Next-generation sequencing methods and multi-gene panels have entered clinical practice. Learn how genomic pathology impacts your career as a pathologist or laboratory professional during the TRIG Workshop: Genomics 101: Practical Information for Patient Care on Monday, November 17. 

The TRIG Workshop is one of several workshops that will take place the day before the ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting kicks off, Nov. 18-20, in Atlanta. As you plan your schedule for the ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting, be sure to check out these additional “Deep Dive” Workshops which offer a valuable opportunity to enhance your knowledge and put into immediate use when you return home to your laboratory.  

This additional programming will be available to anyone who is registered for the ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting and will offer 4 CME/CMLE credits upon completion. Below is an overview of these Deep Dive Workshops: 

The TRIG Workshop 

Presenters Bijal Parikh, MD, FASCP, and Richard Haspel, MD, FASCP, use a case-based, interactive small-group approach, allowing participants to learn introductory principles related to the use of genomic assays and interpretation of results. The workshop will also include practical hands-on instruction with the use of online genomic pathology tools. Drs. Parikh and Haspel are both members of a national committee made up of experts in molecular pathology, medical education, and medical genetics. Learn more and register here.  

NAACLS Fall 2025 Hybrid Workshop 

This session, titled Accreditation Accelerator: Fast Track Your Compliance Confidence, will take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST on Monday, Nov. 17. This presentation will focus on the individual accreditation standards and offer practical advice and examples for creating the Self-Study Report and hosting the Site Visit. Presenters Jennifer Knight, MLS(ASCP)CM and James March Mistler, MLS(ASCP)CM will provide recommendations on how to avoid common mistakes and citations and highlight awards and follow-up reports.  

The objectives will be for participants to 1.) recognize the rationale of each standard and how it impacts program accreditation; 2.) Review frequently cited standards, identifying common areas of non-compliance and best practices for adherence; and 3.) Identify proactive strategies and resources available to comply with the 2024 Standards. Please note, this workshop is separate from the ASCP Annual Meeting. Registration must be processed through NAACLS here.  

Society for Black Pathologists Day of Culture 

This event, from 1-5 p.m. EST, Monday, Nov. 17, will celebrate voices from across the global pathology and laboratory medicine community. Renowned scientists, practitioners, and changemakers will come together to explore shared experiences, collective challenges, and cross-continental solutions within the field. The keynote address, “Resilience Over Resources – Thriving Beyond Challenges,” will set the tone by reframing limitations as opportunities. Learn how pathology professionals across the diaspora are driving innovation, even in under-resourced environments.  

Later, hear from trailblazers who are making real progress on disparities in pathology and laboratory medicine. These 15-minute oral spotlights will showcase research, strategic projects, and on-the-ground efforts happening across multiple sectors of the diaspora.  

The objectives will be for participants to 1.) Explore how culture and context shape medical practice across the diaspora; 2.) Engage in meaningful discussions about health equity and global collaboration; 3.) Build relationships with colleagues from around the world; and 4.) Leave energized and equipped with actionable insights for your organization and community. 

Additional Deep Dive Workshops 

Two other Deep Dive Workshops include “Turning Laboratory Data into Insights: Introduction to the R Programming Language” and “Everyone is a Leader and Even Leaders Need Coaches.” You’ll find information on all of these Nov. 17 sessions here.  

There will also be 10 virtual pre-meeting sessions included in all registrations as well as on-demand recorded sessions that are available as add on options for an additional fee.  

Learn more about all ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting sessions, lodging, events and registration by clicking here! 

Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo (CMHHIP) laboratory is the first laboratory to achieve the Leading Laboratories recognition since the program’s recent relaunch. The Leading Laboratories program, originally open only to laboratories that pass inspection by The Joint Commission, now allows all laboratories to apply for recognition. CMHHIP is the sixth laboratory in the nation to achieve this designation.   

The Leading Laboratories designation recognizes laboratory teams for exemplary leadership, mentorship, and innovative best practices. The designation supports a positive, patient-centric mission, increasing visibility for laboratories and their vital role in a patient’s healthcare journey.   

“We are deeply gratified that national accreditation has recognized the excellence of this laboratory, that was apparent to me from the start,” says A.O. Singleton, III, MD, chief of medical staff at the Colorado Mental Health Hospital in Pueblo.   

Blair Presti, MD, medical director of the laboratory, notes, “This is a well-deserved accreditation recognizing the excellence of the laboratory, its personnel, and its leadership.”  

CMHHIP is a 516-bed acute care psychiatric hospital with a fully functioning laboratory of 12 staff members.   

Christina Bazanele-Sabatka, MLS(ASCP)CM, CMHHIP director of laboratory service, adds, “This designation allows our team to show the laboratory’s success. Throughout this application process, we motivated and lifted one another up to achieve that goal.” 

The impetus to apply for the Leading Laboratories designation began last fall, following an inspection of the laboratory by The Joint Commission. During that time, the auditor expressed high praise for the laboratory department and recommended to the hospital leadership that they apply for Leading Laboratories status.  

