Every day, in hospitals, clinics, and physicians’ offices across the country, medical laboratory professionals perform the vital testing that informs over 70% of medical decisions. We work behind the scenes—examining blood, tissues, and other body fluids; detecting diseases; monitoring treatments; and delivering fast, accurate results that save lives. Yet despite our critical role in patient care, our contributions often go unnoticed.
To Labvocate means to stand up and speak out for our profession—for the people and policies that shape the future of laboratory medicine. It means using our voices to push for meaningful recognition, fair compensation, and sustainable workforce practices. It means educating lawmakers, healthcare leaders, and the public about the value we bring to every patient encounter.
The healthcare system cannot function without laboratory testing—and laboratory testing does not happen without a qualified, empowered workforce. Yet, our field faces growing challenges: workforce shortages, funding cuts, burnout, an increasingly complex healthcare system, a growing number of public health threats, and underrepresentation in decision-making. These issues do not just impact healthcare professsionals—they affect the quality and timeliness of care for every patient.
That’s why we advocate for:
- Investment in quality laboratory education and training;
- Policies that promote workforce sustainability and retention;
- Reimbursement models that reflect the true value of laboratory services;
- Evidence-based public health practices;
- Equitable access to laboratory testing, especially in rural and underserved; communities; and
- Inclusion of medical laboratory professionals in healthcare policy discussions and leadership roles.
We Labvocate to ensure the future of our profession—and the health of our communities.
Whether you’re a seasoned laboratorian, a student just entering the field, or someone who has benefited from laboratory testing (spoiler: that’s everyone), you have a stake in the strength of the medical laboratory. When medical laboratory professionals are supported, patients receive faster, more accurate diagnoses and healthcare outcomes improve. When we are heard, healthcare gets better.
So we Labvocate because…
…our work is vital.
…our profession deserves respect and representation.
…patients depend on us, even if they never see us.
…if we don’t speak up for the medical laboratory—who will?
Join us. Share your story. Raise your voice. Be a Labvocate.
Why Do I Labvocate?
Stephanie Noblit, Esq., MLS(ASCP)CM shares her personal motivation for labvocacy.
Everyone, no matter their ZIP code, should be able to have access to quality healthcare and accurate and timely lab results.
The clinical laboratory is the backbone of medicine, and without it, healthcare practitioners would not be able to properly care for their patients, and hospitals would be forced to close.
Standing up for patient Safety cannot just happen within the walls of the laboratory. It has to happen in our communities and in conversations with our elected officials.