Celiac disease is often underdiagnosed because patients exhibit minimal symptoms or are misdiagnosed because of confusion with other conditions.  

A chronic digestive and immune disorder that damages the small intestine, it is also one of the few autoimmune conditions that can be detected with a single laboratory test that is more than 95 percent sensitive and specific, according to Jane Dickerson, PhD, clinical associate professor in the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of Washington as well as Division Head of Laboratory Medicine, director of the Core Lab Reference Laboratory Services, and medical director of the North Clinic Laboratory at Seattle Children’s Hospital. She is also co-founder of the Patient-Centered Laboratory Utilization Guidance Services (PLUGS). 

Celiac disease affects the abdomen and may cause a feeling of bloating or nausea, and unexplained weight loss. It is caused by a diet that includes gluten, which is found in bread or pasta. Currently, there are many antibody tests available to diagnose the disease.    

ASCP is collaborating with experts from the PLUGS network to develop an education module that highlights when and which laboratory tests are best used in the diagnosis and management of celiac disease. The education offers a case-based activity designed to help medical laboratory professionals, laboratory directors, and pathologists to improve their knowledge, skills, and competence in recognizing which diagnostic tests are most appropriate to use in the diagnosis of celiac disease and to focus on evidence-based guidelines.   

“The testing algorithm for the diagnosis of celiac disease is very complex, and there are many providers who don’t know the appropriate testing strategy,” explains Sachin Gupta, PhD, MBA, MT(ASCPi)MB, Lean SSBB, scientific director of ASCP’s Center for Quality and Patient Safety.  

Dr. Dickerson specializes in celiac disease and has published several research articles on the topic. Along with colleagues Maria Christina Pacheco, MD, and Rebecca Wilson, PhD, she is a primary author of the education developed in collaboration with ASCP. Dr. Gupta and Elise Occhipinti, MD, FASCP, reviewed and contributed to the education. Dr. Occhipinti, chair of ASCP’s Quality and Patient Safety Steering Committee and an advising member in PLUGS, was the catalyst for the collaboration.   

The goal of the new education is to educate laboratory professionals and pathologists on testing algorithms to select the right test. “We explain if a patient comes with certain symptoms, what testing should be ordered by provider,” Dr. Gupta says.   

In the education module, participants are asked a series of questions, each followed by a choice of responses. The user would select a specific answer and then receive an explanation of why their answer is correct or incorrect. If it is incorrect, the program asks the user to revisit information on that particular topic in order to enhance their knowledge.  

This is the first education product with PLUGS.  

“We are very excited about our collaboration with ASCP,” Dr. Dickerson says. “The collaboration represents a strategic alignment between two organizations deeply committed to improving the quality and value of laboratory medicine. PLUGS brings expertise in laboratory stewardship, utilization management, and navigating the complexities of insurance reimbursement, with a strong emphasis on reducing inappropriate testing and financial toxicity for patients. ASCP, as a leading professional organization for pathologists and laboratory professionals, contributes its vast network, influence in clinical practice guidelines, and commitment to advancing diagnostic excellence and professional development. Together, they create a powerful platform for systemic improvement in laboratory test ordering, interpretation, and coverage.”  

PLUGS is based at Seattle Children’s Hospital and is a consortium whose members are able to access its test utilization consultation services.   

“Many laboratories lack this kind of education,” says Dr. Gupta. “I hope laboratories and pathologists will leverage this education and implement the evidence-based testing algorithm at their labs.” 

Several attendees showed interest in pursuing formal training in phlebotomy and MLT programs, and all participants certainly gained a greater appreciation for laboratory diagnostics and the professionals who make it possible. 

“I believe visibility begins with storytelling,” Ms. Slate says. “Laboratory professionals are not just running tests—we’re driving decisions that save lives. ASCP’s Day of Service gave us the platform to invite others into this meaningful field.” 

Successful completion of the program offers one continuing education credit per module for laboratory professionals.  

ASCP began studying the feasibility of a BTN role on laboratory operations and workflows in 2023. The three-phase project, supported by a sponsorship from AstraZeneca, has included a quantitative needs assessment, qualitative focus group discussions, and a short-term feasibility pilot conducted at two cancer centers. The needs assessment findings, outlined in a June 2025 article in AJCP, ASCP explores the cancer biomarker testing navigator as a novel role to improve laboratory operations and workflows: A special report from the ASCP Biomarker Testing Navigator Project Team, found that without a dedicated staff member to oversee biomarker testing, the processes were often fragmented and inefficient.  