“We worked as a team and were put in touch with ASCP, which informed us that we met the criteria to move forward with the application,” Ms. Bazanele-Sabatka explains. “We began the process in December and worked together to finish by May. Throughout the application process, the laboratory team collaborated on group projects and  incorporated staff input on key outcomes, indicators, and metrics in the areas of quality outcomes, professional development, trusted leadership, and laboratory visibility.”   

The CMHHIP Laboratory fosters a collaborative and transparent environment by partnering with medical providers, hospital leadership, community organizations, and staff to enhance quality outcomes. It actively supports employees' professional growth by providing resources and encourages open communication and idea-sharing to facilitate process improvement. Additionally, the laboratory emphasizes visibility and community engagement, aiming to shift perceptions by highlighting the vital role of scientists in patient care, thereby encouraging a deeper understanding and appreciation of their contributions in a clinical setting.  

Faced with a growing workforce shortage, many laboratory directors nationwide are hiring new employees who may  need guidance on foundational laboratory literacy.  

“Many new hires come in with various levels of knowledge and recall about working in the clinical laboratory. It requires time for laboratory directors and preceptors to train them,” says Kristen Pesavento, EdD, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMMBCM, graduate program director of Medical Laboratory Science, Loyola University Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health. “It is even harder for laboratories in rural settings to hire people to fill vacancies and reinforce these basic concepts. The current workforce gap is not just affecting clinical laboratories, but also public health laboratories that are trying to keep up with the demand for testing.”  

To support laboratories and scientists or technicians facing this challenge, ASCP has launched the ASCP Basic Medical Laboratory Skills training package —free virtual education that equips laboratory professionals and future laboratory professionals with foundational skills for working in a medical laboratory.   

This set of six eLearning courses was developed with funding through ASCP’s Cooperative Agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in service of the CDC’s OneLabTM initiative. The six-part series can be taken as an entire package or as individual eLearning courses.  

Members of the ASCP Workforce Steering Committee developed the basic curriculum for this education; individual eLearning courses were developed by numerous ASCP member subject matter experts who hold active medical laboratory roles.    

“The series offers six modules created by ASCP to provide a primer for essential skills, or to serve as a refresher for those already working in the laboratory,” explains Dr. Pesavento, who created the laboratory mathematics and the basic operations of laboratory equipment courses.    

Course topics address laboratory safety, laboratory terminology, laboratory math, basic operations of laboratory equipment, routine procedures, and quality control. The series is available in the ASCP Store and provides 1.0 CMLE credit per course.  

Dr. Pesavento says the workforce shortage was already occurring before the COVID-19 pandemic began in early 2020. As generations of laboratory professionals naturally reached retirement age or sought to leave health care, the demand for scientists and technicians has only increased.   

Though intended to help onboard hires new to the clinical laboratory, this training package would also be ideal for other members of the healthcare team looking to learn core principles of the clinical laboratory, refresher trainings for in-service lab team members, program directors interested in leveraging the course content to supplement their existing training programs, and international laboratory scientists wanting to build additional exposure and confidence in core clinical laboratory concepts in English.   

“If you are working in a clinical laboratory, your work impacts lives. People working in the laboratory need to understand why they are doing certain things, and the ASCP Basic Medical Laboratory Skills series helps to remind us of the fundamental theories behind the testing,” Dr. Pesavento says.   

Access the ASCP Basic Medical Laboratory Skills here.   

ICYMI: ASCP and PLUGS Design Education to Enhance Diagnostic Testing of Celiac Disease

Celiac disease is frequently underdiagnosed or mistaken for other conditions. To address this, ASCP is partnering with Patient-Centered Laboratory Utilization Guidance Services (PLUGS) to create educational resources that clarify which laboratory tests are most appropriate—and when to use them—for accurate diagnosis and effective management of celiac disease. Read more.  

• ASCP is opposing federal legislation that would authorize pharmacists to practice medicine 

The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) joined a host of other medical societies in raising concern in Congress about the Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act. This legislation would allow pharmacists to perform Evaluation and Management services for influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat).  

In a letter developed by the American Medical Association (AMA), ASCP joined almost 80 other medical societies in raising concerns with Congressional leaders that evaluation and management services “constitute the practice of medicine and fall well beyond the scope of training of a pharmacist.”  Another concern is that the legislation would allow the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to authorize pharmacists to conduct testing and treatment for any services that “address[es] a public health need related to [a] public health emergency declared under Section 319 of the Public Health Service Act.” The legislation, the letter warned, puts patient safety at risk.  

• ASCP unveils new career resource highlighting the laboratory profession 
• ASCP promotes laboratory profession at American School Counselor Association convention 

In alignment with its ongoing mission to elevate and expand the medical laboratory workforce, the ASCP Workforce Steering Committee (WSC), in collaboration with the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC), has launched a new career resource titled: “Where Can Medical Laboratory Science Take You?”  

