Currently, I am an Associate Professor in the Medical Laboratory Science program at the University of Alberta. For much of my time, I’m fortunate to teach and be inspired by the next generation of MLTs. I’m also lucky to be able to pursue my research interests, which always involve my favourite topic: the med lab profession. Way back when, I spent about three wonderful years on the bench in histology, core lab and blood bank. But, lest I be completely described by my job, I’m also a gardener, a traveller and a volunteer. My artisan sourdough isn’t quite consistent enough to call myself an amateur baker, but maybe one day I’ll have the confidence to!

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

I’m helping to organize a very exciting project right now. We are exploring how the medical laboratory profession can be engaged in initiatives that address inappropriate use of healthcare resources. For example, how can we support better ordering practices for laboratory tests? We colloquially refer to it as the Choosing Wisely Canada project because one of our main goals is to develop a profession-specific list, but there are other arms to the overall work. One of the most enjoyable parts of this project is chairing an Expert Panel of dedicated MLTs and MLAs from across the country—the ideas they bring forth are truly inspiring

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

I can’t express strongly enough how meaningful it has been to work with the CSMLS. This project would be very diminished without their support. Working with the CSMLS has allowed this project to operate on a much larger scale, which translates in to a wider reach, more applicable results and a greater chance that positive change will happen, which is the wildest dream of any researcher! The CSMLS is so invested in our profession, and it shows in the way they are dedicated to building capacity in their membership. I also must give a special shout-out to Laura Z, who I have had the most direct contact with. She is endlessly generous with her time and research expertise.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

It’s an interesting time to be in the med lab profession and healthcare in general. Awareness is building about the rates that patients get harmed rather than helped, which of course none of us want to see. While the issue is massively complex, at least part of the problem is the prevalence of unnecessary tests, and another part of the problem is the lack of interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare. This points to an important opportunity to highlight the contributions that the med lab profession can make on both of these fronts. I believe that the timing is right for us to assert the value that our profession can add to the important work of keeping our patients safe. Our project is going to help us understand different ways that we can support this effort.

I was born in Syria and grew up in the United Arab Emirates. I started my MLT journey graduating in the US and working for a few years in Alabama before moving back to the Middle East. I have worked in multiple leadership roles in hospital laboratories and the medical software industry. I am fortunate to have lived and worked in multiple cities and visited numerous countries across the globe for business and leisure.

I am an avid weight lifter and a proud husband and father to a beautiful daughter and son. We migrated to Canada in 2013, where we opened a new chapter starting our new comer journey in Ottawa before relocating to Northwest Alberta, where I worked managing small hospital laboratories across rural communities. We are currently living in beautiful Cornwall, Ontario, where I work as a Laboratory Manager with the Eastern Ontario Regional Laboratory Association (EORLA).

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

I am proud to represent EORLA, working with CSMLS as an advisory committee member on the diversity project. We are working on improving opportunities for internationally educated MLTs to integrate into the job market. The project started with a review of an environmental scan of existing diversity tools and we are currently reviewing results from focus groups aimed towards the evaluation and review of different resources that can be made available to the MLT community. It is a very exciting project especially considering the nationwide MLT shortages.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

As a hiring manager, partnering with CSMLS is important to find solutions to ongoing recruitment challenges, considering the shortages in qualified MLTs. All stakeholders need to work together towards addressing those challenges and coming up with feasible solutions.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

The CSMLS Diversity Project and other collaborative initiatives are crucial to address a nationwide problem with the supply and demand of qualified MLTs. Stakeholders from laboratories, certification bodies, provincial regulatory bodies and educational institutions need to work together on finding innovative solutions with a large percentage of MLTs reaching retirement age in the near future.

Hello, I am Bernie Hartung. I have been an MLT since June 1982 and a member of my profession since then also. I have lived in the Owen Sound, Ontario area my whole working career.

I enjoy being in nature; we have 12 acres to enjoy. It is very satisfying to look out our windows to see the wildlife around us.

Throughout my career, I have been on a variety of committees: national, provincially, the hospital and also for my church.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

I volunteer as a member of the Research Ethics Board (REB) for the CSMLS. I was also on this committee for Grey Bruce Health Services.