Lynnette Pineault, MBA, SCT(ASCP), chair of the project, commented, "Our pilot study highlighted substantial gaps and bottlenecks in the consistent application of recommended biomarker testing guidelines for all cancer patients. Our team designed this program to bridge these gaps, streamline testing pathways, and enhance collaboration between the laboratory and the broader multidisciplinary care team. Our goal is to ensure every patient receives the accurate, timely biomarker testing they deserve, paving the way for more personalized treatment strategies and improved clinical outcomes. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to advancing precision oncology and reshaping the future of patient care." 

The pilot studies show that the role of BTNs could include coordination of multigene next generation sequencing panels and expediting critical steps to ensure optimal preanalytical processes, reducing delays in testing, and ensuring smooth operations, according to the article. 

In July, ASCP will release additional tools and establish an online community to support participants in the certificate program.  

“The ultimate goal of this program is to ensure that more patients will be tested with the right cancer biomarker tests and achieve better outcomes,” Dr. Kim says.  

To learn more about the BTN certificate program, click here.  

ASCP is thrilled to announce that two of the most groundbreaking scientific figures of our time, Dr. Francis Collins and Dr. Craig Venter, will serve as keynote speakers at ASCP’s Annual Meeting in Atlanta, November 17-20. 

These visionary scientists have not only redefined scientific discovery, they have also fundamentally transformed the way we understand, diagnose, and treat disease, ushering in a new era of patient-centered care. 

Special General Session Scientific Keynote Speaker  

Best known for his leadership in the Human Genome Project, Dr. Collins guided one of the most ambitious scientific efforts in history to successful completion—decoding the human genetic blueprint and making it available to researchers worldwide.  

During his 12-year tenure as director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Collins oversaw the country’s biomedical response to public health crises, championed precision medicine, and led transformative initiatives in cancer, neuroscience, rare diseases, and COVID-19. 

Dr. Collins’ legacy extends beyond science. He has become a trusted voice exploring the harmony between science and spirituality. His pioneering research and his passion for public service and ethical dialogue continue to shape the future of healthcare, and of science itself. 

Don’t miss these keynote events that will energize and inspire your role in the future of patient care. 

Opening General Session Scientific Keynote Speaker  

From decoding the first free-living organism’s genome to co-leading the race to sequence the human genome, Dr. Venter’s innovative approaches have revolutionized the pace and scale of genomic science. Dr. Venter has pushed the boundaries in biology, from synthetic life forms to predictive healthcare powered by deep genomic data.  

His vision of harnessing the power of genomics to improve health and sustainability continues to inspire the next wave of scientific and clinical innovation. 

Premier educational offerings 

ASCP is recognized worldwide as the provider of premier educational offerings for pathologists and laboratory professionals to learn, share, and grow throughout the entirety of their careers. More than 1,200 education sessions developed by renowned experts will deliver the variety, convenience, and quality you need to earn credits and enhance your skills in your area of practice. 

Network with your peers 

ASCP 2025 packs a lot of learning into just a few days, yet there will be ample opportunities to relax and enjoy the company of your peers. Take this chance to meet other professionals from across the nation–and from around the world–to share ideas, collaborate, and validate or change your perspectives. 

Register before August 11 and save 50 percent on registration! Learn more and register at www.ascp.org/2025 .  

“We displayed signage outside the main laboratory and at each of our phlebotomy draw stations, featured it in newsletters, and highlighted it during conference presentations, laboratory inspections, tours, and advisory board meetings,” says Mr. Abumuhor.  

The designation also made a real difference in recruitment, especially for hard-to-fill roles like medical laboratory scientists. It gave the laboratory a competitive edge in attracting top talent and strengthened the laboratory’s case for operational and capital investments from the C-suite.  

Likewise, when laboratory leaders at Dignity Health-Glendale Memoria Health and Hospital, in Glendale, CA, embarked on the application process to gain Leading Laboratories status, they found it provided a valuable exercise in team reflection and continuous improvement, according to Ramy Moawad, MBA, CLS, director of laboratory services. 