This engaging tool offers a comprehensive look at the diverse range of career settings available to medical laboratory professionals, from hospitals and public health agencies to research institutions, biotech, industry, and academia. Designed to complement existing and updated outreach tools, such as ASCP’s Laboratory Career Roadmap and Laboratory Career one-pagers, this resource can help students, educators, and counselors visualize real-world applications of laboratory science and understand the versatility and long-term value of careers in the field. This new tool has been shared with ASCP’s network of Ambassadors to increase their ability to inform and inspire the next generation of laboratorians across all engagement settings. 

ASCP also recently participated in the 2025 American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Annual Conference in Long Beach, California, which drew more than 4,700 attendees. In collaboration with Commission on Laboratory Accreditation (COLA), the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), and ASCP Career Ambassadors, the team engaged with nearly 400 school counselors and education professionals, using a robust suite of resources to promote careers in medical laboratory science. Materials such as the Laboratory Career Roadmap, Where Can Medical Laboratory Science Take You?,  Save Lives Tomorrow (stories from Patient Champions), Dr. Alvin Ring Empowerment Scholarship information, and Lab Drawers™ classroom kits served as key touchpoints in these conversations. Through informative discussions, ASCP and its partners effectively showcased the depth, purpose, and accessibility of laboratory careers, positioning the profession as a vital and inspiring pathway for students nationwide. 

• The powerful Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill maintaining FY 2025 funding for NIH and some CDC global health programs 

• The spending blueprint reverses plans to eliminate HRSA and CDC Cancer Center 
  

• Planned cuts to some global programs at NIH and CDC would also be reversed. 

In a solid bipartisan vote of 29-3, the Senate Appropriations Committee recently approved its FY 2026 spending bill for the U.S. Departments of Labor, Health and Humans Services, and Education. In doing so, the spending committee proposed restoring funding to critical healthcare agencies and programs that had been targeted for significant cuts. Included among them are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s Division for Cancer Prevention and Control (DCPC) and the Health Resource and Services Administration (HRSA), responsible for most federal workforce development initiatives. Both the DCPC and HRSA were targeted for elimination in President Trump’s budget proposal.

The spending blueprint would increase funding for the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH’s) budget by $400 million, increasing funding to $48.7 billion. The Trump administration had proposed cutting NIH funding by $18 billion, approximately 40 percent less than for the current fiscal year. The Committee also voted to reverse the administration’s proposal to cap indirect research grant costs at 15 percent, a move that, if included in the final bill, should alleviate some of the financial pressure on medical schools, universities, and other research centers. 

The Committee’s spending draft would also restore some of the global health funding the Trump Administration has proposed cutting from the federal budget. While most global health programs are funded through a separate spending bill for the State Department, the measure recently approved includes funds for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC’s) global health programs and the National Institutes of Health’s global health research initiatives. The Committee’s bill would provide $693 million to CDC and $95 million for NIH for these initiatives—the same amounts as provided for FY 2025. The Senate bill rejects the administration’s plan to eliminate CDC’s Global Health Center. 

The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to begin work on their appropriations bills in September.  ASCP will be monitoring Congress’s FY 2026 spending bills and be will be working to ensure vital healthcare programs are adequately funded.

Anyone who has ever received an award from ASCP is keenly aware of how meaningful it is to be recognized by one’s peers. Yet few know about the enormous amount of time, care, and attention that goes into the selection process.  

Anne Walsh-Feeks, MS, MASCP, PA(ASCP)^CM, and Stephanie Whitehead, MBA, MPH, MLS(ASCP)^CM, both past honorees and current chairs, respectively, of the ASCP Annual Awards and ASCP 40 Under Forty selection committees, share a glimpse into the process.   

“Receiving an award is a career-defining moment. I was so incredibly honored, some years ago, to receive an Annual Award for Excellence in Management and a Mastership,” says Ms. Walsh-Feeks, now in her third year as chair of the ASCP Annual Awards Selection Committee.   

Her goal is to encourage more people to apply for the awards and to appreciate the impact they can have on an honoree’s career. She notes some honorees say they feel awkward asking a mentor to nominate them for an award. After some discussion, her committee successfully sought permission from ASCP’s leaders to allow individuals to nominate themselves for an award.  

“This option allows individuals to nominate themselves. They have to include a CV and a letter of nomination from another individual. We began that last year, and the number of submissions rose dramatically,” Ms. Walsh-Feeks says. 

To boost awareness that self-nomination is now an option, she promoted the concept at the spring ASCP Leadership Forum, a gathering of ASCP volunteer leaders and senior staff. 

“During breakout sessions, I met with each of the commissions, membership, residents, education, and I talked in depth about the self-nomination process,” she explains. “I also invited the chairs of each of the ASCP commissions to join the award selection committee in order to increase representation of the different constituent groups. It definitely made a difference!”    

Her counterpart, Ms. Whitehead, feels similarly about the value of the 40 Under Forty recognition program. Ms. Whitehead notes that “ASCP goes out of its way” to ensure that the honorees’ employers know of an individuals’ recognition, which is deeply meaningful to the honoree.   

