2025 was a pivotal year in the history of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS). As we closed our final full year of delivering the national MLT certification examination, an entry-to-practice milestone that shaped the profession for decades, we also took an important step forward by launching a bold new strategic plan designed to guide CSMLS into its next era.

In many ways, 2025 was not a year of endings. It was a year of intentional evolution and new beginnings.

For decades, the CSMLS MLT certification exam served as a hallmark of professional excellence, helping ensure Canadians receive care from qualified, competent medical laboratory technologists. The tens of thousands of professionals certified through this program represent a lasting contribution to the strength and quality of Canada’s health care systems. It’s something we can all be proud of.

While some things are changing, our commitment to high standards remains undeterred. CSMLS will continue to offer the MLT certification examination for General MLT candidates in Alberta, and we have growing demand for CSMLS MLA certification across the country. As provinces such as Nova Scotia move toward regulating medical laboratory assistants, the rigour and reputation of our national exam is recognized and sought after.

With our new strategic plan well underway, we are solidifying CSMLS’ position as the national home for medical laboratory professionals at every stage of their careers.

Our focus moving forward is clear: helping our members grow, succeed, and lead within a rapidly evolving health care environment. Whether someone is just entering the profession, enhancing their expertise, or stepping into leadership, CSMLS aims to be the central place they turn to for resources, connections, and opportunities.

This means expanding professional and career development opportunities, fostering a stronger community where medical laboratory professionals can find inspiration, mentorship, and support beyond the walls of their own laboratories.  

The health care system is changing. Workforce pressures, technological advances, and new expectations are reshaping how laboratory professionals work and grow. Our strategic plan ensures CSMLS is not simply responding to these changes—we are preparing our members to navigate that change, and beyond that, to thrive and help design what comes next.

Transitions like ours invite reflection, but they also create opportunities for new momentum. The conclusion of one long-standing certification program allows us to focus our energy on building new value for our members. The CSMLS Board and Leadership Team have been excellent stewards of our resources, and we are prepared to meet the new challenges head on, with enthusiasm and optimism.

CSMLS is entering this next chapter with confidence and dedication to the people we serve.

To our members, partners, volunteers, and staff: thank you for your trust and engagement during this important period of transformation. The future of the profession will be shaped by the strength of our community—and CSMLS is proud to be at the center of it.

The latter half of 2025 marked a pivotal and transformative period for CSMLS. After considerable planning and engagement with members over the previous year, we transitioned from development to decisive action, bringing our new strategic plan to life. This shift signalled not only a change in direction but a renewed sense of purpose and momentum across the organization.

With implementation underway, the Board and leadership team moved quickly to address high-priority initiatives. These included: exploring new and meaningful partnerships, conducting a thorough review of all existing programs to ensure strong alignment with our strategic objectives, and advancing the modernization of our systems and infrastructure. Throughout this work, we have remained committed to keeping members at the centre of everything we do. Every decision has been guided by the goal of delivering greater value, relevance, and impact for the medical laboratory professionals we serve.

At the governance level, the Board also turned its focus inward. Recognizing the importance of strong, forward-looking leadership, we undertook a thoughtful assessment of our collective knowledge, skills, and perspectives. This work has informed our ongoing efforts to build a more diverse and dynamic Board, one that reflects a broad range of ideas, experiences, and expertise. As we planned the next recruitment cycle, we did so with intention and clarity about the capabilities required to lead CSMLS into the future.

These efforts are the result of years of dedication and careful planning. I am deeply proud of the commitment demonstrated by my fellow Board members to strengthen governance, enhance productivity, and ensure that our decisions genuinely reflect the voices and needs of our membership. This evolution positions us to better represent and advocate for the profession at a national level.

I am looking ahead at 2026 and beyond with optimism and confidence. The changes we have embraced are not only necessary but also foundational to ensuring that CSMLS continues to serve as the national home of all medical laboratory professionals. Together, we are building a stronger, more agile organization, ready to meet the challenges and opportunities of the future.