“The process required a comprehensive self-assessment across various domains—from quality and safety to leadership and collaboration,” he says. “It prompted us to look critically at our operations and brought to light areas where we were excelling, as well as a few that needed strengthening.” 

“The Leading Laboratories designation underscored our laboratory’s role as a cornerstone of patient safety and care quality,” Mr. Moawad adds. “It has helped foster deeper collaboration with nursing, providers, and executive leadership. By aligning our work with the values recognized in the designation, we've been able to champion patient-centered initiatives, reduce diagnostic errors, and improve turnaround times—all of which directly impact the patient experience and outcomes.” 

What has been especially encouraging is that many of his peers have reached out, expressing interest in the process and enthusiasm about pursuing the designation for their own health systems.  

“The Leading Laboratories designation has set a powerful example,” Mr. Moawad adds. “We now hold ourselves to the highest standards of patient care and safety, not just for recognition, but as part of our ongoing mission.” 

He encourages other laboratories to embark on seeking Leading Laboratories status. “It is more than just a badge of honor; it serves as a strategic opportunity to reflect on your laboratory’s performance, culture, and alignment with patient care goals. The process itself drives improvement and team engagement. It helps laboratories create a roadmap to excellence and reinforces a laboratory’s value within the larger health system.” 

Learn more about Leading Laboratories at www.leadinglaboratories.org. 

The LDT Final Rule is Officially Dead: FDA Has No Jurisdiction 

On May 30, the FDA chose not to appeal a court decision that vacated its attempt to regulate laboratory developed tests (LDTs), marking a major win for patient care and ending a decades-long dispute over regulatory authority. The court affirmed that oversight of LDTs belongs to CMS under the CLIA framework, not the FDA, aligning with the position of ASCP. ASCP now plans to support CMS in its regulatory role and continue opposing legislation like the VALID Act, which could impose burdensome requirements on clinical laboratories. Read more.  

Federal Workforce Programs, Medicare Payment Impacted by Congressional Reconciliation Bill 

Congressional Republicans passed a budget reconciliation bill which extends $4.5 trillion in tax cuts while cutting $1.7 trillion in federal spending, and a potential $500 billion in Medicare cuts. While the bill includes a modest inflationary update to Medicare’s physician fee schedule and provisions from the Tomorrow’s Workforce Act to support lab training programs, it also makes significant cuts to student loan and workforce development programs. ASCP is actively lobbying against Medicare and education funding reductions and urging the Senate to mitigate their impact on healthcare professionals. Read more.  

ASCP Urges Trump Administration to Reinstate CLIAC 

ASCP is urging the Trump Administration to reinstate the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee (CLIAC), which was terminated following Executive Order 14217 aimed at reducing federal bureaucracy. CLIAC, a key advisory body on laboratory testing and patient care, officially shut down on March 31. ASCP and allied organizations are calling for the restoration of CLIAC and its website, emphasizing the critical value of its guidance and resources. Read more. 

ASCP Opposes Legislation to Allow Gene Patents 

ASCP, alongside more than 20 medical and patient advocacy groups, is opposing the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act, which would allow companies to patent human genes and other natural phenomena. ASCP argues that such patents could hinder clinical care, research, and patient access to vital genetic information. ASCP was a key plaintiff in the 2013 landmark case where the Supreme Court ruled that genes like BRCA1 and BRCA2 are not patentable, and which upheld that naturally occurring genes are not eligible for patents under the Patent Act. Read more.  

Patients and Pathology Win Latest Battle 

May 30th marked an important date in FDA’s effort to claim oversight of laboratory developed tests (LDTs). This was the deadline for FDA to appeal U.S. District Court Judge Sean D. Jordan’s decision to vacate the agency’s Final Rule seeking to regulate LDTs (see the infographic below outlining some of the key dates related to LDT oversight). And by the end of that day, we learned that the federal government declined to appeal the judge’s decision. This victory for patient care marks the latest milestone in a 40-year saga regarding government responsibility to regulate LDTs. 

