On November 26, 1973, the Articles of Incorporation were signed to establish the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. NAACLS was named the successor to the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Schools. This issue of the CEO Corner will focus on the past fifteen months, highlighting the various accomplishments of NAACLS, a new CEO’s journey, 50^th anniversary celebrations, and an inspiring closing message for the future of NAACLS. 

When I became a NAACLS approved Program Director in 2006, it felt like a calling. This role allowed me to inspire students of all ages and showcase the value of laboratory professionals to anyone who would listen. I truly believed I would spend my entire career as a Program Director. However, my perspective on my career shifted. While I valued my impact as a Program Director, a growing sense of restlessness led me to volunteer with organizations such as NAACLS, ASCLS, and ASCP. I slowly realized my love for education and laboratory medicine extended beyond the confines of my then-current role as I desired to make an impact on a broader scale. This discovery ultimately culminated in my appointment as the next NAACLS CEO.

I have often referred to the yearlong process of applying and interviewing for the CEO position at NAACLS as a personal journey. The word “courage” became my mantra, and while preparing my CV, letter of intent, and interviews, I asked myself “why” questions I had not entertained since I was a college student. The answers to these questions gave me confidence that when I was named CEO, this strategic and influential position within the laboratory science community was where I was meant to be. Coincidentally, and to my pleasure, my first year as CEO unfolded in tandem with NAACLS commemorating its 50^th anniversary. This alignment set the stage for an incredible first year as I embraced my role as a brand new CEO while also celebrating the rich legacy of NAACLS.

First and foremost, I express my appreciation for the exceptional team I lead. Their expertise in accreditation is widely recognized within the NAACLS community, and I never tire of hearing feedback about them. I have learned a great deal from them, and our connection is something I sincerely appreciate. Additionally, our supportive Board of Directors, in their guidance has been invaluable as I navigated my first executive role. Their unwavering support is certainly not something I take for granted.

Over the past year, I have had the privilege of meeting remarkable people who dedicate their personal time as NAACLS volunteers. We have an abundance of self-study and site visit reviewers who take pride in representing NAACLS and helping programs achieve their best outcomes. The NAACLS team works side by side (virtually, of course 😊 ) with NAACLS Review Committee members as they perform essential tasks, spending endless hours checking and rechecking their work to ensure NAACLS attains excellence in accreditation with the highest quality standards. I am in awe of our Review Committee members’ work for NAACLS.

In 2023, NAACLS achieved several milestones worth highlighting. We introduced two new accreditation pathways in the areas of Medical Laboratory Microbiologist (MLM) and Public Health Microbiologist (PHM). The Biomedical Scientist (BMS) pathway is well on its way to becoming a new pathway.  NAACLS is recommitting efforts to recruit additional international programs by introducing an International Task Force.  Accredited Phlebotomy programs conducted their first site visits this fall. Quality assurance efforts included a notable recognition by Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), our accreditor, for seven years, the maximum possible duration. We also approved the first draft of new Standards, updated our Strategic Plan, and conducted internal quality assurance through a staff leadership retreat in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Volunteer recognition was a NAACLS priority in its 50^th year and we organized several celebrations in 2023. We celebrated our 50th anniversary and kicked off the Clinical Laboratory Educator’s Conference with a memorable NAACLS workshop, complete with a mocktail toast. Our reception at CLEC, featuring a build-your-own waffle station, remains a topic of conversation to this day. Cake and champagne added to the festivities, and we proudly unveiled our 50^th NAACLS logo on swag, a cake, and banners where folks lined up to take pictures. We also disseminated NAACLS pins for staff, BOD, and Review Committee members. We created 50th-anniversary videos featuring the Board of Directors, Review Committee members, and CLEC volunteers.  

The 50^th celebration extended to our Review Committee meeting in Montreal, Canada this summer, our first gathering abroad. We hosted a reception and ensured our Review Committee members came home with NAACLS swag. This was also the first meeting where all three Review Committees were together in attendance. We restructured the Review Committees to enhance equity, allowing us to harness the collective intelligence and expertise in the room to the fullest extent. Feedback from our volunteers regarding the reorganization has been overwhelmingly positive and we are optimistic the restructure will be a success and benefit NAACLS for years to come.