I also volunteer as a member of the Diversity Advisory Committee (DAC). This committee is looking into developing resource material to assist foreign-trained MLTs to enter the Canadian workforce.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

The CSMLS is the national voice for our profession. I care about the profession and want to do my part to help advance the profession.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

The DAC is looking at ways to help internationally educated medical laboratory technologists (IEMLTs) to receive certification and enter the Canadian workforce.

The REB makes sure all research being conducted, through the CSMLS, will not cause harm to those involved.

My name is Brendan O'Brien, and I am a cytotechnologist working with Eastern Health in St. John's, NL. Since completing a Bachelor of Health Sciences at Dalhousie University in 2016, I've had a keen interest in the medical laboratory sciences and health research. My main area of interest lies within cancer screening. During my time at Dalhousie University, I completed research studies assessing ovarian cancer screening modalities as well as breast cancer risk-reducing surgeries in women with genetic mutations for BRCA 1 and 2. At my current place of work with Eastern Health, I’ve completed research projects assessing gynecological screening and lung biopsy procedures. In addition to these projects, I am also currently assisting in facilitating a Critical Research and Appraisal course at Dalhousie University.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

As a member of the CSMLS, I have had the opportunity to get involved with various projects, serving on the Exam Panel for Diagnostic Cytology, participating on a national graduate panel regarding clinical placement and education and being a member of the Accreditation Taskforce for medical laboratory programs in Canada. I have also partnered with the CSMLS on various research initiatives exploring simulation in medical laboratory education and recently investigating the changing climate of the cytology profession and resource shortages facing laboratories across Canada.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

The CSMLS has supported me in facilitating projects that are personally interesting to me. By engaging with other members, graduates, students, education institutions and stakeholders, we are able to look to the future of the medical laboratory profession. Taking part in these various initiatives enables me to give back to my profession and aid in the evolution and improvement of the medical laboratory sciences.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

In working with the CSMLS, it is my aim to influence positive change within the medical laboratory sciences. Through evaluating current needs and trends in the workforce, investigating simulated learning and working diligently to focus the national exam, we are better able to make improvements in areas like clinical education. It is my hope to continue to work with the CSMLS on various projects to benefit the medical laboratory community as the scope of our profession proceeds to evolve.

My name is Christine Bruce. I have been an evolving senior leader in the Canadian medical laboratory and diagnostics services industry for just over 20 years in both the private and public sector.

Today I am the administrative director for pathology and laboratory medicine at the Grand River and St. Mary's General Hospitals in Kitchener.

I have committed my career to improving patient care by deeply investing in health care workers, and creating great places to work, so that those workers can influence a great patient experience.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

I am partnered with CSMLS as a representative for Grand River and St. Mary's General Hospitals in Kitchener.

I am on the committee that has committed to develop two to three diversity products aimed at meeting the specific needs of MLT workplaces in Ontario. Diversity products in this context may take a variety of forms and include instructional videos, certifications courses, workshop curriculum, tip sheets and human resources checklists.

My role is to participate and collaborate with the other committee members on desired solutions and to support guiding the tools being developed as a key stakeholder and user of the products in my workplace.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

This partnership is important to me and my organization as CSMLS is what I consider to be the key opinion leader for laboratory medicine in Canada. I reference the Society often to be certain I am providing the best guidance for my program in my organization and to gain insight for future planning. It is important to me to be at the table and participate in decision making, and so this partnership is a great platform to reinforce that.

How will your project(S) help the medical laboratory profession?

As the shortage of health human resources loom in lab medicine, I feel that integrating foreign-trained resources into the workplace has become paramount to our sector’s success. This project is vital to both employers and future employees to have a great place to work and to maintain a healthy, thriving workforce.

