2008-2009 Messages from the ASCP President
Personalized Learning in the Era of Personalized Medicine
July 2009—Everyone is talking about it. It is being discussed in medical journals, in the mainstream news media, and by colleagues in pathology and other medical specialties. It is the coming era of personalized medicine. (The full message can be read on page 6 of the July 2009 issue of Critical Values in PDF or e-book format.)
Seeing the Laboratory Through the Eyes of a Musician
April 2009—Just as any laboratory is a diverse collection of professionals who work in concert to achieve excellence in laboratory medicine, the ASCP is an organization that, from its inception, has recognized the importance of harmony in the laboratory. more...
ASCP—Helping Laboratorians Help Patients
January 2009—New ASCP President, Barbara J. McKenna, MD, FASCP spoke at the ASCP Annual Business Meeting and at the ASCP Annual Meeting Opening Ceremonies. Her talk asked the question, "What is the American Society for Clinical Pathology all about?" And she provided the answer: helping pathologists and laboratorians help patients. more...
ASCP is Listening
October 2008—One-time journalist, magazine editor and short story writer Mignon McLaughlin once said, “A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a short while he (or she) gets to know something.” McLaughlin makes a good point. It is important for individuals to learn to listen better. It is equally important for organizations to work on listening to and hearing their members. more...
2008-2009 Messages from the ASCP Council of Laboratory Professionals Chair
Reinventing Personnel Management: New Challenges
July 2009— In any standard management textbook, the old adage, “our people are our greatest resource,” appears in the chapter on personnel management. Never before has this statement been truer. In most laboratories retirement parties far outnumber bridal and baby showers, mainly because the most experienced laboratory professionals are leaving the field and fewer young recruits are stepping in to fill the ranks. (The full message can be read on page 9 of the July 2009 issue of Critical Values in PDF or e-book or MP3 format.)
Feeling the Effects of the Economic Downturn
April 2009—While the general public often assumes that health care is a recession-proof industry, I think most people who work in the clinical laboratory field would beg to differ. As director of a system laboratory with more than 200 staff members, I know our laboratory has felt the impact of the economic downturn—and we are certainly not alone. more...
Focusing on Students, Our Future Leaders
January 2009— Laboratory personnel shortages are already widespread, but over the next decade these shortages could mushroom to critical levels. In June 2008 the ASCP Task Force on Communication responded by identifying high school, community college, and university students as key targets for ASCP communication. The need to reach out to students who have an interest in biological sciences or health care is obvious, especially considering the large number of laboratory professionals who are baby boomers. more...
‘Can You Hear Me Now?’
October 2008—You probably recognize the catchy phrase above from a well known advertisement used by a prominent American company to promote its cellular service. “Can you hear me now?” reminds me of the exciting new opportunity I will have as chair of the ASCP Council of Laboratory Professionals to reach out and “speak” to so many of my fellow laboratory professionals. more...
2008-2009 Messages from the ASCP Resident Council Chair
Take Advantage of a Valuable Career Development Tool
July 2009— One of the most important months of my residency was an external rotation. I consider myself lucky because this is an opportunity many residents do not get—their institution does not offer it, family obligations get in the way, or it is not financially feasible. Some might not even know that such an opportunity exists. (The full message can be read on page 11 of the July 2009 issue of Critical Values in PDF or e-book format.)
ASCP: Serving the Needs of Residents
April 2009— ASCP offers a litany of products, grants, educational courses, and other resources to help residents on their journey to board examinations and beyond. Many of these resources are offered either free of charge or at significant discount to residents. This article highlights some of the most important ones. more...
Out of the Laboratory and into the World: Residents Must Lead the Way
January 2009— As I begin my year as Chair of the ASCP Resident Council, I am cognizant of the great honor and huge responsibility passed on to me and members of the Council. A great deal was accomplished last year, but further action and development are required. While some members know me well, many others do not. Let me begin with a brief biography. more...