Your Voice Needed to Protect Medical Laboratories and Patient Care | ASCLS Joins Coalition Urging ACIP to Use Evidence in Vaccine Standards | ASCLS Reestablishes Lambda Tau Honor Society | Free Certificate in Laboratory Leadership and Wellbeing | Upcoming Events | and More
Your Voice is Needed to Protect Medical Laboratories and Patient Care
Tell Congress to Address the Chronic Shortage of Medical Laboratory Professionals
This week Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC) and Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA) introduced their bipartisan legislation, the Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2025 (H.R.5444), to establish a federal grant program to increase capacity of the United States to train those with an interest in laboratory science. The grants will also help programs recruit necessary faculty. For the 2023-2024 academic year, thousands of applicants to MLS and MLT programs were unable to enroll because of limited capacity in many programs.
Tell Congress to Pass the RESULTS Act (S.2761/H.R.5269).
The Clinical Laboratory Fee Schedule (CLFS) is for Medicare, but it is used in almost all cases by private payors and Medicaid programs. Under a law passed in 2014 those fees are set to “market rates.” Unfortunately, flaws in that law led to inaccurate market rates, resulting in massive cuts, several times more than the law anticipated. A cut in the CLFS will impact almost all reimbursements, not just Medicare.
Fallout from a cut of 15 percent on the 800 highest volume diagnostic tests would likely mean:
- Layoffs and laboratory closures
- Pay freezes for medical laboratory professionals
- Laboratories unwilling to continue as clinical sites for education programs.
The RESULTS Act would:
- Reform the Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) by dramatically improving the data used to set rates on the CLFS.
- Reduce the administrative burden of data collection and reporting for laboratories and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).
- Provide stability to the CLFS through improved rate setting and mitigation of steep year-to-year rate reductions.
Take Action Twice
Your experience is invaluable for members of Congress, and they want to understand your perspective. Describe what a massive cut to laboratory revenue would mean to your patients who are their voters. What would fewer available tests, delayed results, and loss of access mean to their health?
- Respond to the Labvocate Action Alert to contact Congress about the Medical Laboratory Personnel Shortage Relief Act of 2025.
- Visit stoplabcuts.org and use the take action form, then email and follow up by phone until you talk with the healthcare staffer on your Representative’s and Senators’ staff. Remember that everyone has one Representative and two Senators to contact.
ASCLS Joins Coalition Urging ACIP to Use Evidence in Vaccine Standards
This week ASCLS joined the Alliance for Aging Research and 75 other associations to urge the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) to use evidence based standards in its process of examining vaccines standards in the United States. This letter was sent to the members of ACIP this morning as they begin their second day of deliberations regarding national vaccine policy.
We have signed on to this letter to uphold two major components of the ASCLS Advocacy Agenda:
- ASCLS will oppose unnecessary regulatory hurdles limiting access to care that are not based on science or the best interest of patients.
- ASCLS will oppose efforts to weaken vaccination standards via the regulatory or sub regulatory process.
ASCLS Reestablishes Lambda Tau Honor Society
ASCLS is pleased to announce the relaunch of the Lambda Tau Honor Society. With this relaunch, the Society will provide services to support the longtime purpose of Lambda Tau and provide for expansion to the broadest possible range of educational institutions.
The purpose of Lamda Tau is to:
- develop a spirit of cooperation and unity among the students entering any of the fields encompassed by medical laboratory science
- stimulate a higher ideal for scholastic effort, encourage research, and help develop the professional character of the work itself
- interest other students in these fields; determine and make known the requirements of hospitals and other institutions offering approved education
- become better acquainted with medical biology and the workers in these fields in order to receive the benefit of mutual discussions and associations with fellows of common interests.
Learn more and indicate your interest in establishing a chapter or notify ASCLS of an existing chapter.
New CE Courses Available on ASCLS Labucate
Free Certificate in Laboratory Leadership and Wellbeing
ASCLS is proud to offer the online Cultivating Laboratory Leadership and Wellbeing Certificate at no cost for all medical laboratory professionals.
This certificate features a specialized series of professional development courses designed to elevate emotional intelligence, foster a respectful workplace culture, and strengthen team collaboration in laboratory settings.
