Dignity Health-Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center Achieves Leading Laboratories Designation

Dignity Health-Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center, in Glendale, CA, has been awarded the Leading Laboratories designation from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and The Joint Commission. The two-year designation acknowledges Glendale Memorial’s commitment to laboratory excellence and improving patient outcomes. 

“We are deeply honored to receive the Leading Laboratories designation in partnership with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP),” says Betsy Hart, MSN, President and CEO of Dignity Health-Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center. “This prestigious recognition reflects the excellence in quality outcomes, professional development, leadership, and visibility that our team consistently strives for.  

“To be the first in the CommonSpirit Health system, second in California, and among only a select few nationwide to achieve this incredible distinction is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment of our staff,” she adds. “I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to our entire team, and especially to Ramy Moawad, Director of Laboratory Services, for making this achievement possible!” 

Mr. Moawad embarked on the Leading Laboratory application process when he first joined the hospital just over two years ago. “Our goal has always centered around the patient, their needs, and our ability to make them as comfortable as possible and to provide quality care,” he says.   

The application process required a review of the hospital laboratory’s outcomes, indicators, metrics and evidence. Additionally, the laboratory had to demonstrate excellence in four key areas: supporting professional development, cultivating trusted leadership and promoting laboratory visibility. 

Mr. Moawad proudly points out some of Dignity Health-Glendale Memorial laboratory’s strengths that contributed to its successful application: 

• An emphasis on professional development, including offering up to $5,200 in tuition reimbursement per year for each staff member after they have worked there for six months 

• An effective test utilization program which has been in place for many years to ensure that unnecessary testing is minimal and that appropriate tests are used for each patient 

• A finance stewardship program which promotes reinvesting money in the hospital’s healthcare system and developing laboratory tests 

•  An outreach program within the community to boost awareness of careers within the medical laboratory and provide both a free medical laboratory technician internship program and a phlebotomy training program to residents of the surrounding community 

• A culturally diverse staff, which reflects the community’s richly diverse population. 

Glendale, situated five miles from West Hollywood, has a population of 400,000. The majority of its residents are of Armenian heritage, followed by a sizable Hispanic population, and a growing Asian population.  
 
Mr. Moawad explains. “A big factor in our hospital deciding to offer phlebotomy and medical laboratory technician (MLT) internships is to provide career opportunities” to meet the needs of our diverse patients. 
 
The internship programs have been remarkably successful. Early on, the local ABC television affiliate sent a news team to report on the programs, which generated a lot of buzz within the community. Since then, the programs have seen a steady increase in applicants.   
 
“We are getting a lot of interest from students who are first-time college graduates in their families,” Mr. Moawad says. “We are sending the message that we support our community, and we want to keep our community healthy.”   
 
Dignity Health-Glendale Memorial has also reached out to local physicians to inform them of the hospital’s services. For example, its cardiovascular fitness gym holds free blood pressure checks for local residents, as well as free glucose testing. The laboratory also conducts a successful local blood drive three times a year which has received strong community participation.   
 
Mr. Moawad credits Dignity Health-Glendale Memorial’s senior leadership team for their support in his team’s quest to seek Leading Laboratories designation.  “Our hospital administration is very focused on patient care and on supporting our community.” He is equally emphatic about giving credit to his laboratory team for their success.  
 
“I give a lot of credit to our team, who came together and were receptive to the idea of applying for Leading Laboratories designation. “We would not have been able to achieve this recognition without their input and leadership. Every single member of our team is invaluable.” 
 
Learn more about the Leading Laboratories initiative here.