FDA began asserting jurisdiction over LDTs in the early 1990s and started seriously considering taking regulatory action in the early 2000s. ASCP recognized that these were significant developments and began implementing patient-centric policy and advocacy initiatives to ensure that high-quality patient care considerations were at the forefront of the debate. These efforts have been a defining element of our advocacy agenda for well over a decade, and they were the reasons that ASCP, guided by the expertise of noted attorney Jane Pine Wood, joined with four other patient-focused medical specialty societies to file an amicus curiae brief in the lawsuit opposing FDA’s oversight scheme. 

ASCP is extremely pleased that Judge Jordon’s ruling means that FDA lacks the statutory authority to regulate LDTs. ASCP President Gregory Sossaman, MD, MASCP, said after Jordon announced his decision, “This is an important victory for quality patient care.” Under FDA’s oversight plan, most laboratories would have faced significant barriers to providing these critical services, ultimately restricting patient access to vital testing and care.  

Not surprisingly, the court victory raises a question about LDT oversight moving forward. ASCP and the vast majority of organizations representing the laboratory community believe that LDTs should be regulated by CMS under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments of 1988 (CLIA) framework. The district court addressed this question, stating that “Congress considered the unique regulatory issues raised by clinical laboratories and the tests they develop and perform. It addressed those issues through the comprehensive but distinct statutory regime of CLIA, not through the FDCA [Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act].” Meaning that the authority to regulate LDTs belongs to CMS, not FDA. 

When CMS adopted new regulations for CLIA in early 2003, it set in place new performance requirements a laboratory must satisfy when it “introduces a test system not subject to FDA clearance or approval (including “methods developed in-house…[emphasis added]).” These requirements are still in place, and they serve as the foundation for CLIA’s analytical validity requirement, among others, and can  encompass any other “performance characteristic required for test performance.” 

With the court’s ruling about who has authority over LDTs settled, ASCP will be working with its advocacy partners to lend expertise to CMS in its oversight of LDTs. We will also continue our efforts to prevent any legislation similar to the VALID Act from stymieing clinical laboratories to meet the needs of their patients. 

ASCP is lobbying the Trump Administration to reverse its decision to shutter the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Advisory Committee (CLIAC). ASCP is joining the Association for Public Health Laboratories and other concerned pathology and laboratory medicine organizations in urging U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to reverse the decision to close CLIAC. 

The decision to terminate CLIAC came in response to President Trump’s Executive Order 14217, “Commencing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” which was released in late February. The executive order ordered the termination of “unnecessary” federal advisory committees that are not mandated by statute.  

ASCP had heard in late March that CLIAC may have been terminated but was unable to confirm the news. CDC only recently confirmed that CLIAC was terminated on March 31. CLIAC has been the principle federal entity advising the federal government on public policy, safety, and workforce issues related to anatomic pathology and clinical laboratory testing. Its relevance to quality patient care and laboratory testing cannot be overstated. 

Current and past members of CLIAC were unaware that the advisory committee had been shut down, though some were aware of rumors that it had been eliminated. In fact, some were under the impression that while the April Meeting of CLIAC had been canceled by the Trump Administration, a November meeting was expected. 

In addition, the CLIAC website is no longer functional, and records of past meetings, minutes, and presentations as well as CLIAC’s past recommendations and reports are no longer available. ASCP believes these valuable resources should be restored. 

KnowledgeLab 2025, held in April month in Scottsdale, AZ, provided laboratory leaders an innovative way to learn about resources available to them through ASCP’s Negotiation and Advocacy Toolbox. 

The Amazing Lab Race Challenge, modeled after the popular reality TV program, The Amazing Race, tasked participating teams at KnowledgeLab with solving challenges often encountered in the medical laboratory. The goal of the activity was to get participants to use ASCP’s Negotiation and Advocacy Toolbox as their resource.  

Marisa James, MA, MLS(ASCP)^CM, CEO of the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), was a member of the winning team of The Amazing Lab Race. She said participating in the activity gave her a deeper understanding of the resources available through the Toolbox and insights on how laboratory leaders can tap into them to support their own workplaces. 

The team she served on included Sarah Buckmiller, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, who is one of her former MLS students (who later became her boss at a previous job) and a few other KnowledgeLab attendees who were assigned to that team. The competing teams were each given challenges to solve that directly related to one of the “pillars” included in the Toolbox. The five pillars address: 1) Promoting Laboratory Visibility, 2) People and Culture, 3) Quality, 4) Laboratory Finance, and 5) Service and Growth. 

