As 2024 draws to a close, we proudly reflect on a year of significant accomplishments at NAACLS.  From developing new standards to addressing workforce challenges and reimagining our brand, we continue to demonstrate our commitment to advancing education in the laboratory science field with energy and purpose.

Advocacy efforts remain a cornerstone of our achievements in 2024. For the second consecutive year, we partner with the COLA Workforce Action Alliance (WAA), reinforcing our dedication to addressing critical workforce challenges, including staff shortages. As a featured speaker at the WAA, we share insights from our 2023 annual survey of programs, providing program officials with a practical resource to drive meaningful organization changes. You can explore the findings here: (https://naaclsnews.org/2024/09/23/ceos-corner-findings-from-the-2023-annual-survey/).

Our collaborative work with the Medical Public Health Laboratory Workforce Partnership continues to expand. Through this coalition, NAACLS partnered with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), ASCP Board of Certification, and the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) to develop a step-by-step guide for educational Programs who wish to adopt the Medical Laboratory Science nomenclature. This resource, titled MLS Name Change for Programs, is now available at: https://www.mphlcoalition.org/

We maintain an active presence at key advocacy events, including the Labvocate Symposium (AKA Legislative Day), and remain involved with the ASCLS Governmental Affairs Committee to stay informed about public policies affecting laboratory professionals.

This year, we developed new and updated standards. The addition of an Interprofessional Education Standard marks a significant step toward fostering collaboration with other healthcare providers, which is known to improve patient safety outcomes. The inclusion of an International Standard broadens the applicability of our guidelines to a global audience, while integrating partnerships into Standard I will encourage innovative program growth. Comprehensive updates to our entry-level curriculum reflect current industry demands and trends.

To enhance clarity and support compliance, we revamped  the Standards Compliance Guide (SCG), adding a new glossary to provides practical guidance for program officials.

Internally, new quality assurance initiatives strengthen our foundation for growth and improve operations. We have made updates to our database to streamline processes and ensure program information is current. We conduct post-mortem debriefing sessions after major events and meetings to help us refine our approaches for even better outcomes in the future.

Earlier this summer, we welcomed a new team member, Julie Braglia, to enhance our operations. We prioritize team-building efforts to improve collaboration and morale with off-site activities. After six years of service, two of our staff members expanded their roles on the NAACLS team. Michele Giannosa is our Volunteer Services Manager, overseeing all volunteer communications. Jennifer Loyo is expanding her role as NAACLS’ Accounting Manager.

Our external presence and visibility continues to grow in 2024, as we love interacting with our community. All Program Services Staff participate in site visits, which allows us to build stronger relationships and gain firsthand insights into the needs of the NAACLS community. Our NAACLS LinkedIn page boasts an impressive 700 followers—a significant leap from just 60 in May 2022. Our CEO’s involvement in two prominent podcasts and a presentation at the Council of Higher Education Accreditation showcase our thought leadership and commitment to advancing accreditation best practices.

Recognizing and supporting our volunteers is always a priority. We introduced new microphones at the Review Committee meeting in Reno, Nevada. We gave our committee members NAACLS branded swag to celebrate their contributions and deliver specialized training to empower them with the tools they need to succeed. Volunteers are the backbone of our organization, and these efforts are designed to show our appreciation and invest in their development. We awarded our second Distinguished Service Award in 2024 to Cecile Sanders at our Board reception in beautiful Park City, Utah.

This year also marks the unveiling of our new logo, reflecting our evolution and forward momentum. All documents now feature our updated color palette and incorporate modern design elements, enhancing our professional identity. 

As we look ahead to 2025, exciting developments are on the horizon. We are preparing to launch a new website designed to be user-friendly and accessible, to better serve our growing community. A new series of advocacy articles on the NAACLS News will offer actionable strategies to help programs thrive and secure vital resources.

An exciting development in 2025 is the growing interest in our new accreditation pathways, Public Health Microbiology, Biomedical Science, and Medical Laboratory Microbiology. Many organizations express eagerness to explore these pathways, signaling a strong demand for innovative approaches that align with the evolving needs of educational programs in the laboratory science profession. We look forward to supporting these efforts and fostering progress in accreditation standards.

With the changes in standards, supporting documents, and the influx of new programs and program officials, NAACLS will offer a full-day virtual workshop in early June 2025, complementing our existing programming and helping program officials navigate the latest standards and processes.

As we move into 2025, we remain energized by the progress made in 2024 and committed to driving growth, encouraging innovation, and pursuing excellence in the years ahead. Thank you for being an essential part of the NAACLS community.