Our other main focus in 2020 was ensuring the delivery of the high-stakes certification exams within the limitations of social distancing at exam sites. In order to accomplish this, we doubled the number of testing sessions so no candidate would be left behind. We also introduced Remote Proctored Testing, in a timeline that seemed impossible before 2020. Yet we did it. I credit our tenacious staff, along with the trust and confidence from our regulators and educators, to deliver newly certified professionals into the workforce.

There were some difficult decisions made in 2020, such as the decision to cancel all in-person events, including LABCON. Regardless of how it happened, we were committed to providing members high-quality education and opportunities to connect with one another. We secured exceptional speakers, technical content and superior learning, all virtually. While listening to member feedback, we understood your current and future needs. From that, we built the COVID-19: Member Support page, to give you reliable information as the world was changing. We also poured resources into your mental health, providing tools, tips and webinars to help offset the experiences of your day-to-day stress. While our office staff worked from home, we were proud to continually offer exceptional customer service that members relied on.

2020 taught me that, as a leader, people look to you for answers. And when you don’t have them, you need to be honest. We were all learning on the fly. I learned patience and the value of getting things done differently. Sometimes things just don't go as planned, and that is an opportunity to grow.

More than ever, I am looking forward to talking to and seeing each member of our lab family. I look forward to the days when we can trade stories about how we weathered 2020 and what we will do differently next time. Because if nothing else, as bright, talented lab professionals, we know this is not the last storm we will weather together.

As President of the CSMLS, I understood that our members were experiencing uncertainty, crushing workloads and dangerous burnout. Our role as your professional association was to arm you with the tools and resources you needed to do your work to the best of your ability. Our collective focus was on you.

I'm proud to say that the Board and staff at the CSMLS were quick to adapt and create new goals and strategies specific to our members' needs. We moved to virtual platforms to deliver exceptional education when in-person learning wasn't possible. We used technology to carry out our Board responsibilities to ensure the stability and governance of the society remained. This meant lots of Zoom meetings and our first-ever virtual Annual General Meeting. We fast-tracked services, such as Remote Proctored Testing (RPT) for the certification exams, and increased exam dates to ensure the flow of new professionals to the workforce.

Considering the massive adjustments and challenges of the year, the financial health of the CSMLS remained intact. Please review the Financial Summary included in this Annual Report.

While 2020 was not the year any of us envisioned, I believe we grew and developed in a way we never thought possible. I'm so proud of our members and your tireless work on the frontlines of this pandemic. When I think about the future, there is still much uncertainty. However, this experience has taught us that, no matter what happens, we can rise above and remain strong and proud. The lab never stops, and neither will we. The CSMLS will be here to support you in all that you do.