Each participating team had to present their responses to the Challenge judge as well as the other teams. A recap of the event was then reported to the participating audience. The education session’s audience was also engaged in challenges on the same topics. This combined approach expanded the opportunity for participation, the dynamic nature of the session, and discussion about the Toolbox and its potential application. In the end, after winning the challenge, Ms. James’ team was invited to offer new resources to the Toolbox which they deemed necessary for laboratory leaders. 

One of their recommendations is to invite new nursing graduates to visit the laboratory so that they have a better understanding of why laboratory staff makes certain requests. Another recommendation is to build relationships with emergency room physicians. “These are some of our most important stakeholders, and it is critical to have a strong relationship with these groups,” Ms. James says. 

Debby Basu, PhD, ASCP Senior Manager of Global Health and Workforce Development Grant Programs, is thrilled with the reception that The Amazing Lab Race garnered at KnowledgeLab. "The Amazing Lab Race has been an engaging way to boost awareness of ASCP’s Negotiation and Advocacy Toolbox,” she says. 

The Toolbox was launched in 2023 by ASCP, through its cooperative agreement with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in service of the CDC OneLab Initiative. Dr. Basu, who also serves as program director of the cooperative agreement award, relayed that the Toolbox is a free resource with more than 100 templates, tools, and job aids for laboratory leaders advocating to hospital administration and the C-Suite. 

The concept for The Amazing Lab Race was developed by ASCP volunteers Christina P. Nickel, MHA, MLS(ASCP)^CM, CPHQ, and Aaron Odegard, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CMSM^CM, as a practical application for the Toolbox. It has been presented at KnowledgeLab 2024, the Central New York chapter conference earlier this year, and the 2024 ASCP Annual Meeting.  

“The Amazing Lab Race is a dynamic and engaging way to bring the ASCP Negotiation and Advocacy Toolbox to life,” Ms. Nickel says. “By turning learning it into a fun, team-based challenge, participants not only absorbed key concepts but also contributed valuable ideas to improve the Toolbox. It sparked collaboration, creativity, and real-world application—exactly what we hoped to achieve.” 

Ms. James noted that the Toolbox contains a section within the Service & Growth pillar that helps laboratory leaders make a case for beginning an MLS program. “In this workforce shortage, it is important for a laboratory to be aligned with an MLS program,” she explains. “If you are in a hospital or reference laboratory that is not aligned with a training program, you will have a difficult time filling vacancies on your staff.”  

She added that the Toolbox’s pillar on building laboratory visibility is absolutely critical to the constituency that her organization serves. “I do think there are some resources for program directors that would be very helpful,” she says.  

Ms. James’ comments reflect the takeaways that Dr. Basu had hoped participants of The Amazing Lab Race would have. 

“Beyond raising visibility about this fantastic resource, the Amazing Lab Race has fostered peer-to-peer brainstorming, driving strategic solutions to challenges commonly faced by clinical lab leaders,” Dr. Basu says, adding, “Winners have even contributed to new Toolbox resources based on their final pitches, helping expand and evolve this valuable collection." 

Access the ASCP Negotiation and Advocacy Toolbox here. 
 
This resource was made possible by Cooperative Agreement Number NU47OE000107 from the CDC. Its contents are solely the responsibility of ASCP and do not necessarily represent the official views of CDC. 

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, PBT(ASCP)^CMMLT^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.  

Laboratory professionals never fail to come up with clever contest entries for ASCP’s annual Lab Week Photo and Video Contest. The winners of this year’s contest, themed the “Mystery Machine of Diagnostics” with a nod toward the cartoon character Scooby Doo, are LabCorp for its video and Magers Health and Wellness Center at Missouri State University for its photo submission. 

“We were inspired by the many ways our laboratory teams have a positive impact on patient care,” says Theresa Chavez, Senior Manager of Business and Product Communication at LabCorp. “From solving medical mysteries for patients to our teams uplifting each other on the most challenging days, we wanted our video to capture sentiments from laboratory leadership across LabCorp about why they are grateful for our incredible talent.” <

LabCorp’s executive leaders were so enthusiastic about supporting their staff during Lab Week that they attended and participated in LabCorp’s Lab Week activities.    

