Medical laboratory professionals are unsung heroes on the medical center campus.
Working behind-the-scenes, lab professionals and pathologists perform and interpret lab tests that are instrumental in providing a diagnosis for patients and ultimately determining a course of treatment.
There are nearly 400 medical laboratory professionals on the UNMC/Nebraska Medicine campus, and last week, they celebrated National Medical Professionals Week with a multitude of activities.
This year’s theme was, “Diagnosis Detective, Solving Patient Cases One Test at a Time.” Among the activities held were:
- a Lab Walk;
- Lab Gram messages were sent to people both inside and outside the lab (purchased for $1, the messages appeared on labels on the outside of clean urine containers filled with candy);
- charity project for the First Responders Foundation;
- a game called “Two Truths and a Lie,”
- a contest in line with the “Diagnosis Detective” theme in which each lab department submitted a uniform and badge representing their department’s role in solving patient cases;
- a breakfast for lab personnel provided by lab administrators;
- a healthy snack, department potlucks and cake; and
- a wrap up pizza party provided by the pathologists.
“National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is an excellent opportunity to promote the laboratory profession,” said Kathy Salerno, Core Lab manager for Nebraska Medicine. “It’s also a great way to thank our staff for their service, recruit new students to the field, and gain visibility for the laboratory throughout the institution and the community.”