I joined the Faculty of Health Sciences at Ontario Tech University (formally known as UOIT) in 2006 after many years of clinical experience in both the public and private health care sectors as a medical laboratory technologist. Presently, I am a senior teaching professor and the lead instructor for the clinical microbiology discipline. My professional interests include developing the use of online learning tools for microbiology and simulation-based interprofessional education.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

Recently, CSMLS and Ontario Tech University collaborated in a research project to develop a simulation-based interprofessional education (Sim-IPE) opportunity to improve collaboration and problem-solving among medical laboratory science (MLSc) and nursing students. The project also supported the creation of a new web-based tool to disseminate and promote best practices in experiential learning. Accessed through the CSMLS website and available for public viewing (free), the online database accepts and houses MLSc simulation curricula, including evidence (research or quality assurance results) which support best practice standards. This project was made possible via a Career Ready Grant.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

The dissemination of best practices in MLSc simulation curricula could not have been made possible without the aid of CSMLS. CSMLS has been at the forefront of exploring the use of simulation in MLSc education.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

Interprofessional competencies may be difficult to achieve in the didactic setting without simulated practice. This experiential learning experience offers MLSc and nursing students the opportunity to learn from and about each other prior to entering the workplace. Before this project, no such face-to-face opportunity existed. As the patient safety agenda dictates interprofessional practice for positive patient outcomes, it is essential for educational programs to provide ongoing high fidelity Sim-IPE opportunities within their respective courses.

My name is Ivan Aditya, and I am currently the Cytology Technical Lead in the department of anatomic pathology at Royal Inland Hospital Laboratory, Interior Health in British Columbia. I am a proud member of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). In 2018, I was recognized as an ASCP 40 Under Forty honoree, and I am honored to have received the prestigious award.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

Currently, I am a volunteer for two CSMLS projects. The first one is research on the professional state of cytotechnologists in Canada. The purpose of this study is to acquire qualitative information on the historical, current, and future states of the cytotechnologist profession in Canada as well as the impact it has had/will have on the professionals. This is being done by utilizing semi-structured focus group discussions and recruiting cytotechnologists to provide their opinions to support a collective understanding of the study's objectives. The second project is the Choosing Wisely Canada project in which I am one of the consultants. My role for this project is to provide an opportunity to consult on specific questions that arise from the expert panel, review the constructed recommendations and comments and seek additional insight on specific questions from other experts in the field.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

I very much value my partnership and projects with CSMLS because it is the national certifying body for medical laboratory technologists and assistants. CSMLS is also the national professional society for Canada's medical laboratory professionals. This means that I get to contribute to the profession at a national level, and I am honored to have been given these opportunities.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

My first project will help to understand the current state of the cytology workforce in Canada as well as to address the need for cytotechnologists (Call to Action by the CSMLS has some relevance to this). The Choosing Wisely Canada project will help reduce inappropriate and unnecessary laboratory tests and improve the utilization of medical laboratories.

Hi, everyone. Thank you for taking the time to read my short profile. My name is Jingwei Chen, and I keep telling people I’m a new med lab grad, but do you really count as new if you’ve been working for a year now? Let’s compromise on newish. So I’m a newish grad, a shameless morning person and a CSMLS volunteer.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

I am a proud graduate of the Michener Institute, and its outstanding faculty has always encouraged students to become involved in med lab efforts and organizations. Sometimes you get lucky and an opportunity is posted online, but in my experience, the best thing to do is to take the initiative, reach out yourself and ask if you can help with anything. That is exactly what I did. The first project I helped with is exploring the various changes and strategies that academic programs are piloting to ensure sufficient clinical training in a time of looming medical laboratory personnel shortage. And as you can see, I am also involved in another project as the coordinator (and guinea pig) for this series of CSMLS Volunteer and Partner Highlights.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

Volunteering for CSMLS is my way of supporting our profession. It’s a small contribution to be sure, but I find the time and effort I spend to be personally enriching and meaningful.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

Broadly speaking, I hope my projects make a positive impact on our profession, respectively by sharing knowledge and by recognizing remarkable people. I also not-so-secretly hope that my profile will inspire current and aspiring medical laboratory professionals to get interested and involved beyond pure benchwork!