“The contest focused on how teams solve medical mysteries and on providing quality patient care, which aligns well with LabCorp’s mission,” Ms. Chavez says. “Our teams are passionate, dedicated, and hardworking, always putting our customers at the center of everything we do.” 

LabCorp’s Lab Week celebration included an inspirational message to all staff from the CEO, daily intranet articles, interactive Wordle games, and social media posts.   

“All of these activities helped keep Lab Week front and center, creating a buzz and drawing attention to the vital role our laboratories play in patient care,” Ms. Chavez says. 

Meanwhile, the ASCP Lab Week contest generated a lot of buzz at Magers Health and Wellness Center on the Missouri State University Campus.  

“Jinkies, we came in first place!” jokes Lori Haener, MLS(ASCP), imitating a catch phrase used Scooby Doo cartoon character Velma. Ms. Haener, who coordinated the wellness center’s photo entry, adds, “Our laboratory gets so excited for Lab Week and this year’s theme was easy for us. Who hasn’t heard of Scooby Doo?”  

She credits the university staff and entire campus community for helping get out the votes in the ASCP Lab Week contest. “We promoted voting on blogs, we encouraged the fraternities and sororities to get their members to vote, and many students, faculty and staff all helped get the votes out. It was fun! This is actually the second time we won first place in the ASCP contest.” 

The wellness center’s photo shows the University’s medical center in the background, with a “diagnostic mystery machine” bearing the wellness center’s name. Standing nearby, from left, are Teri Rose, PBT(ASCP), posing as the character “Daphne,” Charna Knepper, MLS(ASCP), as “Velma,” then Ms. Haener as the character “Shaggy,” followed by Joy Grace Aberle, MLS(ASCP), and the wellness center’s laboratory director Robert Scott, MD.  

“I have been a medical laboratory scientist for 30 years and have worked in the University’s wellness center for 10 years,” Ms. Haener says. “I am thrilled that ASCP celebrates Lab Week to help bring visibility to all the work we do on behalf of patients!”  

With significant budget cuts being proposed to many of the federal programs essential to healthcare workforce development, immigration options are often looked to as a potential staffing solution. But given the current climate related to immigration policy it is unclear how well things will fare in this area.  

While the Trump Administration has prioritized addressing illegal immigration, it has generally spoken favorably about the need for skilled workers to come to the United States. That said, the administration’s messaging has not been consistent with regard to legal immigration. For example, Immigration and Customs Enforcement recently cancelled scores of visas for foreign students on F-1 and J-1 visas nonimmigrant visas. According to the Associated Press, “more than 1,200 students at 160 colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked or their legal status terminated since late March.”  These visa cancellations have raised concern among employers that rely on a pipeline of foreign students (many of whom become employed in information technology, engineering, and healthcare) for skilled labor needs. In a more recent development, however, the Administration has reported reversed course on these visa cancelations.  

As a large portion of U.S. pathology residents are not U.S. citizens, ASCP has reached out to the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates, which evaluates all international medical graduates and deems them eligible for U.S. residency programs, to determine if any international medical graduates or physicians with H-1B non-immigrant status have been impacted. So far, their understanding is that none have had their visas cancelled. 

That said, there are some bright spots to report.  

First, several bills have been introduced in Congress to address the Conrad 30 program, which provides a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement to which international medical graduates are subject. The program allows states to provide approximately 30 waivers per year of the two-year home residency requirement, provided they practice medicine in a rural or underserved area. ASCP is a supporter of this program. 

Representative Michale Lawler (R-NY) introduced the Doctors in our Borders Act, HR1201, on February 11. In addition, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Representative David G. Valadao (R-CA) introduced on February 25 the Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act, S 709/HR 1585, in their respective chambers of Congress. All three of these bills would reauthorize and expand the number of waivers the Conrad 30 program can provide. 

In the past, it has been challenging for pathologists to secure waivers from the Conrad 30 program, because of the limited number of waivers available and the preference provided to primary care providers. But recently, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, one of several federal agencies offering waivers, expanded its program so that there is no longer a numerical cap on the number of waivers it will provide. According to one immigration expert ASCP consulted, this should lessen demand on state Conrad 30 requests enabling more specialists, like pathologists, to secure J-1 waivers so they can work in the U.S. states. As a result, ASCP is hopeful that the Conrad 30 program, especially if expanded as proposed under the recently introduced legislation, will be increasingly relevant to addressing the shortages of pathologists. 

