Spring is around the corner, and the season is bringing with it fresh ideas and new projects. This month is an exciting month for CLP for a number of reasons. First, we’re providing a new service, Expert Insight, on our Web site. Visitors to our Web site (www.clpmag.com) can ask questions on a variety of subjects, and answers from industry experts will be posted online shortly thereafter. Experts currently online include Nancy Brunzel, MS, CLS (NCA), Ray Hecker, George Rodrigues, PhD, and Henry Oglesby.

Nancy Brunzel, MS, CLS (NCA), who is sponsored by Iris Diagnostics, is with the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, and author of the book, Fundamentals of Urine and Body Fluid Analysis, now in its second edition. Brunzel is available to answer questions in the area of automated urine chemistry, urine microscopy, and body fluids. Franek Technologies Inc features its vice president, Ray Hecker, who will provide answers to laboratory design, operation, and electrical power-related questions. ARTEL’s senior scientific manager, George Rodrigues, PhD, has 20 years of experience as a chemist and metrologist, and is author of numerous papers and ARTEL’s series of lab reports that provide advice on tactical issues for laboratory professionals. He is answering questions on pipetting, liquid delivery, and compliance issues. Finally, Henry Oglesby, vice president of operations for Orchard Software, answers questions about laboratory information systems.

In another exciting development, many of you received CLPreview, our weekly e-newsletter that provides news about CLMA ThinkLab ’06, scheduled for March 18–21 in Charlotte, NC. All indications are that this year’s conference will be a first-rate event. Our next e-newsletter, CLPrime, will debut soon, and it will provide the latest news and developments affecting the clinical lab industry. If you aren’t already receiving CLP’s e-newsletters, visit our Web site to sign up today. And be sure to let me know what you think about our latest offerings.

Looking ahead, remember that April 23–29 is National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (NMLPW). This is your time to celebrate you—laboratory professionals and pathologists who perform and interpret laboratory tests. This year, the theme of NMLPW is “Laboratory Professionals Providing Answers. Guiding Cures.” If you haven’t already planned to do so, why not take this time to educate medical colleagues and the public about the laboratory profession. Because laboratory professionals usually work behind the scenes, sometimes others fail to realize how critically important laboratory testing is to patient care. Plan some activities that will get the word out! And since this is a perfect time to spotlight your profession, be sure to let me know what you have planned so that I can share your celebrations and projects with other readers. In addition, the American Society for Clinical Pathology is compiling reports and photos of Lab Week activities. For additional information, check out www.ascp.org.

Here’s to growth, new offerings, and recognizing the all-important job that you do!

Carol Andrews
candrews@ascendmedia.com