“As a person who has received the 40 Under Forty recognition, I know that it shines a spotlight on the next generation of changemakers in the field,” she says, adding, “It actually strengthened my career.” 

Ms. Whitehead assumed the position as chair of the 40 Under Forty Selection Committee this year, after completing her term as chair of the Council of Laboratory Professionals.   

“Our committee has a rubric that is as concise, equitable, and objective as possible,” she explains. “There is a strong commitment to ensuring inclusion and representation of professionals from academia, rural, and urban environments, and all the various specialties and subspecialties within pathology and laboratory medicine. Representation of all our members from across the spectrum matters. We hope to ensure our future generation of laboratory professionals can see themselves represented in this group of honorees.”   

From a practical standpoint, both women are aware of the time constraints of reading all of the nominations. They are both very deliberate in taking only a handful of nominations to read per day. They encourage their fellow committee members to do the same.  

After narrowing down the initial lists, robust discussion becomes part of the decision-making process. The important thing for all nominees to know is that, if they are not selected one year, they can certainly apply again the following year. Ms. Walsh-Feeks’ committee retains the applications of individuals who were not selected and they will be automatically considered for selection next year.   

Learn more about the ASCP Annual Awards here, and the ASCP 40 Under Forty recognition program here. 

ASCP has joined more than 50 cancer organizations from 25 countries as a member of the Global Alliance for Cancer Patient Navigation (the Alliance), a collaborative effort spearheaded by the American Cancer Society (ACS) to advance sustainable patient navigation worldwide. Its mission is to develop a unified framework and shared principles for implementing sustainable, evidence-based patient navigation models across all resource settings.  

“ASCP is honored to join the Alliance as a Steering Committee member to ensure that laboratory medicine is represented in this global dialogue,” says Ken Landgraf, MS, Executive Director of ASCP’s Center for Global Health. “Accurate, timely pathology is foundational to patient navigation, and our voice is essential as these frameworks take shape.”  

Patient navigation goes global 

Patient navigation refers to a patient-centered approach to guiding individuals through the often complex journey of cancer diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship. While the concept has been embraced for years in the United States, there is growing momentum to make navigation a standard of care across health systems worldwide. Navigators help patients overcome barriers, such as lack of transportation, language obstacles, or confusion about treatment regimens. 

Recognizing the global rise in cancer incidence, particularly in medically underserved areas, the Alliance seeks to build adaptable navigation models that can be applied in a variety of health systems, from highly resourced to more limited environments. 

“ASCP has played a key role in patient navigation for a long time. It also understands the environment of working in other countries, as well as with policymakers,” said Anu Agrawal, MD, ACS’s Vice President of Global Cancer Support.  

ASCP’s contributions: Global experience, local insight 

ASCP brings more than two decades of global health experience to the Alliance, having worked extensively in Sub-Saharan Africa and other regions to strengthen diagnostics and care coordination through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program. Through its leadership in the Coalition for Implementation Research in Global Oncology (CIRGO), ASCP has provided grant funding to researchers from several low- and lower-middle income countries (LMICs) to research approaches to patient navigation. These have included: 

• In Côte d’Ivoire, a CIRGO-funded project connected clinicians and patient advocates to oncologists via WhatsApp to improve coordination and communication. 

• In Malawi, a mobile “friendship intervention” provided peer support for women with cervical cancer and depression. 

• In multiple countries, ASCP has supported applications of the Project ECHO model to improve early diagnosis of cancer and link local providers to specialist expertise. 

This on-the-ground knowledge gives ASCP a practical and policy-relevant lens as it works with fellow Alliance members to shape scalable and sustainable solutions.  

Looking ahead: A global call to action 

The Alliance was officially launched in February to coincide with World Cancer Day, and the Steering Committee held its first meeting in June.  

“One of our first goals is to develop a Call to Action to create awareness around patient navigation,” Dr. Agrawal says. “We are additionally planning to analyze national cancer control plans (NCCPs) as to their current inclusion of patient navigation as a baseline step.”  

Dr. Agrawal says he is very pleased with all the positive energy among the participants thus far.  

“The Alliance’s goal is to amplify diverse voices and identify best practices to make patient navigation a global standard of care,” says Mr. Landgraf. “ASCP is proud to represent the laboratory and pathology community in that effort.” 

ASCP Ambassadors have a new tool to use when they go to schools and career fairs to promote medical laboratory careers: the Laboratory Recruitment Guidebook, developed by Lauren Schiefelbein, MLS(ASCP)CM , under the auspices of the ASCP Workforce Steering Committee.  

The guidebook came about after Ms. Schiefelbein spoke about recruitment during a virtual panel presentation at the 2024 Road to Chicago in August. She was approached by ASCP staff, who asked if she would create a guidebook with directions on how to create the materials she uses for her presentations to elementary, high school, and college students about careers in the medical laboratory.  

