Volume 39 Number 6 | December 2025
Summary
Ali Murphy reflects on a difficult period of depression and how attending the ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting reminded her of the true value of ASCLS membership. Beyond webinars and discounts, the organization offers deep personal connections, support, and friendship. Ali’s “lab family” provided encouragement, community, and belonging—intangible benefits that became the most meaningful part of membership.
Ali Murphy, MHA, MLS(ASCP)CM, caPM, ASCLS Director and ASCLS Today Volunteer Contributor
Being human is usually a fantastic experience. But sometimes life is hard. Sometimes, mental health issues get the best of you. I struggled with a sudden decline in my mental health earlier this year. The point of this article is not to discuss why I struggled with depression, but to emphasize the value of an ASCLS membership. This chapter in my life showed me the value of my membership with ASCLS.
Leading up the ASCLS, AGT & SAFMLS Joint Annual Meeting, I honestly contemplated not attending. My desire and willingness to go was nearly zero, but I needed to uphold my obligations as a member of the Board of Directors. I remembered my special commitment to Heather Herrington. Miles Tompkins and I had nominated her for induction into Alpha Mu Tau Fraternity (AMTF), a service-based fraternity dedicated to providing scholarships to the next generation of laboratorians.
When Heather asked me to nominate her, I was elated. It was only my second year in AMTF, and this was my first nomination. I was honored to represent an incredibly talented, outspoken, and dedicated member of ASCLS. This alone motivated me to fly out to Sacramento. My personal connection as an ASCLS member gave me this opportunity, and I could not let it pass. I had to go.
When I boarded my flight from Las Vegas to Sacramento, I was happy to see that other members of the ASCLS family, the Garzas from Wisconsin, were sharing my flight. I was reminded why I love attending these events—the extended network of ASCLS members.
At the conference, I still hadn’t gotten out of my rut. I found myself not wanting to attend gatherings, even small ones. The idea of in-person social interactions made me want to stay in my room.
That is where my lab family came to the rescue. My roommate, the wonderful Crystal Jerome, is an ASCLS member who I met a few years ago and developed a strong friendship with. When she found me in bed with the shades drawn, she acted as a guiding light, giving me the encouragement I needed to brave the crowds. She was my emotional support human, and I could not ask for a better friend.
“My most prized membership benefit has been building my network of colleagues from across the country.”
It must have been obvious to those who knew me that I was struggling, because every member of my lab family asked me if I was okay. That shows why an ASCLS membership is so valuable. People from across the country, most of whom I only saw once a year, came to my side in my time of need. I felt love and support from so many wonderful people, which strengthened my connections with my lab family.
When you attend your first ASCLS event, you’ll meet a ton of people. Even introverts can expect to be greeted, joined at their tables, and mingled with at networking or exhibitor events. The more outgoing attendees will quickly become known.
On the following day, meeting people for a second time strengthens your personal connections. That level of recognition brings comfort and leads to more conversations, smiles, and waves. Your coincidental meeting on the first day can flourish into becoming acquaintances the next.
At future events, you will look forward to seeing these people again and catching up. They become your friends, or a sort of second family—your lab family. A group of wonderful people whom you look forward to seeing at events or even making time to include them in your personal life because you feel a connection that transcends a simple membership.
ASCLS membership includes free webinars, conference discounts, online communities, a career center, and mentorship opportunities. These are the tangible benefits of a membership, but they pale in comparison to the intangible ones. Opportunities for growth and leadership, advocating for the profession, and making a positive impact are other strong intangible benefits. My most prized membership benefit has been building my network of colleagues from across the country.
It can be hard to make friends as an adult, but membership has gained me so many new friends. I never could have imagined an ASCLS membership would offer me so much.
Ali Murphy is an LIS Technical Specialist at HealthPartners in Minneapolis, Minnesota.