My name is Julia Acker, and I am a fourth year medical laboratory science student from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. I am very passionate about the work conducted in clinical laboratories and am excited to begin my career as a medical laboratory technologist.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

I am a CSMLS student research volunteer as part of my clinical project for my undergraduate degree. I have had the honour of working alongside Laura Zychla throughout the 2018–2019 school year on a project entitled, “Exploring the Impact of Cannabis Legalization on the Canadian Laboratory.” Data collected for this investigation was obtained via one-on-one interviews with those currently working in a management role within the medical laboratory field in order to determine and track the current changes occurring in the clinical laboratory as a result of cannabis legalization. This experience has been very rewarding as I have been able to work through the entire research process on a very interesting topic; I have learned many new things and respect all the hard work and dedication that goes into research.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

The CSMLS is an amazing organization that helps medical laboratory professionals reach their full potential by advocating for the profession and providing excellent resources for those interested in medical laboratory science. I value everything the CSMLS does in order to promote, maintain and protect the professional identity and interests of medical laboratory professionals. Volunteering for the CSMLS has reinforced how supportive this professional association is for its members and associates.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

Partnering with the CSMLS for this project will have an excellent outcome for those working in the medical laboratory profession. By conducting the current research, the results are anticipated to shed light on how practice has or has not changed since legalization and support CSMLS initiatives to improve the way medical laboratory professionals adapt to future changes.

My name is Lisa Mantifel, and I have been an MLT since 2011. Before that, I got my Hon. Bachelor of Science from the University of Toronto and worked in a diamond grading lab. I started my MLT career with LifeLabs, eventually ending up working in chemistry, microbiology and, my favourite, a stat core lab within an urgent care clinic in Ottawa. I moved “off the bench” in 2015, beginning this portion of my career at the Ontario Regional Blood Coordinating Network. Currently I am an Anonymizing Data Analyst in clinical trial transparency and am also completing my Graduate Certificate in Clinical Research at The Michener Institute.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

I was introduced to Laura Zychla (Researcher, CSMLS) by Christine Nielson at LABCON2018. I jumped at the chance to gain research experience by volunteering as a research investigator with the CSMLS. I have worked on Ethics on Demand, which is a series of articles that examine ethical dilemmas in health care that we may experience or witness in our profession. I also assist in study protocol development and environmental scans.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

I value my partnership and projects with the CSMLS because volunteering is my way of saying thank you to the CSMLS for going beyond acting as a certifying body for us MLTs and MLAs in Canada. Being not-for-profit, it is a way I can support the CSMLS in advocating and advancing the medical laboratory profession.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

Ethics on Demand is a series of downloadable articles that can be used to foster discussions among MLPs on ethical dilemmas and provide a conduit to review the CSMLS Code of Ethics and CSMLS Code of Professional Conduct. Other projects I have been involved with assess the availability of preceptor training for medical laboratory science clinical placements in Canada. This is important as every student accepted to an MLT program must be guaranteed a clinical placement as part of the program, and each site must have a preceptor to coordinate the student placement.

I have been fortunate to have a career that I have always been passionate about and it has always included medical laboratory technology in one way or another. After graduation, I was fortunate to get a position at Hamilton General Hospital, working primarily in clinical chemistry with involvement in clinical student training. It was this interest in students that led me to take a leap from my full-time technologist position to a temporary position in the Mohawk College med lab program. That position changed and instead of a temporary stay, I remained at Mohawk until my retirement. However, my career was anything but static. The med lab program closed at Mohawk, but I was able to connect with my med lab roots by moving to continuing education. It was in this final position that I was able to have the amazing experience of working with a fantastic team to design and deliver Mohawk’s Bridging Program for Medical Laboratory Technology. It was humbling to help internationally educated technologists achieve their goals of certification in Canada. The continuing education role also allowed me to work with medical laboratory technicians and gain better insight into their needs and perspectives. I feel very fortunate to have been part of this profession and to have had so many rich experiences.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

While working in continuing education, I enjoyed an ongoing collaboration with CSMLS. CSMLS supported our programs by coming to speak to our students to offer advice and information on topics related to certification and exam preparation. I turned to them for guidance to ensure that education requirements were being met for internationally educated medical laboratory technologists. I consulted with them in regards to certification for medical laboratory technicians. I also volunteered on several CSMLS advisory committees that were involved with projects relating primarily to internationally educated technologists.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

I continue to serve on advisory committees with CSMLS that are primarily related to internationally educated medical laboratory technologists. I value being part of these committees since it still gives me an opportunity to work with other professionals in the field. This allows me to stay active in my profession and provides me opportunities to learn and grow.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

I feel that my personal and professional experiences can provide insight to the advisory committees that I am part of. These advisory committees, in turn, try to provide support for projects that try to find solutions to challenges faced by medical laboratory technologists from outside of Canada.

