Media Release

For: Immediate Release
Date: April 24, 2006
Contact: Carol Hall-Walker (401) 222-2589

National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week

The Rhode Island Department of Health Laboratory is celebrating National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, April 23–29. This celebration provides laboratory professionals with a unique opportunity to increase public understanding of and appreciation for their work.

National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week originated in 1975 as National Medical Laboratory Week. In the fall of 2005, the name was changed to emphasize the professional whose expertise is needed in the performance of laboratory testing. Sponsored primarily by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week has been co-sponsored and supported by a variety of organizations through the years.

Approximately 300,000 professionals practice clinical laboratory science in the United States. At the Rhode Island Department of Health Laboratory, over 85 scientists, technicians and support staff play an increasingly vital role in the diagnosis of disease in Rhode Island. At HEALTH, laboratory professionals’ specialized fields include biology, environmental science, and forensics. Today, the clinical laboratory professional is a key member of a health care team.

Core functions of the Department of Health Laboratory include, disease prevention, control and surveillance, emergency response, environmental health and protection, food safety, integrated data management, laboratory improvement and regulation, public health related research, reduction of violence and crime, and reference and specialized testing.

Despite their essential role, 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 quality health care assurance and professional accountability, organizations representing laboratory professionals have a responsibility to ensure that the public is well informed about clinical laboratory competency.

For more information on the Laboratory go to http://www.health.ri.gov/labs/index.php