CHICAGO - Laboratory scientists around the country will celebrate the 33rd National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week - a week set aside to recognize the "behind the scenes" work that goes on in medical laboratories across the country - April 20-26.

This year's theme, "Delivering Today's Results for a Healthier Tomorrow," emphasizes the integral role that laboratory professionals play in diagnosing illness, which, in turn helps doctors figure out steps for patient treatment. Lab Week began in 1975 as a joint project of several U.S. laboratory organizations as a way to call attention to the work that goes on in many different kinds of laboratories - ranging from those in hospitals, battle field trauma units, and research teaching institutions - by more than 300,000 laboratory professionals and an estimated 15,000 pathologists.

"Lab Week is so important because it not only gives laboratory professionals a chance to recognize each other but also for patients and the public to recognize the importance of what they do," said Pat Knebel, MT(ASCP), immediate past-chair of the ASCP Council of Laboratory Professionals. "The laboratory professions are generally hidden from public view, and the vital work performed in laboratories goes unnoticed. During Lab Week 10 societies join together to raise awareness about the importance and relevance of lab work and to showcase the many laboratory occupations and their direct effect on public health."
Despite the critical position that laboratory professionals hold in the healthcare system, there is still a workforce shortage within the industry. The shortage can be attributed to many factors including retirement, fewer laboratory science schools and, as a result, fewer graduates. Lab Week is also an opportunity to generate interest in the profession, which was noted as a key factor to increasing the number of laboratory technicians during a forum co-sponsored by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the Connecticut Society of Pathology in November 2007.

Lab Week's theme of delivering results extends beyond the laboratory as representatives of ASCP continue to provide solutions both in the United States and abroad with laboratory training in sub-Saharan Africa and South America.

Strengthening the number of laboratory programs and increasing the number of qualified technicians are national and international priorities. To address this concern, ASCP, a certifying body for laboratory professionals, has created an international arm that allows professionals in other countries to acquire ASCP's gold standard certification.

Like last year, this year's National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week will be observed by dedicated medical professionals from several laboratory associations, including ASCP, with laboratory tours, mayoral proclamations and open houses in hospitals and cities across the country.

Visit www.LabWeek.org for more information.

Co-sponsors of the 2008 National Medical Laboratory Week: American Society
for Clinical Pathology, AACC, AABB, American Medical Technologists, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, American Society of Cytopathology, Association of Public Health Laboratories, Clinical Laboratory Management Association, College of American Pathologists, and National Society for Histotechnology.