Foster a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Profession

Through our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiative, ASCP seeks to cultivate a pathology and laboratory medicine profession in which all individuals thrive through appreciation, respect, and engagement. To achieve this goal, we have been working to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the empowerment of women and underrepresented minorities by creating related strategies in the areas of awareness, recruitment, talent development, and the development of inclusive and equitable workplaces. Our aim is to allow all to grow and succeed and to empower individual laboratories to reflect the communities they serve.

Why Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Matters

By fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive laboratory workforce, laboratories can address disparities and inequities, as well as strengthen the workforce pipeline; increase employee retention, productivity, and morale; and generate greater profitability and value creation. By representing the communities they serve, laboratories can expand their cultural competency and awareness of patients’ cultures.

What ASCP Is Doing

Awareness

Building awareness around pathology and laboratory medicine as career is an important first step to cultivating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce. The ASCP Career Ambassador and Pathology Ambassador programs empower pathologists, laboratory professionals, and residents to promote careers in the medical laboratory in their communities.

Mentorship

Mentorship opportunities provide support, learning, and development key to helping all individuals grow professionally. The ASCP Mentorship program connects individuals with specific skills and experience (mentors) with individuals looking to grow in their careers by learning from others (mentees).

Education

Education and training empowers laboratories and their employees to foster diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces. ASCP is developing educational content and training solutions in areas such as implicit bias, cultural competency, talent management, and leadership development to guide medical laboratories and their employees in creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace.

Partnerships

Collaboration is vital to developing a diverse, equitable, and inclusive pathology and laboratory medicine profession. ASCP is developing partnerships with programs and associations focused on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the empowerment of women and underrepresented minorities to enhance our ability to empower laboratories and members of the profession.

How to Get Involved

Participate in the awareness and mentorship aspects of ASCP's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiative by volunteering for the ASCP Career Ambassador or Pathology Ambassador programs or ASCP Mentorship program.

Leverage ASCP’s diversity, equity, and inclusion resources to promote a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workforce at your institution or organization.

Nominate a member for recognition! As a part of ASCP's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion initiative, we recognize the diversity of our members during key awareness months throughout the year. Submit a nomination to help us to recognize our members while driving awareness and fostering engagement around diversity within the profession.

Join ASCP’s conversation on diversity, equity, and inclusion! If you have a story about creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace or an idea for how to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the laboratory, email diversity@ascp.org or use the hashtag #LabDiversityMatters on social media.