ASCP Ambassadors Elevate the Visibility of Laboratory Professionals

Two ASCP volunteers are doing their part to address the laboratory workforce shortage by serving as ASCP Ambassadors going out to high schools, colleges, health fairs, and other local events to talk about the various careers in the clinical laboratory.  

“I've spoken to students about the diverse and meaningful career paths in medical laboratory science, particularly highlighting phlebotomy, clinical chemistry, and the vital behind the scenes impact of laboratory professionals,” says LaTerra Slate, BS-HSc, MPH-GHE, MLT(ASCP)^CM, PBT(ASCP)^CM, of Columbus, Ohio.  

Ms. Slate incorporates her work as an ASCP Ambassador with her role as an instructor at Intelvio, as a DBA Phlebotomy Training Specialist and founder of E4RTH Allied Health & Wellness LLC, which provides integrative, laboratory-based wellness services, including CLIA-waived testing and community education. She is also pursuing a Doctor of Science in Integrative Health. 

“Being an ASCP Ambassador allows me to elevate the voices and contributions of laboratory professionals, who are often overlooked despite their critical role in health care,” she says. “I want young people, especially from underrepresented communities, to see that they can thrive in laboratory science careers. The ASCP Ambassador Program allows us to change perceptions, inspire future laboratory professionals, and build pride in our profession. It also helps bridge the gap between clinical teams and the laboratory by fostering understanding, collaboration, and mutual respect.” 

Whether at health fairs, community college panels, wellness workshops, or local events, Ms. Slate represents the laboratory profession and explains how it connects to public health outcomes, diagnostic accuracy, and patient-centered care. 

Through E4RTH Wellness Labs, she plans to launch a public-facing educational series connecting laboratory testing to chronic disease prevention, integrative care, and overall community health. Her long-term goal is to build a workforce pipeline by mentoring students entering phlebotomy, MLT programs, and other clinical laboratory roles—helping them view laboratory science “not just as a job, but as a calling.” 

Meanwhile, Carlee Demeter, MHS, MLS(ASCP)^CMPA(ASCP)^CM, a pathologists’ assistant and assistant professor at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, was recruited to serve as an ASCP Ambassador by her colleague and fellow ASCP volunteer Kerwin Kohlheffer, MS, PA(ASCP)CM.   

“Kerwin is heavily involved as an ASCP Ambassador, and he invited me to help him with the first ASCP NextPo-to-Go event at our institution to talk about medical laboratory careers with local high school students,” she explains. “After the event, he encouraged me to become an Ambassador to continue spreading the word of our profession, and I have really enjoyed it!”  

NextPo-to-Go is a digital toolkit, which includes online training sessions where ASCP gives its volunteers the tools they need to set up NextPo at their laboratory or other location. Ms. Demeter said she, Mr. Kolheffer, and a few other ASCP members are preparing to host their second NextPo-to-Go event in early May.  

Ms. Demeter explained, “During the event, we talk with students about the various laboratory professions, and ASCP. Then we do an ice-breaker activity to get everyone engaged before we split into groups to provide the students with hands-on activities related to careers as a pathologists’ assistant in surgical pathology and forensics, medical laboratory scientist, histotechnologist, and cytotechnologist. The students seem very engaged and ask a lot of great questions. They really appreciate learning about careers they had never known about.” 

As a result of ASCP Ambassadors' various career outreach efforts, these initiatives are gaining traction in communities across the nation.  

“When I was an undergrad in college, I had no idea about medical laboratory careers!” Ms. Demeter exclaims. “So just being an advocate for all laboratory professions is exciting, and I am proud to support this outreach!” 

Learn about ASCP Ambassadors here.