The bipartisan legislation extends the program for three years and would increase current state allocations from 30 to 35 physicians per year. It would also provide flexibility to expand the number of waivers in states where demand exceeds that limit.  

More than three dozen healthcare associations and organizations penned a letter calling on House and Senate leaders for action on a bill bolstering foreign-born physician recruitment to underserved regions. 

The letters—which include the American Medical Association, the American Hospital Association and the Association of American Medical Colleges as signatories—speak to the Conrad 30 Waiver Program and its role in alleviating the nation’s worsening clinical workforce shortage. 

It allows foreign students who come to the U.S. for medical training to immediately begin practicing in the U.S. by forgoing visa requirements that would force them to return to their home country for at least two years. In exchange, program participants are required to work full-time for at least three years in a medically underserved community. 

ASCP's Laboratory Stewardship Champions (formerly Choosing Wisely Champions) program aims to highlight successful initiatives in pathology and laboratory medicine led by pathologists, laboratory professionals, clinicians, and clinical teams. These initiatives demonstrate a commitment to the ASCP’s Best Practice Recommendations for Effective Test Utilization. 

The Laboratory Stewardship Champions program recognizes dedication to inspiring others and implementing best practices for effective test utilization that showcase the importance of being patient-centric and drive change and innovation in healthcare. 

To nominate an organization, team, or individual (including yourself) as an ASCP 2025 Laboratory Stewardship Champion, the following selection criteria should be considered: 

• Promoting the application of Effective Test Utilization principles in practice   

• Supporting the development of ASCP Effective Test Utilization recommendations 

• Educating ASCP members on Effective Test Utilization concepts and related recommendations   

• Assessing and validating the effectiveness of recommendations   

• Leading local initiatives focused on Effective Test Utilization   

• Serving as a spokesperson for the Society on related campaigns   

Nominations should include a concise description (300 words maximum) of how Effective Test Utilization recommendations in pathology and laboratory medicine have been applied, with specific evidence (e.g., performance improvement data) illustrating their impact. Submissions must include relevant supporting data, metrics, articles, outcomes, etc. to be considered. To learn more, visit the Laboratory Stewardship Champions webpage. 

The deadline for nominations is May 16, 2025. To submit a nomination or for questions about nominations or the Laboratory Stewardship Champions program, please email this nomination form to Liz Jackson, MPH, Senior Director, Quality Initiatives & Health Policy, ASCP Institute for Science, Technology, and Policy, at liz.jackson@ascp.org. 

Ali Brown, MD, FASCP, Chief Medical Officer for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), joined hosts Montel Williams and Olga Villaverde of The Balancing Act to spotlight critical members of the patient care team: pathologists and laboratory professionals. 

The 12-minute segment debuted on April 28, on the Lifetime Network. During the discussion, Dr. Brown emphasized the critical role that pathologists play in diagnosing and managing patient health. She also addressed the growing shortage in the laboratory workforce and the urgent need to attract new talent to the field. 

The segment also touched on key themes including advocacy for the profession, the importance of high-quality care, and efforts to raise public awareness of the laboratory’s contribution to healthcare. Dr. Brown called for continued support and recognition of pathologists and laboratory professionals, especially in light of their behind-the-scenes impact on every stage of patient care. 

“The lab is the heart of healthcare,” Dr. Brown said. “It’s time more people knew that.” View the full segment here. 

ASCP is excited to announce its new searchable online catalog of Effective Test Utilization (ETU) (formerly Choosing Wisely) recommendations. This new catalog will streamline functionality and usability for laboratory professionals and others looking for a quick way to find actionable utilization recommendations. Offering a more user-friendly experience, this catalog will save time, eliminating manual searches of our ETU recommendations.  

In addition to the improved functionality, we’ve updated the terminology on the website to reflect the transition from Choosing Wisely to ASCP’s ETU Recommendation and Laboratory Stewardship Champion programs. ASCP has been actively engaged in creating these recommendations since the Choosing Wisely program’s inception in 2012, and we are proud to continue the tradition of promoting laboratory stewardship under the new banner. Our Quality and Patient Safety Steering Committee is actively reviewing this year’s evidence-based ETU recommendation submissions, and we look forward to announcing our next round of recommendations this summer.  

