National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week

Saved Topics: Membership, Public Health Lab Systems

National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week
April 19-25, 2009

In this 34th year, National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (NMLPW) celebrates the important contributions that are made every day to healthcare and public health by all laboratory professionals. It is sponsored by ten laboratory professional organizations, including APHL. There are approximately 300,000 practitioners of laboratory science in the United States. Since the development of this career group in the 1920s, the laboratory science professional has played an increasingly vital role in the diagnosis and prevention of disease.

As team members of one of the largest industries in the United States, the dedicated efforts of laboratory professionals often go unnoticed by the general public, as well as by the very institutions employing their services. With the public now demanding the assurance of quality health care and professional accountability, organizations representing practitioners of this critical science have a responsibility to ensure that the public is well informed about laboratory competency.

Beyond meeting this public need, the celebration of NMLPW will help increase recognition for the profession as it improves the individual practitioner's sense of self-worth. Further, as the various professional groups within laboratory practice work together on this project, the sense of unity and purpose necessary to further the goals of all laboratorians are reinforced.

Laboratory Professionals Get Results!

Please join APHL in celebrating National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. The theme this year is “Laboratory Professionals Get Results.” NMLPW recognizes all laboratory professionals and the Association of Public Health Laboratories (APHL), in particular, recognizes public health laboratory professionals for their vital contributions to the health of the nation. NMLPW is a unique opportunity for you to promote awareness and demonstrate the importance of the public health laboratory in your community.

There are several ways for you to celebrate this week including a press release or a mayoral/gubernatorial proclamation. A sample proclamation that you can adapt to recognize your labs and sample press releases are available at www.labweek.org. There, you can also see some of the news items (including one regarding the CT PHL) that were published in 2008.

Here are some suggestions as you begin to plan your NMLPW festivities:

Exhibit: Your lab can create an exhibit featuring sections of the laboratory.

Social event: A breakfast, luncheon or other function for staff of the health department is an excellent informal networking opportunity.

Open house: An open house, complete with tours, for all employees and the public will help to showcase the lab.

Opinion-editorial piece for local newspapers and/or magazines: An article recognizing the dedication and professionalism of your public health laboratory staff is a great marketing opportunity.

Advertise NMLPW within the lab: Create a banner, hang posters and distribute buttons to employees.

Newsletter for NMLPW: Distribute a special newsletter throughout your public health department highlighting the efforts of laboratory staff.

Public service announcement: Create an announcement for the local radio and television stations.

Involve your Lab Director: Invite your Laboratory Director to address the staff and personally thank them for their efforts.

*Remember to ask those vendors from whom you order supplies and equipment for financial sponsorship for some of these events. They are often more than willing to assist you.

The NMLPW allows us to celebrate the laboratory profession with the more than 280,000 laboratory professionals in the United States.

APHL salutes our all of our members for a job well done, and we hope you enjoy your NMLPW festivities.

For more information, ideas and resources regarding celebrating this week in your laboratory, visit:

ASCLS

ASCP

Advance for Medical Laboratory Professionals

National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week

contact

Linette Granen

Press Release

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