Complete the six courses at your own pace in any order. Receive a certificate of completion upon finishing all six, earn up to 12 hours of free P.A.C.E.® credit, and fulfill your ethics requirement for the BOC Credential Maintenance Program (CMP).
This project is supported by Cooperative Agreement number CDC-RFA-OE22-2202 (CFDA No. 93.322), funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Health and Human Services. This project was 100% funded with federal funds to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (NU47OE000108).
2025-2026 Certification Maintenance 12 Pack
This diverse compilation of 12 courses will help you maintain your required continuing education hours for certification. The bundle includes courses in chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunohematology, and ethics, helping you earn 12 hours of P.A.C.E.®-approved online continuing education.
ASCLS members get a discounted introductory rate of $60 for the 12 courses ($120 for non-members).
Backward Course Design
A new addition to the Laboratory Educator Institute (LEI), this module will discuss Backward Course Design theory and its benefits for enhancing student learning.
Learn how to create effective course goals/objectives, as well as about Bloom’s taxonomy domains. Participants will work through practice problems to select the appropriate assessments and activities that align with course objectives.
This self-study is at the basic level, and learners can earn 1.0 P.A.C.E.® hour. The course is $10 for ASCLS members ($15 for non-members).
Developed by ASCLS education experts, the Laboratory Educator Institute assists clinical laboratory educators with professional development in critical areas that include education/teaching, administration/leadership, clinical practice, and research.
Upcoming Events
CLEF Back to School Night
September 25, 6:30 pm ET
Relax, connect, and recharge with your Clinical Laboratory Educator Forum (CLEF) community. Join us for a fun and supportive evening as the Fall Semester kicks off. Participate in a trivia game; chat and network with colleagues; and share semester wins, challenges, and ideas.
Webinar – When Normal Isn’t Universal: Disparities in ANC Reference Intervals
October 15, 1 pm ET
Absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is a cornerstone parameter in clinical decision-making, yet conventional reference ranges were developed in populations that do not reflect global genetic diversity. Individuals with the Duffy null phenotype, common among people of African ancestry, often present with lower circulating ANC despite normal immune competence, leading to inappropriate chemotherapy holds, drug discontinuation, or clinical exclusion. This session will review the evidence for Duffy null–specific ANC reference ranges and highlight the laboratory’s critical role in validating, implementing, and communicating these more equitable standards.
Presenter: Daniel C. Dees, DCLS, CC(NRCC), MLS(ASCP)CM, Medical Director of Clinical Hematology at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Instructor in Pathology at Harvard Medical School
Learning Objectives:
- Describe how absolute neutrophil count (ANC) reference ranges were historically developed and why they vary across populations.
- Explain the role of the Duffy null phenotype in producing lower circulating ANC values and its clinical implications.
- Identify laboratory-based strategies for validating and implementing phenotype-specific ANC reference ranges to reduce health care disparities.
Instruction Level: Intermediate
Registration:
This P.A.C.E.®-accredited webinar is free for ASCLS members ($10 for non-members). Preregistration is required. If you can’t attend live, register anyway—those who pre-register will receive access to the webinar recordings.
ASCLS is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in the clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.® Program.
Inaugural Women of Laboratory Science Summit (WLSS)
October 18, 2025 | Alexandria, VA
ASCLS is proud to offer a new conference that is focused on women in the field of laboratory science. The goal of the inaugural Women of Laboratory Science Summit is to foster a dynamic and inclusive environment where women in laboratory science can share experiences, exchange knowledge, and cultivate a network of supportive peers committed to advancing leadership.
The event will be held Saturday, October 18, at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia. Registration is for in-person attendance only and limited to 60 people. Sign up by October 12.
The speaker and lead facilitator for this event is Tywauna Wilson, MBA, MLS(ASCP)CM, a leadership strategist, coach, trainer, and champion for healthcare and laboratory professionals. The program will run from 8 am to 5 pm Eastern and will offer three hours of P.A.C.E.® credit.
For additional funding support, the Glenda Price Diversity in Leadership Award is available to ASCLS members attending the Women of Laboratory Science Summit. Award recipients shall receive up to $1,000 in reimbursement for registration, travel, and lodging for WLSS.
