Volume 39 Number 5 | October 2025
Summary

Kyle B. Riding, ASCLS President 2025-26, emphasizes “community” as central to the Society’s mission. He highlights belonging as a source of acceptance, courage, and resilience, especially amid burnout and staffing shortages. He pledges to foster inclusivity, elevate diverse voices, and encourage engagement, ensuring ASCLS remains a true professional home where every medical laboratory professional feels valued and supported.

Kyle B. Riding, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, ASCLS President, 2025-2026

Kyle B. RidingAs I begin my term as president of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, I find myself reflecting on our organization’s core values and strategic pillars. One pillar stands out as both timeless and more relevant than ever: Community.

As professionals who often work behind the scenes, our critical work is essential, yet frequently invisible to those we serve. The sense of belonging that ASCLS can provide is not just comforting, it’s vital. But what exactly does it mean to belong? Well, there are many definitions.

The Oxford Dictionary defines it as, “A person’s sense of attachment to, and rootedness in, a specific community.”

Cornell University says belonging is, “the feeling of security and support when there is a sense of acceptance, inclusion, and identity for a member of a certain group.”

However, my favorite definition comes from leadership expert Dr. Brené Brown, who says, “Belonging is being part of something bigger than yourself. But it’s also the courage to stand alone, and to belong to yourself above all else.”

Across these definitions, some key themes emerge. Belonging builds attachment, it brings acceptance, and it promotes courage. Because of these themes, one of my goals over the next year is to deepen our culture of belonging. This means:

  • Listening to members—especially those who feel their perspectives are marginalized or underrepresented.
  • Creating more opportunities for engagement across generations, disciplines, and geographies.
  • Celebrating the diversity of experiences that make our profession so rich.

Why does this matter so much to me? Well, belonging to a community plays a crucial role in supporting our mental health—a topic I am deeply passionate about.

During my life, I have navigated my own struggles and triumphs in mental health. The past few years have emphasized the importance of this journey of wellness for me and many of you. From the front lines of the pandemic to ongoing challenges of staffing shortages and associated burnout, many of us have felt the weight of our responsibilities more acutely than ever. In such times, isolation can be dangerous. It can lead to disengagement, fatigue, and even despair.

But belonging to a community offers a powerful antidote. I have always been able to lean on my ASCLS community when I find myself in a space of struggle. Those around me in this organization have uplifted me during times of immense challenges, and this community has allowed me to feel seen and supported. I hope you can say the same.

Belonging to the ASCLS community also supports our resilience. In my estimation, laboratory professionals are some of the most resilient human beings on the face of the Earth. There is little room for any more resiliency within our ranks—you bring so much to the table as it is. But some days, when things seem particularly challenging, the feeling that you belong to a group that understands your struggles supports that power each of you carries in your hearts.

This isn’t new to ASCLS. Our events, forums, and volunteer opportunities are not just about skill-building. They are about creating spaces where professionals can connect while celebrating the unique attributes and perspectives that empower them as professionals. The sense of belonging this connectedness creates is more than a feeling—it is a professional value. It fosters collaboration and strengthens our commitment to ethical practice. When we belong to a community of peers, we are more likely to speak up and advocate for ourselves and our patients.

With that, I invite each of you to reflect on how you experience community and belonging within ASCLS. This association wants you to have a voice, to feel heard, and to feel valued. I encourage each of you to use our social media platforms, ASCLS Connect, and in-person events to share your perspective on pressing topics facing our profession. In fact, I challenge each of you to make one post in ASCLS Connect or tag ASCLS in a story that resonates with you.

Make your voice heard and feel safe in doing so—because you belong here and your voice matters.

This call to action is the foundation to belonging because it assures your voice has a space. And trust me when I say that we will be listening, because this organization truly values what each of you brings. And together, we can ensure that ASCLS remains not just a professional organization, but a true community—a place where every laboratory professional can feel as though they belong.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I look forward to the year ahead and to all that we will accomplish—together.

References

Kyle B. Riding is Program Director and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of New Hampshire in Durham, New Hampshire.