Spreading the Profession

Volume 39 Number 4 | August 2025

Summary

Author Judy Garic advocates for medical laboratory professionals through student outreach, professional engagement, and legislative action. Efforts include interactive school displays, networking events, legislative advocacy, and public awareness campaigns like radio interviews and high-profile Medical Laboratory Professionals Week signage. By increasing visibility and fostering connections, the profession’s value and future are strengthened.

A Labvocate’s Journey

Judy Garic, MLS(ASCP)SC, ASCLS Political Action Committee Chair and Louisiana Society for Clinical Laboratory Science President-Elect

Labvocate. I love the word and the sentiment. Advocacy for the medical laboratory profession is not just a passion of mine, it’s my mission. As president-elect of the Louisiana Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (LSCLS), I have made it a priority to bring our vital, yet often invisible, profession into the public eye. From student outreach to legislative engagement, I am committed to spreading awareness of medical laboratory science and encouraging pride and participation among our colleagues.

Cultivating the Next Generation

The first and perhaps most critical step in advocacy is education, and that begins with recruitment. Figuring out how to get started is the biggest stumbling block. I decided the easiest (Ha!) route would be engaging with area high schools to participate in career fairs. These events became powerful opportunities to introduce students to a career most had never heard of but found fascinating once discovered.

I created an interactive display that included a microscope, culture plates featuring common bacteria, and components from automated track systems, each paired with educational descriptions. I also displayed a board showcasing career pathways within clinical laboratory science. Students were intrigued. Many approached with questions, amazed that such an essential healthcare career existed behind the scenes.

To make the experience even more memorable, I handed out lab-themed goody bags and “science” cupcakes, which were a huge hit! I offered lab-themed door prizes, too. In schools where career fairs weren’t feasible, I hosted “lunch and learn” sessions with science classes. These more intimate settings allowed for meaningful discussions about educational programs in Louisiana and the exciting possibilities within our field.

Re-Engaging our Professionals

Recruiting new professionals is just one part of the equation; retaining and empowering our current workforce is equally important. To find out what current LSCLS members needed, promote the value of professional engagement, and reach non-members, I organized a series of informal meet-and-greets for clinical laboratory professionals in the New Orleans and Lafayette areas.

I invited both ASCLS members and non-members by distributing flyers to local hospitals and hounding professionals I knew. These events, held at local restaurants, offered appetizers and refreshments in a relaxed atmosphere where attendees could network and learn more about LSCLS. I emphasized the importance of belonging to a professional organization and shared highlights of what ASCLS accomplished over the past year. Sign-up sheets allowed me to build a contact list and distribute follow-up materials. Each event welcomed 20 to 25 attendees, evidence that professionals are eager to connect when given the opportunity.

Legislative Advocacy in Action

Most recently, our advocacy efforts have extended to the Louisiana state legislature. Working closely with our government affairs chair, we monitored proposed legislation that could affect our profession. When one such bill emerged, we submitted an official statement in opposition—and were thrilled to see it accepted into the record during the legislative session.

Watching the proceedings unfold via livestream was both motivating and eye-opening. Despite hearing misrepresentations and outright inaccuracies about our field, I felt empowered rather than discouraged. Determined to ensure lawmakers understand the critical role of laboratory professionals, I scheduled meetings in July with three Louisiana state senators. These meetings aim to establish ongoing dialogue, provide accurate information, and demonstrate that our profession is informed, organized, and actively engaged in policy decisions that impact our work.

Publicity Recap: Lab Week Outreach

Optics are everything when it comes to publicity. To maximize public engagement during Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, I stepped out of my comfort zone and embraced high-impact visibility opportunities—two years in a row.

One of the most exciting efforts involved participating in a live radio show on a powerhouse local station. I was interviewed by the morning show host, allowing us to share the importance of laboratory professionals with a wide audience. (Full disclosure: my son is the executive producer of the show, and I was fortunate to be able to leverage that connection to amplify our reach.)

In addition, I facilitated signage with the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway—the longest bridge over water in the United States at 24 miles. With approximately 300,000 commuters crossing the causeway daily, getting Lab Week recognized on their digital display screens meant major exposure for our profession.

Conclusion

True advocacy involves more than just speaking up, it requires showing up. Whether I’m introducing students to clinical laboratory science, building community among current professionals, or speaking to policymakers, I remain committed to amplifying the voice of our profession. The more visible we become, the stronger our future will be.

Judy Garic is the Compliance Specialist for Pathology Resource Network in Shreveport, Louisiana.