“I make craft projects relating to the laboratory and that is what my presentation was about,” says Ms. Schiefelbein, education coordinator at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, in Omaha. “I do the recruitment for our Medical Laboratory Science program. My position is unique, and I create the materials I use in my presentations.” 

For younger audiences, for example, she paints two-inch plastic balls in different colors, so they look like cells with a nucleus. For college students, she presents a specific science experiment or gives a lecture. The majority of her presentations are for high schools.  

The guidebook is divided into four big laboratory topics: hematology, immunohematology, chemistry, and microbiology. Each section has a selection of activities that lists the materials needed to present a topic, the cost of the materials, and instructions on how to construct it. 

“It’s like a cookbook,” she says, proudly. “It is humbling that people are interested in this and none of the materials are difficult to make. I am excited to share this with others who want to promote laboratory careers to the next generation!”  

The next ASCP Pathologist Council Roundtable will be held on September 25 and will focus on the topic, Navigating Your Career. It is designed for pathologists who are relatively new in practice.  

Pathologist Council Member Aadil Ahmed, MD, FASCP, will serve as a panelist for the upcoming Roundtable. “One tip I will share with listeners is to be confident of their diagnosis,” he explains. “They cannot expect to know everything there is to learn, but it is important to be confident. They should also be aware of what they don’t know and be comfortable asking a mentor for advice.”  

Having a mentor is important not just to answer day to day questions that arise, but also to help younger pathologists as they navigate their career development, he adds. 

Dr. Ahmed also moderated the Pathologist Council Roundtable in June titled, Effective Communication and Legal Challenges in Pathology. It featured ASCP Immediate Past President Robert A. Goulart, MD, MASCP, professor of Pathology, and director of the Cytopathology Service and Cytopathology Fellowship Program at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Health and the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School; Jon H. Ritter, MD, professor of Pathology and Immunology at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri; and attorney Mary J. Street, a partner in Wicker Smith’s Miami, Florida, office whose practice largely focuses on medical malpractice litigation.   

“The June Roundtable was really designed to support pathologists who are new in practice,” Dr. Ahmed explains. “The discussion centered on how to optimize their pathology reporting and make sure their diagnosis is as precise as possible for the benefit of clinicians and patients.” 

He adds, “In some instances, the diagnosis may be not as clear, and it is 

important to proactively reach out to clinicians in discussing the impact of 

such diagnosis. Pathologists play an important role as part of the care team, and we need to take the lead and make our voices heard. A clear and timely communication also helps avoid any future malpractice scenarios.”  

Don’t miss the September 25 Pathologist Council Roundtable and learn to make your voice heard!  Watch your emails for upcoming invitations to the Roundtable.  

ASCP’s Member Roundtables, established in 2023, offer engaging discussions on hot topics that are led by panelists who are leaders in their fields. The Member Roundtables are free, but registration is required. They are a member benefit and are open to ASCP members only. 

The ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting is only four months away, Nov. 17-20 in Atlanta, GA. Renowned for its distinguished faculty, whose knowledge and expertise help prepare pathologists and clinical laboratory professionals to make a significant impact on patient care, the ASCP 2025 Annual Meeting is your chance to elevate your knowledge for better patient care.  

Here is a preview of some key presentations and their faculty.   

Laboratory-Developed Tests (LDTs)—Future Directions and Lessons Learned 

With the recent federal court ruling vacating the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) LDT Final Rule, many in the laboratory community wonder what is next. 

Presenters Jonathan R. Genzen, MD, PhD, MBA, and Michelle Campbell, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMMB^CMSC^CM, will reflect on recent events and what the laboratory community has learned from its experiences in preparing for the now-vacated FDA LDT Final Rule.  What are the lessons learned and best practices as the laboratory community prepares to move forward? How can laboratories better prepare for future regulatory oversight frameworks? 

Dr. Genzen is the chief medical officer and senior director of government affairs at ARUP Laboratories, and professor of pathology at the University of Utah, and Ms. Campbell is the senior developer for the Translational Research, Innovation and Test Development Office at Mayo Clinic, and adjunct assistant professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  

Emerging and Reemerging Pathogens: An Update  

Rodney Rohde, PhD, MS, SM(ASCP)^CMSV^CMMB^CM, will focus on current and evolving threats in infectious diseases, including pathogens, such as SARS-CoV-2, mpox, pertussis, and antimicrobial-resistant organisms. He will also highlight global trends, diagnostic innovations, and the implications of public health challenges such as vaccine hesitancy and misinformation. 

This session is intended for medical laboratory scientists, pathologists, infectious disease specialists, and public health professionals, essentially anyone working at the intersection of diagnostics and disease prevention. His goal is to equip attendees with practical knowledge and a broader understanding of how these pathogens are reshaping our workflows, biosafety protocols, and the role of the laboratory in early detection and response. 

“It’s a timely topic, and I aim to both inform and empower laboratory professionals as frontline defenders in global and community health,” says Dr. Rohde, associate director for the Translational Health Research Initiative at Texas State University, in San Marcos, TX, where he is also the College of Health Professions chair and Distinguished Regents' Professor of Clinical Laboratory Science. 