Special thank you to our Presenting Sponsor, Trendy Elite Coaching, for their contribution to this inaugural summit.
2025 Labvocate Symposium
October 20-21, 2025 | Alexandria, VA | Virtual
The annual Labvocate Symposium (formerly called the Laboratory Legislative Symposium) gives you the chance to come together with medical laboratory professionals from six laboratory organizations and make our concerns known to Congress.
The Labvocate Symposium provides a great education on the how-tos of advocacy. Attendees are coached on presentation techniques so you can effectively talk to your congressional representatives during appointments. You’ll also learn all the important details about the legislative policies affecting our profession so you can labvocate with confidence.
This year’s Symposium will focus on
- The RESULTS Act to reform the clinical fee rate setting and avoid disastrous cuts to laboratory reimbursement beginning January 1.
- 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.
You will come away from the two-day event with first-hand knowledge of the political system in action and inspiration that you can make a difference.
ASCLS Developing Professional members get free virtual attendance to the Labvocate Symposium.
This year’s event will be held October 20-21 at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia. In-person and virtual attendee options are available. Sign up by September 29 and save with the Early Bird discount.
Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference (ELMC2)
November 14-15, 2025 | Virtual
The 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 October 10 and save with the Early Bird Rate.
Educational sessions topics will include financial literacy, interviewing skills, emergency preparedness and safety planning, time management, and much more! View the session program.
ELMC2 was previously held in January and has moved to November. It provides two days of virtual programming (live and streamed through December 31, 2025), 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 next July.
Get real-world advice from experienced medical laboratory leaders to help you solve your stickiest problems. Discounted group registration rates are available, $195 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) November 14-15, 2025, for free. Apply by October 31.
Share Your Experiences and Expertise at ASCLS Events
Call for Proposals for the New Educator Workshop at CLEC 2026
The Committee on Educational Programs and Initiatives (CEPI) is now accepting proposals for the New Educator Workshop (NEW) at the 2026 Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC).
NEW is designed to support early-career medical laboratory educators as they begin their educator journey. NEW is an add-on registration to the CLEC program that engages in-person attendees via an interactive workshop format including presentations, discussions, and peer-to-peer learning experiences.
Do you have insights, expertise, and tried-and-true tools to educate and empower new medical laboratory educators? This is a great opportunity to team up with a colleague to mentor new educators—the workshop may include up to two co-presenters. Learn more and submit by next Wednesday, September 24.
Call for CLEC 2026 Poster Abstracts
We are currently accepting abstracts for posters at the 2026 Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC) in Bellevue, Washington, near Seattle. Share your expertise, research, and other work with more than 600 fellow educators across the nation.
Registration discounts are provided to the submitting author of accepted poster abstracts. Posters will be displayed digitally at the conference and within the meeting app. Accepted authors who attend CLEC in-person will have the opportunity to participate in poster presentation showcases.
CLEC is the most impactful annual gathering for faculty, administrators, directors, advisers, and others in medical laboratory education. The conference includes peer-to-peer learning, designed to give you take-aways that you can bring home and implement in your program.
CLEC 2026 will be held February 5-7 at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue near Seattle. Explore new ways to enhance the student learning experience, discover innovative teaching techniques, build your network of clinical laboratory educators and so much more. Registration will open in October.
Call for 2026 Joint Annual Meeting Session Proposals
The Joint Annual Meeting Steering Committee is now accepting scientific session proposals for the 2026 ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting (JAM), to be presented June 29-July 1 in St Louis.
All confirmed speakers are eligible for registration discounts. You do not have to be an ASCLS, AGT, or SAFMLS member to submit a proposal, and multiple proposals may be submitted per speaker.
The JAM Steering Committee is looking for proposals that cover a diverse group of topics related to medical laboratory science, such as scientific advancements, best practices, management, and professional development. Send in your session proposals and please invite laboratory professionals and colleagues who are compelling presenters and leaders in their field to share their expertise as well.