We continued the jubilation at our Board of Directors meeting, inviting former NAACLS CEOs, previous BOD Presidents, and representatives from our sponsoring and participating organizations to join us for a grand 50th-anniversary gala. It was a joyous occasion, and you can find pictures in the gallery that capture the spirit of our volunteers from both the past and present.

As part of our advocacy efforts, NAACLS is committed to playing an integral role in helping alleviate the Laboratory workforce shortage in any way it can. We collaborate with the COLA Workforce Alliance and the Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce (MPHLW) coalition. These partnerships bring together multiple healthcare and laboratory organizations to address laboratory professionals’ challenges. We introduced new annual survey questions to ascertain data program data and help provide new pathways for our accredited programs to secure resources. Tracking trends within the profession will assist organizations dealing with staff and other resource shortages. Our monthly calls with the ASCLS Governmental Affairs further reinforce our commitment to advocacy throughout the year and NAACLS participated in Legislative Day on Capitol Hill for the first time. Additionally, NAACLS rallied support and submitted a public comment to CMS in favor of the Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) serving as a director of a high-complexity lab.

NAACLS has organized three workshops since the fall of 2022 and streamlined billing processes for new programs and Program Directors. We created a NAACLS LinkedIn page, which has more than 525 subscribers. I surprised the staff with a 50^th luncheon to celebrate a fantastic 50th year.

NAACLS enhanced staff development through increased in-person engagement by participating in major events such as the CHEA, Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA), Chicago Area Accreditors (CAA), Joint Annual Meeting (ASCLS, AGT, SAFMLS), the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP), National Network of Health Career Programs in Two Year Colleges (NN2), National Society for Histotechnology (NSH), ASCP, the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE), and the International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IFBLS) meetings as well as the ASCP 100^th  anniversary party. I myself have had the honor of connecting with leaders from organizations such as ASCLS, ASCP, Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COLA, The Joint Commission (TJC), American Medical Technologists (AMT), and many more. More specifically, periodic CEO luncheons with ASCP, AMT, and ASLCS leadership have been a highlight as we share collaborative discussions that affect all of us in laboratory medicine.

As we close 2023, I want to express my gratitude to the NAACLS community for the dedication and resilience demonstrated throughout the year. Staff shortages and the subsequent impact on laboratory programs remain  a major challenge in the laboratory profession. The inclusion of advocacy in our Strategic Plan and collaboration with other laboratory organizations exemplify our collective commitment to overcome these obstacles to ensure the continued success of our laboratory educational programs.

In the face of staffing challenges, our profession’s strength lies in mentorship and the cultivating a supportive community. It is about guiding students and nurturing the growth of new faculty, program directors, and laboratory managers. Our passion for laboratory science, evident in advocacy efforts, compelling elevator pitches, positive engagement on social media, and active participation in career development initiatives, will inspire others to consider a career in our field or remain in our profession.

Within the NAACLS community, I see professionals dedicated to two of the most noble professions in society: education and healthcare. Whether you work directly in the laboratory or contribute from an educational role, your impact is immeasurable. Every program director, education coordinator, faculty member, or instructor plays a crucial role in shaping the future of laboratory science and, consequently, ensuring the safety and well-being of patients. Together, we are transforming patient lives one student, graduate, and program at a time. Educators, never underestimate the profound effect you have on healthcare.

Reflecting on my inaugural year as NAACLS CEO, I am reminded of the invaluable support from friends, colleagues, mentors, and even former students. Small gestures, often unnoticed, have played a significant role in my journey, emphasizing the importance of maintaining enthusiasm in all we do. Our collective passion is contagious, drawing others to join our ranks and contribute to the positive evolution of our field.

Looking ahead to 2024, I am excited about the upcoming rebranding of NAACLS, complete with a new logo. This represents a new chapter, symbolizing our commitment to advancing our mission with enthusiasm and dedication. The future is undeniably bright, and I am confident that we will continue to elevate laboratory science education and make a lasting impact on healthcare. Thank you for your dedication, and let’s share a final toast to a transformative and inspiring year ahead.