Cancer Biomarker Testing Navigation: Bridging Gaps to Achieve Optimal Patient Outcomes 

This session focuses on a novel new Biomarker Testing Navigation (BTN) role and ASCP's online certificate program for cancer biomarker navigation. The expert panel, which includes Lynnette Pineault, MBA, SCT(ASCP), manager of Laboratory Operations and Genetic Counseling Services HealthPartners – Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN, will highlight how biomarker navigation can enhance laboratory workflows to ensure patients get timely access to life-saving targeted therapies. The session is intended for individuals who currently work in this space—laboratory professionals, pathologists, leaders and support staff—who are eager to optimize cancer biomarker testing.   

“This topic is incredibly relevant today, as we navigate the rapid acceleration of precision medicine in cancer diagnosis and treatment,” Ms. Pineault says. “As the complexity of cancer biomarker testing increases, critical workflow gaps often emerge that can delay patient care. Biomarker navigation directly addresses these challenges, improving test turnaround, reducing errors, and ensuring patients receive personalized treatments quickly. It's a proactive solution to a pressing need in modern pathology.”   

The panel comprises members of the current BTN Project Advisory Committee, which Ms. Pineault chairs. “We'll unveil the rationale and innovative design of the BTN role, share compelling real-world success stories from our own experiences, and provide practical insights into how BTNs improve coordination and diagnostic stewardship.” Ms. Pineault says.    

The group will also introduce ASCP’s new virtual certificate program, Mastering Cancer Biomarker Testing Navigation.   

Why ASCP 2025 is the premier annual meeting 

The ASCP Annual Meeting stands out because of its unique integration of laboratory medicine, pathology, and public health, creating a truly interdisciplinary environment. It brings together not just scientists and clinicians, but also educators, policymakers, and innovators who are shaping the future of diagnostics and laboratory science. 

“What I find especially compelling is ASCP’s deep commitment to both cutting-edge science and professional advocacy,” Dr. Rohde says. “The meeting doesn’t just focus on technical advances—it also highlights workforce development, health equity, global health, and the critical role of medical laboratory professionals in patient care.” 

Unlike many other meetings, ASCP creates space for strategic conversations that bridge clinical practice with real-world implementation. Whether it’s antimicrobial resistance, diagnostic stewardship, or mentoring the next generation of laboratory professionals, ASCP is future-facing in a very actionable way. 

Additionally, the energy and engagement of the attendees—particularly students and early-career professionals—is exceptional. It’s a community that values both legacy and innovation. 

“Every year, I leave the meeting reenergized and proud to be part of this profession.” Dr. Rohde says. “It feels like a family reunion each and every time I’m working with ASCP and the outstanding experts and passionate laboratory professionals that compose the organization!” 

Learn more and register here.  

Supreme Court Decision on USPSTF Produces Uncertainty 

The Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act’s preventive services mandate and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) appointments, securing continued access to preventive care for patients. However, the ruling also gave the HHS Secretary the authority to remove USPSTF members and reject their recommendations, raising concerns about political interference and the Task Force’s scientific independence. ASCP and partner organizations are now evaluating the ruling’s implications for future preventive service recommendations and access. Read more. 

President Signs Massive Tax and Budget Bill 

President Trump’s One, Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB) has been signed into law, bringing sweeping changes to healthcare, student financial aid, and artificial intelligence policy. While the bill includes positive provisions like a Medicare Physician Fee Schedule increase and expanded 529 fund usage for credentialing programs, it also introduces concerning cuts to Medicaid, CHIP, and federal student loan programs, potentially impacting healthcare workforce development. ASCP and other medical societies have raised alarms about the bill’s potential to worsen healthcare access, student debt burdens, and physician shortages. Read more.  

State of Science Address Calls for Radical Reform of STEM in the U.S. 

In her State of Science address, National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt warned that the U.S. is losing ground in global scientific leadership due to declining STEM investment, outdated policies, and regulatory burdens. She and fellow panelists called for major reforms, including streamlined regulations, modernized funding, and education initiatives to restore American competitiveness. ASCP supports these efforts through advocacy, workforce outreach, and its Institute for Science, Technology and Policy, promoting evidence-based policy and advancing laboratory medicine as a pillar of U.S. scientific leadership. Read more. 

ASCP’s Leading Laboratories Recognition Program is Now Open to More Laboratories! 

ASCP’s Leading Laboratories recognition program has expanded to include all hospital-based accredited laboratories in the U.S., beyond just those accredited by The Joint Commission. The program celebrates laboratories for leadership, mentorship, innovation, and their essential role in improving patient care, while also supporting recruitment and investment through public recognition of excellence. ASCP aims to raise awareness of the laboratory community and promote diagnostic excellence by offering more labs the opportunity to showcase their achievements and commitment to quality. Read more.  

