Issue: January/February 2021

Theme: Advocacy

The importance of advocating for our profession has never been clearer than during this global pandemic, with its particular impact on medical laboratory professionals. This issue will showcase the ways our Labvocates work to improve the environment for laboratory professionals and maximize their efforts on positive patient outcomes. Advocacy topics may include efforts to influence public policy that impact laboratory professionals, including pressing for high standards, state licensure, and stronger rules on certification. Articles may also focus on personal advocacy—how to shape public perceptions of laboratory professionals and their contributions to the healthcare system—and ASCLS programs such as the annual Legislative Symposium, advocacy work in specific constituent societies, and engagement with regulatory agencies.

Issue published 

Issue: March/April 2021

Theme: Visibility

SARS-CoV-2 has brought unprecedented visibility to medical laboratories. However, confusion and misunderstanding (even conspiracy theories!) about testing and medical laboratories still plague our profession. Articles for this issue might showcase efforts to represent medical laboratory science to the public; successful interprofessional initiatives in your workplace; tips for promoting the profession through social media; participation at science or career fairs; or personal stories of how you discovered this amazing career.

Article Submission Deadline: February 1, 2021

Issue: May/June 2021

Theme: Diversity

"Promoting diversity supports the delivery of quality laboratory service” is one of the core values of ASCLS. Diversity can encompass all those differences that make us unique, such as race, color, ethnicity, language, nationality, sexual orientation, religion, gender, socio-economic status, age, and physical and mental ability. Assuring diversity and representation exists in ASCLS is critical to promoting a more equitable profession that can deliver patient-centered care. While ASCLS must strive to reflect the diversity in the profession, we must also work towards an inclusive profession that aims to fully represent the society it serves. This issue of ASCLS Today will reflect on the importance—and sometimes confusing nature—of diversity, inclusivity, equity, and justice. What does it mean to be diverse, inclusive, and equitable? How do these concepts assure a just culture in ASCLS? How can we set and achieve goals of promoting diversity?

Article Submission Deadline: April 1, 2021

Issue: July/August 2021

Theme: Patient Safety

This issue of ASCLS Today will reflect on the importance of patient safety. Medical laboratory science professionals are responsible for developing a culture of safety as defined by the National Academy of Science. How do laboratory professionals prevent errors to improve patient safety? What technological advances have been implemented to ensure safety in all phases of laboratory testing including pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical? What has been done to develop a laboratory culture that focuses on patient safety?

Article Submission Deadline: June 1, 2021