to enhance laboratory visibility. To her surprise, Mindy was able to accomplish these six tasks within the first year of her involvement. 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 was selected from many nominations across the country.
New Off the Bench Podcast Episode
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 31 episode, hosts Doryan and Sophia dive into the serendipitous side of science that reminds us that progress often starts with the unexpected—Malarial drugs gone purple, beer in the bladder, and a blood type no one saw coming.
Subscribe to the podcast through Apple Podcasts , Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
Latest Jobs
Senior Analytical Chemist & Analytical Laboratory Technician
Redwood Materials, Inc.
Sparks, Nevada
Medical Technologist (Multiple)
Dayton Osteopathic Hospital, Inc.
Xenia, Ohio
Laboratory Technologist
Mosaic Diagnostics
Overland Park, Kansas
See more job openings on the ASCLS Career Center.
Local Events
ASCLS-New Jersey Holiday Luncheon
December 7
Red Bank, New Jersey
ASCLS-Arkansas and Arkansas Antimicrobial Stewardship Foundation Webinar
December 11
Antimicrobial Resistance: Mechanisms, Trends, and Local Impact
Virtual
ASCLS-Colorado Student/Alumni Bowling
December 16
Denver, Colorado
ASCLS-Colorado Winter Seminar
January 16
Grand Junction, Colorado
Key Dates
Handmade for the Holidays Education & Research Fund Fundraiser
Virtual
November 26-December 3
Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference Early Registration Deadline
December 3
Webinar – Optimizing Liver Function Test Interpretation in NAFLD
Virtual
December 10