Texas Association for Clinical Laboratory Science Information

TACLS, when I think about our Association, I'd like to say it's an honor and a humbling experience to have the opportunity to serve you for the next two years as your President. I'm grateful to those past Presidents, Board and committee members, and student forum leaders who have worked and devoted personal resources to lend to the vision that makes the Texas Association for Clinical Laboratory Science (TACLS) the strong, successful organization it is today. I owe a great amount of thanks to Immediate Past President Joanna Ellis, who over the years has been an outstanding leader and colleague. During her presidency, she put much effort into increasing how efficiently and purposefully the Association moves, and did so in a manner which was highly professional and caring. Her recent work with the Board (Thanks Duncan Samo) to revise our By-Laws for electronic voting will allow for the rapid gathering of ideas, resulting in timely decision-making which is important for many TACLS functions. In my 13 years of involvement, I have learned that the inherent drive and dedication of TACLS comes from a history of nurturing by our past Presidents, and so I also extend special thanks to Dave Falleur, Christie Thompson, Duncan Samo, Becky See, Brandy Greenhill, Peter Hu, Linda Smith, John Wentz, Phil Kostroun, and so many others. I have also learned that there are too many people to thank - region VII directors (Linda Smith and Karen Chandler in my time), and ASCLS national mentors and colleagues (Shirlyn McKenzie, Maryann McLane, Marcia Armstrong, Dan Southern, Elissa Passiment, Susie Zanto, Suzanne Campbell, Joan Polancic, Debbie Faubion, Maribeth Flaws, Lacey Campbell, and SO MANY others). As I take on this role I am reminded of so many of you who have influenced me and truly inspired me to serve. My students and alumni....so many of you that I can't name you all, but I hope you know how much you motivate me every day to persevere and advocate for this profession. One of my favorite quotes to all of my students (and colleagues) is "Passion, Perseverance, Persistence, and Prayer" will see you through to success - to keep on keeping on! I am so proud of all you because you represent the very best of Texas and Texas State University! Eat em up Cats! As I assume this role, I keep in mind the trust and belief I have in TACLS. They are a group with exceptional integrity, passion, and work ethic. I look forward to working with each of them - Board, Committee members, Student Forum, and the overall membership to accomplish our goals and contribute to the overall mission of TACLS. In our current situation, medical laboratory professionals throughout Texas and this nation currently face many challenges in a tough political and economic climate. Many of us have witnessed the "lean" effect on hospital departments, the closing or downsizing of medical laboratory educational programs, and felt the effects of program cuts and budget reductions in laboratory reimbursement as well as an overall neglect or unobserved importance of our profession. All too often, we are limited or at times share resources while called upon to protect the public from health threats be it natural disasters, communicable infection outbreaks like measles, influenza or Ebola, and a multitude of other conditions. Despite these difficulties, we move ahead and perform at our highest ability to prevent illness or death - usually without any recognition or reward - because that's what we do! I believe there are several major challenges facing TACLS and ASCLS. First, I believe we all need to further enhance our memberships' collective ability to navigate the current political environment to survive, and hopefully thrive. I would like to challenge all of our members to improve communications and strengthen mutual efforts between other laboratory organizations such as APHL, CLMA, ASM, etc. and various levels of government, as well as the private sector. As these relationships are nurtured, TACLS will continue to represent the interest of our members and present a cohesive voice while participating in advisory boards, committees, and legislative processes. In addition, TACLS and our national professional organization ASCLS are faced with falling membership via both new professionals as well as the retention of seasoned practitioners. I want to ask each of you (yes, EACH of you) to reach out to prospective members and engage those who bring a wealth of knowledge through practical applications in the workforce. We encourage members, new as well as seasoned to share their views, experience or expertise by submitting articles to our TACLS website Blog (see: http://www.tacls.org/blog.html ), asking to be appointed to a committee or Task Force, or representing us in your community. To assist and support active members, TACLS will continue to make available scholarship money, service awards to those well-deserving recipients, as well as continuing education and professional advocacy. Lastly, TACLS will continue efforts to bring about medical laboratory personnel licensure in Texas. We need YOU to help spread the word about our critical place in healthcare and how we provide 70% or more of the data important to your health and the health of your loved ones. Our profession needs new ideas, a mix of new and seasoned professionals willing to share the burden of work, and a passion to make it happen! Our Board, committees and student forum leaders work diligently throughout the year with our annual conference host city to expand the scope of programs and CE offered, and to bring to our attendees a wide variety of speakers and topics. I will be proposing a Task Force in one of my first orders of business to create an organizing committee for our annual conference. In 2016, the annual TACLS conference with be hosted in San Antonio. Please consider volunteering to help the host city and its leaders work on the organization of the conference. Coinciding with the educational experiences at our annual conference is an opportunity to network with colleagues, which in and of itself is a valuable asset toward developing professionally and enhancing one's knowledge. As I close, I am humbled to serve as your President. Remember as we face the future, we are a family! We (not I) must all step up to serve this wonderful organization in our own way and with our own unique strengths. One President or a few Board members cannot do this alone - Please join us as we move forward for your professional voice!