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Mission, Vision, and Value Statements of the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Mission Statement:
The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) is committed to being the premier accreditation agency for ensuring the advancement of education in clinical laboratory sciences and related health care disciplines provided by domestic and international programs.
Vision Statement:
Medical laboratories preferentially seek graduates of NAACLS programs to assure quality, value, innovation and safety for healthcare consumers.
Values:
Quality
Education
Innovation
Collaboration
Peer Review
Global Accreditation
A process of external peer review in which NAACLS grants public recognition to education programs that meet established education standards in clinical laboratory science disciplines of Medical Laboratory Assistant (MLA), Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), Doctoral Clinical Laboratory Scientist (DCLS), Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), Cytogenetic Technologist (CG), Diagnostic Molecular Scientist (DMS), Histotechnician (HT), Histotechnologist (HTL), and Pathologists' Assistant (Path A), Phlebotomist (Phleb). All accredited programs are required to submit a self-study and host a site visit in the cyclical review process. Accredited programs are eligible for a maximum award of ten years. These programs must either grant the associate degree or higher or a certificate of completion (if students already hold a degree) upon the successful culmination. The NAACLS Accreditation process is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
International Accreditation Policy
The NAACLS Board of Directors has voted to open the accreditation process to laboratory programs located outside the United States. Such programs are invited to have the chief executive officer submit letters of intent to seek NAACLS accreditation. All materials sent to NAACLS regarding accreditation must be submitted in English.
The steps of the accreditation process for international programs are identical to the steps for United States programs and are found in the Guide to Accreditation. These include an application for accreditation, attainment of serious applicant status, submission of a self study document, and an on-site evaluation.
The program is expected to meet the Standards as defined by NAACLS. The sponsoring academic institution must be accredited by a regional or national accrediting agency for higher education and must be authorized under applicable law to provide post secondary education and to grant the appropriate degree.
The program is expected to pay the application fee, all costs associated with the on-site visit (including business class air fare), plus an annual fee.
Who We Are
About Board of Directors
President
AAPA Representative (2019 - 2023)
Robert Cottrell, MHS, PA(ASCP)CM
Quinnipiac University
Email
Vice President
ASCP Representative (2020-2024)
Karen A. Brown, MS, MASCP, MLS (ASCP)CM
Medical Laboratory Sciences,
University of Utah
Email
Secretary
ASCLS Representative (2019 – 2023)
Suzanne Norris Zanto, MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM, SM
Laboratory Solutions
Email
Treasurer
ASCP Representative (2022 - 2026)
Nathan H. Johnson, PhD, MASCP, MLS(ASCP), SC, SLS, DLM, CC(NRCC)
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
Email
Member at Large
Two Year Educator (2021 - 2025)
Elaina Bleifield, PhD
Inver Hills Community College
Email
ASCLS Representative (2021 - 2025)
Maribeth L. Flaws, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, SM(ASCP)SI
Rush University Medical Center
Email
ASCLS Representative (2021 - 2025)
Christie L Massen, PhD, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM
North Dakota Department of Health
Email
ASCP Representative (2020 -2024)
Joel M. Shilling, MD(FASCP)
Email
AGT Representitive (2021 - 2025)
Jun Gu, MD, PhD, CG(ASCP)CM
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Email
NSH Representative (2020-2024)
Mark A. Bailey, MA, HTL(ASCP)CM
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Email
Public Member (2021 - 2025)
Nathan Marik, MBA
Bank of the West
Email
Four Year Educator (2021 - 2025)
Abiodun Akinwuntan, PhD, MPH, MBA
University of Kansas Medical Center
Email
About Doctoral Review Committee
Chair
MLS Graduate Faculty (2020-2025)
S. Renee Hodgkins, PhD, MLS(ASCP)
University of Kansas Medical Center
Email
Vice Chair
Doctoral Level Clinical Laboratory Educator (2020-2024)
Nadine Lerret, Ph.D., MLS(ASCP)CM
Rush University
Email
DCLS Practitioner (2023-2027)
Cristian Lozano, DCLS, MLS(ASCP)CM
Quest Diagnostic
Email
Clinical Laboratory Sciences Industry Executive or Leader (2021-2025)
Jennifer Thebo, PhD, MLS(ASCP)
JuST Scientific Solutions, LLC
Email
Dept. Chair, Vice President/Provost, or Dean (2021-2025)
Janelle M. Chiasera, PhD, MLS(ASCP)
Quinnipiac University
Email
Board Liaison to DRC
Julie O'Sullivan Maillet, PhD, RD, FASAHP
Email
Member at Large (2023 - 2027)
Christen Diel, M.S. CLS, MLS (ASCP)
Augusta University Medical Center
Email
About NAACLS Staff
Chief Executive Officer
Marisa K. James, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM
(773) 714-8880 ext. 384
Email
Staff
Program Accreditation Coordinator & Quality Assurance Liaison
Russ DeCaluwe
(773) 714-8880 ext. 381
Email
Staff
Meetings & Events Planner
Megan Eggert
(773) 714-8880
Email
Staff
Accreditation Coordinator, Board & Review Committee Liaison
Michele Giannosa
(773) 714-8880 ext. 382
Email
Staff
Accountant
Francine Schwartz
Email
Staff
IT Manager
Elizabeth Swartz
(773) 714-8880 ext. 389
Email
Staff
Director of Strategic Initiatives & Volunteer Manager
Mark Spence
(773) 714-8880 ext. 388
Email
Staff
Accounting Associate
Jennifer Loyo
(773) 714-8880 ext. 383
Email
Staff
Program Accreditation Coordinator & Review Liaison
Jessy Jasso
(773) 714-8880 ext. 385
Email
Staff
Program Services Coordinator
Stefanie Troxell
(773) 714-8880 ext. 380
Email
About Programs Accreditation Review Committee
Chair
Phlebotomy Educator (2022 - 2026)
Keri Brophy-Martinez, MHA, MLS(ASCP)
Austin Community College
Email
Vice Chair
Phlebotomy Educator (2021 - 2025)
Phyllis Ingham, EdD MEd MLS (ASCP)CM AHI(AMT)
West Georgia Technical College
Email
Phlebotomy Educator (2021- 2025)
Terri McElhattan, MHA, MLS, PBT (ASCP) CPI (ACA)
Geisinger Health System
Email
Phlebotomy Practitioner (2020-2024)
Marilyn S. McCain, BS MBA MLS H(ASCP)
Grady Health System
Email
Medical Laboratory Assistant Educator (2021- 2025)
Rita Miller, Ed.D, MS(CLS), MLS(ASCP)
Minnesota West Community & Technical College
Email
Two Year Educator (2013 - 2027)
Mary L. Mattes, MS, PA(ASCP)cm
Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Email
Two Year Educator (2024)
Michelle M. Hill, MS, MLS(ASCP)SLS
Southwest Tennessee Community College
Email
Medical Laboratory Technician Educator (2021 - 2025)
Sally Pestana, MLS(ASCP)
Email
Medical Laboratory Technician Educator (2023 - 2027)
Maria Torres-Pillot, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM
Northern Virginia Community College
Email
Medical Laboratory Technician Educator (2022 - 2026)
Candice Grayson, MS, MA, MLS(ASCP)
Community College of Baltimore County
Email
Medical Laboratory Technician Educator (2022 - 2026)
Frankie Harris-Lyne, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM
Northern Virginia Community College
Email
Medical Laboratory Technician Educator (2020 - 2024)
Andrea Gordon, MEd, MLS(ASCP)SH
Email
Histotechnologist Educator (HTL) (2022 - 2026)
Dale Telgenhoff, PhD, HTL(ASCP)CM
Oakland University
Email
Board Liaison to PARC
Susanne Norris Zanto, MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM, SM
Laboratory Solutions
Email
Histology Educator (2023 - 2027)
Melmar F Ordinario, MSML, HTL (ASCP)
Keiser University- Orlando
Email
Histology Educator (2023 - 2027)
Taiquanda Winbush, HT(ASCP)CM
Albany State University
Email
Medical Laboratory Technician Educator (2023 - 2027)
Rochelle Helminski, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM
Phoenix College
Email
About Review Committee for Accredited Programs
Chair
Four Year Educator (2021 - 2025)
Charity E. Accurso, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM
University of Cincinnati
Email
Vice Chair
Medical Laboratory Scientist Educator (2023 - 2027)
Jennifer Knight, MHS, MLS(ASCP)CM
Mississippi Baptist Medical Center
Email
Pathologist's Assistant Practitioner (2020 - 2024)
William F. Ahlfeld, MS, PA(ASCP)
Email
Pathologists’ Assistant Educator (2022 - 2026)
Michelle M Costas, MHS, PA(ASCP)CM
West Virginia University Department of Pathology
Email
Medical Laboratory Scientist Educator (2020 - 2024)
Ramona Fox, MS, MLS(ASCP)
Email
Medical Laboratory Scientist Educator (2020 - 2024)
Jeanne Isabel, EdD, MLS, SH(ASCP)
Northern Illinois University
Email
Medical Laboratory Scientist Educator (2021 - 2025)
Dawn Tripolino, MBA, MLS(ASCP)
Bayfront Health St. Petersburg
Email
Medical Laboratory Scientist Educator (2020 - 2024)
Elizabeth A. Gockel-Blessing, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM
St. Louis University
Email
Medical Laboratory Scientist Educator (2021 - 2025)
Carol Rentas, PhD, MEd, MLS(ASCP)
George Washington University
Biomedical Laboratory Sciences
Email
Medical Laboratory Scientist Educator (2022 - 2026)
James March Mistler, ABD, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM
University of Massachusetts - Dartmouth
Email
Four Year Educator (2020 - 2024)
Eric A. Elsinghorst, PhD, MPH, MB(ASCP)CM, MLS(ASCP)CM
University of Kansas Medical Center School of Health Professions
Email
Diagnostic Molecular Scientist Educator (2022 - 2026)
Amy R Groszbach, M.Ed
Mayo Clinic
Email
Cytogenetic Technology Educator (2021 - 2025)
Jason Yuhas, BS, CG(ASCP)CM
North Shore Health & North Shore Living
Email
Board Liaison to RCAP
Christie L Massen, PhD, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM
Minnesota State Community & Technical College - Fergus Falls
Email
PHM Educator (2023 - 2027)
Brandy Greenhill, DrPH, MLS(ASCP)CM
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
Email
MLS Educator (2023 - 2027)
Patricia Boyer, MSHS, MLS(ASCP)CM
Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Email
MLM Educator (2023 - 2027)
Janice M. Conway-Klaassen, PhD, MLS(ASCP)SM, FACSc
University M Minnesota Medical Laboratory Science Center for Allied Health Programs
Email
Peer Organizations