Carol Andrews

As I sat down to write this column on the importance of recognition, I thought about a phrase I’ve often heard teenagers say, “You’d better recognize!” Most of us want to be recognized for a job well done and many of us yearn for that often-discussed 15 minutes of fame.

With that in mind, this month CLP is introducing a People in the News section in which we will publish news about promotions, awards earned, and other significant accomplishments (see page 42). Be sure to mail, e-mail, or call me with news for this department.

On another front, to address the labor crisis in the clinical diagnostics industry, Dade Behring is recognizing and rewarding individuals seeking associate degrees in medical laboratory science. The clinical diagnostics company created a $150,000 scholarship fund to be distributed over a 3-year period. The first 50 $1,000 scholarships have been awarded by Dade Behring with the assistance of the Coordinating Council on the Clinical Laboratory Workforce (CCCLW).

Professor Jim Griffith of the CCCLW and chancellor of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science at the University of Massachusetts says, “A great service has been rendered in the preparation of America’s next generation of clinical laboratory professionals.”

In another effort to address the personnel shortage in the clinical laboratory, the American Association for Clinical Chemistry is sponsoring a conference, “Meeting the Challenges of Laboratory Staffing: Long and Short Term Solutions,” in June. For additional information on this event, check out www.aacc.org/meetings.

Finally, remember that April is the month when we set aside a week to recognize medical laboratory professionals for their efforts on behalf of patients. National Medical Laboratory Week (NMLW) is April 18–24. This year the theme of NMLW is “Laboratory Professionals: Working With You for Better Health.” Sponsored by a number of professional organizations in the medical laboratory field, NMLW is a time for medical laboratory professionals to inform and educate medical colleagues and the public about the medical laboratory and to promote medical laboratory professions through recruitment and increased visibility.

Although you don’t have to recognize deserving individuals or promote recognition of your profession, it makes good business sense to do so in an industry facing a critical labor shortage.

By the way, as I put the finishing touches on this column, I decided to consult with the 17-year-old daughter of a friend about the meaning of “You’d better recognize!” Turns out that it’s less about giving recognition than it is about perceiving clearly or being aware. So much for my effort to be hip. Have a great month!

Carol Andrews
Editor
candrews@medpubs.com