ASCP Voices Concern Over Disbanding of ACIP 

On June 9, 2025, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), raising serious concerns among health organizations, including ASCP, about the spread of misinformation and damage to public trust in vaccine science. The decision comes amid rising cases of preventable diseases and the appointment of some new committee members who lack relevant expertise or hold vaccine-skeptical views, risking a loss of scientific rigor and institutional memory. In response, ASCP joined a coalition of medical organizations in supporting an emergency AMA resolution demanding the reversal of the dismissals and a Senate investigation, underscoring its leadership in advocating for evidence-based vaccine policy. Read more.  

Launching the Future of Laboratory Science: ASCP Campaign Targets Next-Gen Talent 

ASCP and the Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce Coalition launched a national campaign to promote medical laboratory careers to students, educators, and counselors through email, social media, and educator publications. Centered around the message “Save Lives with Science,” the campaign aims to address critical lab staffing shortages by raising awareness of career pathways in laboratory medicine. Read more.  

Ring Scholarship Expands Access Through Varied Outreach 

ASCP recently closed the second year of applications for the Dr. Alvin Ring Empowerment Scholarship, which supports students from medically underserved or rural areas pursuing education in medical laboratory sciences. This year ASCP implemented targeted outreach strategies—such as engaging with science teachers, school counselors, and promoting the scholarship on public websites—which led to a 55% increase in eligible applications and 10 submissions from high school students. Read more.  

Addressing Workforce Challenges: ASCP at the 2025 CMSS Workforce Summit 

ASCP joined more than 20 medical societies at the 2025 CMSS workforce summit to address physician workforce challenges, including rural shortages, healthcare consolidation, and reliance on international medical graduates. ASCP reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the pathology workforce through data-driven advocacy and career pathway development, led by the Institute for Science, Technology, and Policy. Read more.  

Empowering New Lab Staff with Foundational Skills 

ASCP has launched a free eLearning series, “Basic Medical Laboratory Skills,” offering beginner-friendly, CMLE-accredited courses on foundational laboratory topics such as safety, terminology, math, equipment, procedures, and quality control. Designed by ASCP experts to support lab directors and new team members, the series helps ease the burden of on-the-job training and provides practical, case-based learning for those entering or refreshing their knowledge in medical laboratory work. Read more.  

On June 3, National Academy of Sciences President Marcia McNutt, PhD, delivered the second annual State of Science address, calling attention to the urgent need for reform in U.S. science and technology policy. Amid historic declines in federal STEM investment, international talent inflow and researcher support, Dr. McNutt emphasized that the U.S. is falling behind in global scientific leadership. Key challenges included excessive regulatory compliance standards, outdated funding processes, and the lack of a cohesive national research strategy. Panelists echoed the need for change, calling for pro-innovation policy, education reform and cultural shifts to restore American competitiveness and inspire the next generation of U.S. scientists.  

ASCP remains a strong advocate for evidence-based policy that supports laboratory professionals and patients. From defending quality patient care from excessive regulatory costs and burdens to championing educational workforce outreach, ASCP is leading efforts to support the pathology and laboratory medicine community and promote diagnostic excellence (click here to see ASCP’s 2025-2026 Public Policy Priorities). Through its Institute for Science, Technology and Policy (ISTP), ASCP will continue driving research-informed policy that ensures U.S. laboratory medicine remains a cornerstone of global scientific leadership. 

View the full State of the Science address here and explore ASCP's current policy and advocacy efforts here.  

ASCP is proud to launch “Basic Medical Laboratory Skills,” a new eLearning series designed to empower new lab team members with essential knowledge. With 1.0 CMLE credit offered per course and free access in the ASCP Store, this CMLE-bearing series dives into the core building blocks of medical laboratory work: Laboratory Safety, Laboratory Terminology, Laboratory Math, Basic Operations of Laboratory Equipment, Routine Procedures, and Quality Control. Each beginner-friendly course blends foundational learning with practical, case-based examples—perfect for team members new to the medical laboratory or wanting to brush up on some skills.  

This training package was intended to offset the burden of on-the-job training required of medical laboratory directors as they level-set new and uncertified members of their laboratory teams. The scope of the education was designed by the ASCP Workforce Steering Committee, and the educational materials were developed by a wide range ASCP member subject matter experts serving active medical laboratory roles.  

Help us spread the word about this high-quality and free educational training package! Share this resource with your laboratory network, trainees, and new lab team members who could benefit from an introduction to core medical laboratory skills.  

On June 11, ASCP joined more than 20 medical specialty societies at the 2025 Council for Medical Specialty Societies workforce summit to address pressing challenges facing the U.S. physician workforce issues. The summit featured in-depth discussions on the supply and distribution of physicians, rural workforce shortages, evolving practice environments and workforce modeling innovations. Key discussion points for the summit included the rising impact of healthcare consolidation on patient access and care delivery; the need for more robust, standardized workforce data; and the U.S. healthcare system’s reliance on international medical graduates to fill critical care gaps.  