Please stay tuned for more updates on ASCP’s efforts to provide the right test to the right patient at the right time.  

On May 2, President Donald Trump sent a partial budget request to Congress. The request proposes a massive cut in non-defense discretionary spending of 23 percent while boosting defense spending 13 percent. Overall, it cuts federal spending $163 billion in FY 2026, with the biggest cuts impacting healthcare, education, foreign aid, and environmental programs.  

While Congress generally doesn’t follow presidential budget requests exactly, they do lay out the Administration’s key priorities, and Congress has already begun working toward meeting these requests. For example, Congress approved a budget blueprint in early April requiring $1.7 trillion in savings over the next 10 years, in line with the President’s request.  

The Administration’s partial budget proposal is largely consistent with a leaked Office of Management and Budget’s passback document outlining the Trump Administration’s initial budget plans for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The passback would impose huge cuts in spending for healthcare agencies and programs, including workforce development programs on which the healthcare industry depends.  

Overall, funding at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) would be cut 34 percent, with HHS getting $80 billion in 2026, rather than that $121 billion it was allocated for 2025. In addition, funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) would be cut from $9.2 billion to nearly $5.2 billion, a 44 percent cut. The National Institutes of Health would be slashed 40 percent, with funding decreasing from $47 billion to $27 billion. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services would see its discretionary budget cut by $674M to $4.1 billion, or 14 percent. The President’s request here does not impact mandatory spending programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid benefits, though eligibility to these programs could be impacted in the coming months. 

The proposal eliminates funding for several HHS agencies, including the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Administration for Community Living, and others.  

The proposed elimination of HRSA is obviously a concern for ASCP, as the agency is responsible for many of the federal government healthcare workforce development programs. Among the HRSA programs that would be eliminated under the Trump proposed budget are the following: Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students, Faculty Loan Repayment, Public Health Workforce Development, Medical School Education, Area Health Education Centers. With the exception of the Scholarships for Disadvantaged Students and Faculty Loan Repayment Program, laboratory professionals were generally not able to access federal workforce dollars from HRSA. 

It is not clear from the document what impact it may have on the laboratory training and support programs currently administered by CDC. ASCP will be monitoring the reconciliation process closely over the coming months to learn more about how the cuts at CDC and other healthcare agencies will impact the laboratory field. 

In Congress, Republicans on the House Education Committee recently proposed a number of significant cuts to key education programs and the cuts to federal student loan programs could have serious implications for STEM/healthcare fields. For example, the House Education and Workforce Committee approved legislation that would eliminate subsidized loans to undergraduates, eliminate the graduate student loan program, cap loans for existing borrowers, set strict limits on Parent PLUS loans, tighten eligibility for Pell Grants, and require colleges and universities to reimburse the federal government for a portion of any student loan debt that their students fail to repay.   

The Committee also modified eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program, eliminating time spent in medical or dental residency programs. In addition, Income Contingent Loan Repayment Programs (ICRP) would be replaced with the Administration’s proposed “Repayment Assistance Plan.”  This proposal would also change the terms after which any outstanding debt could be forgiven. Previously, individuals meeting their payment obligations under income contingent loan repayment programs would have outstanding loans dismissed after 20 to 25 years, depending on the program. Under the Trump plan, it would take 30 years before loans could be forgiven.  

Many of these programs are critical to financing careers in medicine and healthcare. One study found that ICRPs are the most common repayment programs used by physicians, with 77 percent participating in such programs, and that approximately 88 percent of recent medical school graduates intend to apply to the PSLF program. Similarly, these programs are also important to medical laboratory professionals. ASCP will soon publish the findings of a recent survey conducted to determine how frequently these options are used to help medical laboratory professionals manage their student loan debt.  ASCP plans to use the survey findings to lobby Congress to continue its support of ICRP and PSLF programs.

Both the healthcare field, which is dependent on large numbers of individuals with baccalaureate and graduate degrees, as well as the student financial aid community have expressed concern about the impact these proposals could have on college attendance and workforce development. That said, the House Education Committee’s proposal is in its early stages and will likely undergo changes before legislation could be made available for the president to sign into law. ASCP will be monitoring this situation closely and will be working with its advocacy partners to protect workforce development programs that serve the laboratory workforce.