I am Oliver (Xiaoquan) Li, currently working in the department of microbiology at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. I became a CSMLS certified MLT four years ago and am taking every opportunity to contribute to the medical lab community and help people on their MLT pathways.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

I am partnering with CSMLS as a volunteer on a 24-month CSMLS Diversity Training Project from the perspective of an internationally educated MLT. This project is funded by the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration, with the goal to develop two or three diversity products to meet the specific needs of three groups of people in the MLT community. As one of the working group members of the advisory committee, I provide ongoing guidance, input and support to the project. As an MLT educated outside of Canada, I am able to provide input into the form and content of the diversity products, assist in personnel recruitment and methodology used and review survey and other evaluation materials in the preliminary and pilot phases of the project.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

As Confucius said, “Walking along with three people, my teacher is sure to be among them.” Through partnership and projects with CSMLS, I have the wonderful chance of learning from everyone I am partnering with. Also, I am building up my network and connecting with other lab persons and my peers in this field.

How will your project(S) help the medical laboratory profession?

I successfully became a CSMLS certified MLT in Canada in 2015. I could not have embarked on my lab journey so soon in Canada without the great help from CSMLS. I would like to be involved more and contribute more through partnering with CSMLS to help more lab professionals on their pathways to professional success.

My name is Tamara Chambers-Richards, and I currently work as Academic Chair of Medical Diagnostics at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. I am an MLT with a passion for advancing the visibility of my profession as an important partner of health care teams. This has led me along many paths, one of which is being a researcher and lifelong learner.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

I am currently partnering with CSMLS as a researcher at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. Our most recent partnership is submitting a joint application for an Aboriginal Language Grant. This would be an exciting opportunity to curate and translate laboratory testing content to three common Indigenous languages, allowing for engagement with and empowerment of Indigenous groups toward health care stewardship.

The CSMLS also participated in a recently concluded research project that evaluated experience of internationally educated MLTs and methods for bridging gaps for employment to meet MLT shortages in Saskatchewan.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

Partnering with CSMLS is important to me as we share a common purpose. I believe that my own purpose as an educational leader matches that of CSMLS – to “promote and maintain a nationally accepted standard of medical laboratory technology by which other health professionals and the public are assured of effective and economical laboratory services, and to promote, maintain and protect the professional identity and interests of the medical laboratory professional and of the profession.” Our partnership is mutually beneficial as together we can reach the common objective of ensuring that laboratory professionals of the highest caliber are part of a viable and engaged health system.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

Partnering with CSMLS on health services research is important as this provides valid information for program and systems planning, ultimately meeting a profound need for a diversified, expanded pool of qualified MLTs to fill employment shortages. Additionally, our partnership is beneficial as it provides an avenue for research mentorship for upcoming laboratory technologists and their educators.

I am a faculty member in the Medical Laboratory Science program at the University of Alberta. I am passionate about education as well as the advancement and promotion of the medical laboratory profession. Medical laboratory professionals play a key role in the provision of health services, despite being largely unknown to the general public and even other health professionals. I believe one of the most important ways to change this is to volunteer and engage with professional bodies, such as the CSMLS.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

As a representative of the University of Alberta, I have partnered with the CSMLS to work together on a Choosing Wisely Canada project. The collaboration aims to explore the medical laboratory profession’s participation in initiatives to reduce unnecessary laboratory testing and procedures. We hope to engage with experts in the field to develop a top-five list of unnecessary tests or procedures to help guide the practice of medical laboratory professionals and other health professionals involved in the laboratory testing process. We also hope to learn more about medical laboratory professionals’ awareness and engagement with Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