ASCP is committed to advancing pathology workforce resilience through data-driven policy advocacy and research. ASCP’s Institute for Science, Technology, and Policy is currently expanding its efforts to strengthen pathology career pathways and increase pathologist visibility. ASCP’s participation in the CMSS summit reflects its dedication to supporting and advocating for the pathology and laboratory medicine workforce. Learn more about ASCP’s workforce initiative efforts here.

At the end of May, ASCP closed the application window for its second year of the Dr. Alvin Ring Empowerment Scholarship for Laboratory Professionals, established to provide financial aid to students from medically underserved and/or rural areas who are pursuing higher education in the medical laboratory sciences. This scholarship is unique in that it provides scholarship support to a wide range of applicants—from high school seniors interested in starting their education in medical laboratory science to in-service laboratory professionals looking for career advancement through higher education.   

In the first year of the scholarship’s administration, 14 scholarships were awarded to students across the U.S. in NAACLS-accredited HTL (2), MLT (4), and MLS (8) programs. Despite outreach efforts, no high school student applications were received in this initial cohort of 73 eligible applicants. As a part of process improvement strategies to recruit this new target audience, ASCP, in its second year of scholarship engagement, deployed a number of additional outreach strategies to reach high school students interested in this financial aid opportunity.   

Some of these strategies included: 1) in-person and virtual engagement with high school science teachers (e.g., ASCP staff engagement at the National Science Teaching Association Conference 2025) and school counselors (advertisements through the American School Counselors Association’s website and e-Newsletter channels); 2) promotion on free, public-facing scholarship websites (i.e., Fastweb, Scholarships.com, Peterson’s); and 3) development of bilingual (English and Spanish) flyers distributed electronically via the ASCP Online Community pages and at ASCP KnowledgeLab 2025. Using this improved outreach strategy, 116 eligible applications were received—a 55 percent increase over 2024.   

Although active MLS students (not yet in the laboratory workforce) represented the largest group of applicants (41 percent), applications from 10 eligible high school students were received, representing 9 percent of the eligible applicant pool. This is a significant improvement in recruitment strategies for this specific target audience; ASCP intends to continue to learn and adapt outreach strategies to expand this applicant cohort in future years.  

ASCP and the Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce Coalition launched a nationwide campaign to raise awareness of medical laboratory careers among students, educators and counselors. In partnership with Spyre, this multichannel campaign reached out through email, social media, and national educator publications to promote meaningful, high-demand opportunities in laboratory medicine. The effort centers on informing high school and early college students as well as teachers and school counselors about career pathways into medical and public health laboratories.  

The core message of the campaign is “Save Lives with Science,” as it is part of ASCP’s broader mission to address nationwide laboratory staffing shortages and open new doors for future professionals. View educator resources and student tools here and learn more about ASCP’s workforce advocacy and outreach here. 

On June 9, 2025, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, Robert F Kennedy Jr. terminated all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), an advisory panel that provides crucial guidance on vaccine safety, including schedules and dosing. While Secretary Kennedy stated that the move was aimed to “rebuild public trust and eliminate perceived conflicts of interest,” it has sparked significant concern among leading U.S. health organizations— including ASCP—over the spread of misinformation about evidence-based medicine and the further erosion of public confidence in vaccine science. 

The move by the HHS Secretary is particularly concerning in light of rising cases of preventable diseases in the U.S., such as measles, mumps, rubella, and pertussis (whooping cough). Additionally, by replacing the entire committee with new members, some of whom have expressed vaccine skepticism or lack relevant expertise, there is potential for significant loss of crucial institutional memory and the committee's ability to maintain scientific rigor. 

In response to the Secretary’s actions, the American Medical Association (AMA) passed an emergency resolution during the 2025 AMA House of Delegates meeting, of which ASCP delegates were a part. The emergency resolution called for the “immediate reversal” of the changes to ACIP and urged the Senate Health, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee to investigate the removals. ASCP Delegates supported the resolution as part of the Pathology Section Council (PSC), which is comprised of delegates from the American Society of Cytopathology, ASCP, the College of American Pathologists, and the National Association of Medical Examiners. The emergency resolution yielded a joint letter, signed on June 18, to the HHS Secretary expressing these strong concerns, calling for transparency and accountability in the vaccine oversight process. Numerous organizations have issued similar responses.  

ASCP’s AMA delegation actively engages in pertinent policy discussions with partner organizations and exemplifies leadership in representing the field to colleagues at the AMA. The members of ASCP’s AMA delegation include Ed Donoghue, MD, MASCP; Jennifer Stall, MD, FASCP; ASCP Past Presidents Steve Kroft, MD, MASCP, and William Finn, MD, MASCP; as well as H. Clifford Sullivan, MD, FASCP; Nirali M. Patel, MD, FASCP; and Peter DeRosa, MD, FASCP. Additionally, Ebruphiyo Okpako, MD, and Katerina Kearns, MD, represent ASCP on the Resident and Fellow Section. AMA will host the Interim Annual Meeting in November, and ASCP will report on any issues that arise.