MEDICAL LABORATORY PROFESSIONALS WEEK

MEDICAL LABORATORY PROFESSIONALS WEEK

National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (NMLPW) is an annual celebration of the medical laboratory professionals and pathologists who play a vital role in every aspect of health care. NMLPW, takes place the last full week in April each year. It is coordinated by a collaborative committee with representatives from 17 national clinical laboratory organizations.

Medical laboratory professionals are vital members of the medical community. Their work assists doctors in diagnosing and treating illnesses. They also help to document progress assisting doctors to determine whether treatments are working or not. The laboratory also lets us know when we are doing things right and maintaining our optimum health.

HOW TO OBSERVE #MedicalLaboratoryProfessionalsWeek

• Watch for an open house that a local clinic or hospital may sponsor.

• Take your children to inspire them to become a laboratory professional.

• Invite a laboratory professional to give a slide show presentation of the clinical laboratory at civic club meetings, in hospital lobbies, or in schools.

• Use #LaboratoryProfessionalsWeek, #lab4life #labweek to share on social media.

MEDICAL LABORATORY PROFESSIONALS WEEK HISTORY

Medical Laboratory Professionals Week originated in 1975 as National Medical Laboratory Week, or NMLW, under the auspices of the American Society for Medical Technology, now called the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS). In subsequent years, other organizations have served as cosponsors and campaign supporters. In 2005, National Medical Laboratory Week was changed to National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week to emphasize the person whose expertise is needed in the performance of laboratory testing

Beginning with the 2013 celebration the word “National” was dropped from the title for brevity, and it became Medical Laboratory Professionals Week.