The CSMLS represents the voice of the profession on a national level. It is an honour to partner with the CSMLS to be a part of its mission to advance the medical laboratory profession. I know that the value I place in my partnership with the organization goes both ways, as I have felt supported and empowered by the CSMLS in the work we have accomplished so far. We are building momentum and starting to see the fruits of our labour, which only motivates us to continue our work. I am inspired by the medical laboratory professionals that have joined our project and look forward to making further connections with like-minded individuals across the country, which would not be possible without the support of the CSMLS.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

I believe our project will enable the long-overdue involvement of medical laboratory professionals in the conversation around appropriate laboratory utilization. The fact that medical laboratory professionals are impacted by a large proportion of Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations yet have not added their voice to this initiative is something we are seeking to change. At the same time, we are having rich discussions around scope of practice, the laboratory’s role in stewardship of resources and our ethical duty to prevent patient harm. These are conversations that laboratory professionals need to be having in their place of work, and we hope our project is just the beginning.

I am a practicing medical laboratory technologist, Allied Health Sciences educator and current student at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT). I am taking my Allied Health Sciences degree, planning to graduate in the summer of 2019. I am an avid volunteer for my profession, whether it be professional advocacy or with my regulatory body. I enjoy being involved in all aspects of my profession and particularly enjoy sharing my knowledge with my students, colleagues and mature learners.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

I am a research practicum student from UOIT. I was honoured to be chosen by UOIT and CSMLS to partner in a research project exploring precarious careers for medical laboratory assistants (MLAs) in Canada. The 2018 data from the annual CSMLS post-certification employment survey, combined with peer-reviewed data linking precarious working conditions and negative health outcomes, indicate that Canadian MLAs are likely experiencing negative effects from precarious employment. In order to confirm this hypothesis, we are conducting a mixed research study, using qualitative focus groups and a quantitative online survey, to determine if any job precarity exists and if those in precarious positions are showing any negative effects from it.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

Being able to learn about research methods with a CSMLS project specifically developed for the medical laboratory sciences helped me relate to my profession on a higher level. The partnership gave me a strong motivation to find meaningful research connections that can be used to help all medical laboratory professionals across Canada. It was also an important avenue for allowing me to develop my research confidence and illustrate my adaptability and dependability, while tapping into my professional creativity.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

This project has the potential to be an ongoing contribution to overall health and well-being for all medical laboratory professionals. By exploring the current precarious employment conditions for CSMLS members (and non-members where possible), important connections to the emotional, mental and overall health impacts can be used to identify opportunities to improve workplace environments that address employment precarity. The project data collected on workplace aspects that positively influence the workplace environment may help guide employers in decreasing the negative effects of job precarity overall.

My name is Maria Roussakis, and I am a bit new to the medical laboratory profession, having graduated in 2016 from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. I work as a medical laboratory technologist within the chemistry, hematology and transfusion medicine laboratories. I am also in the process of completing a MSc in Health Science Education at McMaster University. When I am not working or doing course work, I enjoy spending time with my hedgehog Lucie!

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

Previously with CSMLS, I have served as a volunteer on their Exam Panel as well as the Angoff Panel in setting the passing grade for the certification exams. Currently, I am serving on the Choosing Wisely Medical Laboratory Professional Panel as an Invited Guest since I am an emerging health professional. In this role, I am contributing to the Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations that will be set for laboratory professionals. Throughout this process in creating Choosing Wisely Canada recommendations, I have met with other panel members and brainstormed areas in which these recommendations could be of use.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

I am very thankful to be part of such a project with CSMLS, considering I am very new to the medical laboratory profession. By taking part in this project, I have had the opportunity to learn about different practices occurring throughout Canada as well as various struggles that certain areas face.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

By taking a part in creating a Choosing Wisely Canada recommendation list for laboratory professionals, the medical laboratory profession in Canada will be following the same standards as other healthcare professions, adopting the reduction of unnecessary testing, treatments and procedures. With a set of recommendations in place, laboratories across Canada will have a standard to uphold and ensure inappropriate wastage is reduced.

