by Robert Cottrell, MHS, PA(ASCP)^CM – President, NAACLS Board of Directors

As I reflect on my second year serving as President of the NAACLS Board for the 2024–2025 term, I am filled with a profound sense of gratitude, responsibility, and respect. This year has been shaped by milestones of great significance and initiatives that continue to support the advancement of laboratory professionals and reinforce the essential role of interprofessional collaboration in modern healthcare.

Among the most meaningful moments was my participation in the Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference (CLEC). Not only did I attend CLEC, but I also had the honor of contributing to CLEC 2025 as a content presenter. This experience reaffirmed the immense value of professional dialogue and the power of a shared vision for excellence in laboratory education. CLEC continues to be a cornerstone for exchanging innovative ideas, enhancing educator capacity, and strengthening NAACLS’s engagement with our national community of laboratory professionals.

The field of clinical laboratory science is experiencing a vital and necessary evolution toward deeper interprofessional collaboration. NAACLS has proudly joined the broader communities of allied health and medical education in advancing interprofessional education (IPE), a critical movement that recognizes laboratory professionals as integral contributors to patient-centered care teams. Through our active involvement in IPE initiatives and forums, we continue to ensure that the unique voice and value of the laboratory professional is heard and embraced within multidisciplinary healthcare education environments.

The ongoing work of the NAACLS International Task Force and NAACLS involvement in the MPHLW Coalition and the Workforce Action Alliance has fostered increased interdisciplinary engagement while addressing urgent workforce demands. These activities have supported our exploration of international accreditation partnerships, an endeavor that reflects NAACLS’s unwavering commitment to global collaboration and outreach. By extending our partnerships across borders, we aim not only to uphold standards of excellence worldwide but also to deepen our appreciation for diverse cultural and educational perspectives.

Perhaps the most transformative achievement of this past year has been the formal release of the NAACLS 2024 Standards. These revised standards represent the culmination of tireless dedication, thoughtful deliberation, and broad collaboration. They reflect both the evolving demands of clinical laboratory science education and NAACLS’s long-standing mission of academic excellence and public accountability. They are intentionally designed to be non-prescriptive and outcomes-focused, offering programs the flexibility to align with their distinct missions, populations, and instructional models while upholding rigorous expectations. This thoughtful balance empowers educators to innovate while preserving fidelity to core competencies and accreditation principles. The Standards are, in essence, a guide that respects professional judgment and fosters continuous improvement.

It is vital to acknowledge the inclusive and transparent nature of the revision process. These new standards were shaped through an extensive public engagement effort. Feedback was solicited through surveys, focus groups, open comment periods, and advisory consultations, ensuring that faculty, employers, clinical educators, and community partners all had a voice in shaping the future of laboratory education. The resulting framework is one that is truly for and by the profession, reflecting our shared values and aspirations.

The NAACLS 2024 Standards are not merely regulatory guidelines. They reflect our community’s shared dedication, our willingness to evolve, and our enduring pursuit of excellence. They are a tribute to the passion, professionalism, and resilience that define the laboratory sciences.

This accomplishment would not have been possible without the extraordinary leadership and commitment of our NAACLS CEO, Marisa James, whose steadfast guidance was instrumental throughout this multi-year journey. I also extend my deepest appreciation to the NAACLS office staff, who managed this process with diligence, precision, and integrity. To our volunteer Review Committee members, the Standards Revision Task Force, and the Board of Directors I express my heartfelt thanks. Your scrutiny, practical insight, and deep understanding of the profession have shaped a document that will benefit future generations of students, educators, and the communities they serve.

As we look toward the future, I remain committed to championing continuing education, cross-disciplinary training, and innovative thinking in our field. Laboratory professionals must be equipped not only with technical knowledge but with the agility and insight needed to thrive in a dynamic healthcare landscape. I firmly believe that by deepening our partnerships, embracing our shared responsibilities, and cultivating professional development, we will continue to raise the standard and impact of clinical laboratory practice, across the nation and around the world.

It has been an honor to serve this organization and this community. I am humbled by your trust and energized by the road ahead. Together, we will continue the journey of excellence, service, and transformation.