Updated Body of Knowledge Available for Purchase
The Body of Knowledge (BOK) 4th edition serves as a resource for non-medical laboratory professionals—including clinicians, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, patients, caregivers, interprofessional teams, public health officials, and policymakers—to better understand the role of medical laboratory professionals in healthcare.
The BOK should also be used by medical laboratory leaders, human resource managers, government agency officials, and workforce development personnel, providing succinct information for those involved in hiring, consultation, regulatory compliance, and related activities.
Single user licenses (licensed to the single user who purchased it) or institutional licenses (licensed exclusively to the institution that purchased it) are both available.
New Diversity Advocacy Council Book Club Starts October 6
Health Care Revolt: How to Organize, Build a Health Care System, and Resuscitate Democracy―All at the Same Time
October 6-November 20
Health Care Revolt looks around the world for examples of health care systems that are effective and affordable, pictures such a system for the U.S., and creates a practical playbook for a political revolution in health care that will allow the nation to protect health while strengthening democracy.
Author Michael Fine, MD, is a family physician who served as director of the Rhode Island Department of Health.
Get your copy and sign up for the ASCLS Diversity Advocacy Council (DAC) Book Club. The book club starts the week of October 6 and will wrap up with a synchronous Zoom discussion on Thursday, November 20, at 7 pm ET.
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 August 29 episode, hosts Doryan and Sophia sit down with Heather Santaniello and talk about the importance of having stories to share with those in and out of the medical laboratory profession, as well as swap some favorite stories. Listen and geek out about their love of the lab with them!
Subscribe to the podcast through Apple Podcasts , Spotify, or your favorite podcast app.
CLS Journal Seeks Manuscripts
The editors of Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) journal seek manuscripts describing research related to our profession, outcomes of quality improvement projects, interesting and intriguing case studies, and reviews of current scientific literature. Instructions for authors can be found here: Authors’ Instructions for Manuscript Preparation.
Please contact the CLS editor-in-chief if you have specific questions at clseditor@ascls.org.
Congratulations to ASCLS E&R Fund Award Recipients
The ASCLS Education & Research (E&R) Fund, Inc., is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024-2025 Member Research Grant and Kleiner Award, recognizing excellence in research and scholarly writing in the medical laboratory science profession.
Member Research Grant Recipient
Jie (Jenny) Gao, PhD, University of Alabama at Birmingham
Project Title: Evaluate the Impact of a Service-Learning Project on MLS Students’ Learning Outcomes
Kleiner Award Recipient
Letycia Nuñez-Argote, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, North Carolina A&T State University
Article Title: Challenges and Opportunities for the Medical Laboratory in the Era of Direct Patient Access to Test Results
Congratulations to both recipients for their outstanding contributions to advancing education and research in medical laboratory science.
Latest Jobs
Associate / Full Professor and Chair – Laboratory Sciences & Primary Care
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center – School of Health Professions
Lubbock, Texas
Clinical Laboratory Task Leader
RTI International
Research Triangle Park, North Carolina
Hospital Laboratory Director
HCA Florida Putnam Hospital
Palatka, Florida
See more job openings on the ASCLS Career Center.
Local Events
ASCLS-Minnesota Lab Happy Hour
September 25
Richfield, Minnesota
ASCLS-North Carolina Fall Focus 2025
September 26
Raleigh, North Carolina
ASCLS-Michigan Agar Art Night
October 2 & 5
Raleigh, North Carolina
Northwest Medical Laboratory Symposium
October 2-3
Virtual
ASCLS-New Jersey Fall Seminar
October 9
Branchburg, New Jersey
ASCLS Region V Fall Symposium
October 9-10
Sioux Falls, South Dakota
ASCLS-Colorado Fall Seminar
October 25
Longmont, Colorado
ASCLS-Minnesota and Minnesota Society of Cytology Fall Scientific Assembly
October 30
St. Louis Park, Minnesota
ASCLS Okie-Arkie 2025
November 8
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Key Dates
2025 Labvocate Symposium Early Bird Registration Deadline
Alexandria, VA | Virtual
September 29
Emerging Laboratory Managers Collaborative Conference Early Bird Registration Deadline
Virtual
October 10
Webinar – When Normal Isn’t Universal: Disparities in ANC Reference Intervals
Virtual
October 15