ASCP Donation of Textbooks Enhances Teaching Abilities in Rwanda

Karen A. Brown, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, and Melissa K. Meeks, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, left a lasting legacy from ASCP in Rwanda. Over seven days in May, they taught 20 trainers, who will pass along the new knowledge to other laboratory professionals. And the ASCP representatives left resources that will be remembered and reach even more people: textbooks on topics as wide-ranging as phlebotomy, tumors of haematopoietic and lymphoid tissues, clinical chemistry, histotechnology, urinalysis and body fluids, human parasitology, clinical laboratory hematology, and blood banking.

When Ms. Brown and Ms. Meeks toted 17 textbooks in their suitcases to Gisenyi, Rwanda, they knew laboratory professionals there would be appreciative. Still they were surprised at the impact the textbooks will have for laboratory professionals in the library at the Kigali Health Institute, Kigali, Rwanda.

“May I on behalf of the Biomedical Laboratory Sciences-Kigali Health Institute convey a warm word of thanks to the two persons who have greatly enhanced our teaching abilities through these donations,” wrote Lawrence Obado Osuwat, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, Department of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Kigali Health Institute (KHI) on June 10 to the Director of the Library at KHI.

“I know these textbooks will be used; they are precious in Rwanda,” said Ms. Brown, Program Director—Medical Laboratory Science, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City. “We take so much for granted in the United States. In Rwanda, it’s hard to find these textbooks and even tougher to find the resources to buy them.”

Since pathologists are very scarce in Rwanda, clinicians often rely on laboratory professionals to make the right diagnoses for their patients, according to Ms. Meeks, Manager, Examination Activities at the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC).

A long-time instructor, Ms. Brown taught hematology as did Ms. Meeks. A recent graduate with a master’s degree in molecular biology, Ms. Meeks taught that subject as well. The two laboratory professionals took turns giving the lectures to the class in the morning. They partnered with Mr. Osuwat during the laboratory activities in the afternoon, so they could all help the students with the hands-on activities.

“It’s great to be out in the world and in the laboratory, helping people deliver better patient care,” Ms. Meeks said.

Ms. Brown concurred and added, “I can see the changes we’re making and the impact we have when we’re here. Recently, one student sent me an e-mail to say that what he learned from us is already being used in the laboratory. It’s rewarding to know that I am improving patient care in other countries.”

Over the years, the ASCP BOC has regularly sent textbooks to countries in Africa. Traditionally, the books have been shipped. Ms. Brown and Ms. Meeks took the initiative to hand carry them into Rwanda.

For more stories like this, click here for the September Issue of the BOC International Certification Report (ICR).