I have been involved in education for more than 20 years as an educator, a practicacoordinator and, currently, as a manager of allied health programs at Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary, Alberta. My passion for education led me to completing my Masters in Education. I enjoy meeting people through volunteering on provincial or national committees. In my spare time, I enjoy photography, curling and traveling with my husband.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

My background as a practicacoordinator and a chair for a research ethics boardled me to participating in CSMLS initiatives and discussions on education, research projects, accreditation and simulation. I am a participant on the CSMLS Educator Committee, and I enjoy working with a diverse group of educators across Canada in looking for ways to improve education, competency profiles or using simulation.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

Working with CSMLS allows for sharing of ideas on research, preceptor education or simulation. This is an amazing way to hear how others across Canada are managing challenges faced in education for medical laboratory assistant and technology professions. Working with others who have a passion for improving education is very rewarding, and CSMLS is offering a venue for discussions, webinars and groups to get together.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

I believe in volunteering and participating in making changes through collaboration. The more involvement we have from across Canada from representatives from the lab profession, such as educators, students, employers and professionals,the more we will make the learning environment better and, ultimately, a more successful graduate and professional. We are currently sharing best practices on how to support preceptors through education or uses of simulation in education as an effective learning environment.

I am an Associate Professor in Laboratory Medicine & Pathology, the University of Alberta Director of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program and a proud 25-plus year member of CSMLS. Education is lifelong for health professionals, and I’m proud to be a part of the foundational knowledge at the beginning of this journey. Within the division of MLS and the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry, one of my concerns is student mental wellness and resiliency.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

The University of Alberta has been involved with the Simulation & Clinical Placement Initiative since it began in 2016. Recognizing a gap in the academic literature on simulation research in a medical laboratory professional context, the University of Alberta has undertaken a three-year research project to implement simulation initiatives in our program and evaluate the effectiveness of simulation as an enhancement to student assessment and clinical training. This work is supported by a University of Alberta Teaching and Learning Enhancement Grant and Alberta Public Labs.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

As the national organization, CSMLS’s input and perspective on issues facing all medical laboratory professionals is very valuable. I’m honoured to partner with an organization that continues to find innovative and creative ways to advance the clinical laboratory!

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

Simulation has been proven to be effective in the assessment of clinical skill development. There is an opportunity to potentially decrease clinical training time if we implement robust, high-fidelity simulations that allow students to develop clinical judgement. The goal is sharing simulation tools across the CSMLS research network to increase capacity of all education programs.

I am currently the Transfusion Safety Manager for Southern Saskatchewan, a position I have held for the last six years. My career has mostly centered on transfusion medicine, which I have always found to be so rewarding. Serological investigations are the best! I have always said figuring out a complex antibody or antibodies is comparable to a good murder mystery. Transfusion medicine technologists are the Nancy Drews of the lab.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

I am currently a member of the expert panel for the medical laboratory professionals Choosing Wisely Canada project. This is a joint project with the CSMLS and the University of Alberta.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

I am excited to be a part of this project. Choosing Wisely Canada is a respected campaign, which develops lists of specialty-specific recommendations. To be a part of this project as a medical laboratory professional is such an honour. The project will create specific medical laboratory professional CWC recommendations that will reduce tests, processes and procedures that medical laboratory professionals are performing that might contribute to overuse, misdirected effort or even patient harm. I believe this is a highly worthwhile project to be a part of!

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

Medical laboratory professionals are the hidden profession found in the laboratory. We are professionals with knowledge and experience to share and contribute to the safety and care of our patients. This project is an opportunity to both contribute to best practices in patient care and to promote our profession.

Hi. I am a general MLT who has been working in the profession for over 15 years. I love to read, learn new things (currently doing my degree) and spend time with my niece.

What is your involvement with the CSMLS Research and Special Initiatives Department?

I have been given many opportunities to volunteer with the CSMLS over the years but am currently on the Exam Panel, Scientific & Education Review Committee, Angoff, item writing and, most recently, as part of the diversity project and Choosing Wisely Canada.

Why do you value your partnership and project(s) with CSMLS?

CSMLS continues to be the leader and voice of lab professionals in Canada and a valued presence worldwide.

How will your project(s) help the medical laboratory profession?

The diversity project is working to provide educational opportunities to enhance our relationships and provide great foundations with those professionals that have originally trained outside of Canada.

The Choosing Wisely project is working to provide resources and recommendations to improve patient safety while ensuring that the testing provided allows for treatment and diagnosis.