National Laboratory Professionals Week is April 20-25, 2014—and this year during the same week is Earth Day, on April 22, 2014. That is an interesting combination of things we should take time to contemplate—what does Earth Day have to do with laboratory medicine? Or vice versa?
Well, a number of things come to mind:
- As laboratory professionals, we are committed and dedicated to being part of the healthcare team that discovers and cures peoples’ health and promotes well-being.
- Laboratory professionals are also committed to using supplies efficiently and effectively, saving costs, and using/disposing of hazardous materials safely which parallels a strong commitment to our environment.
- The health and well-being of the planet is directly proportional to the health and well-being of the inhabitants of the planet.
It seems to me there is a directly proportional relationship here; and a link to our present and future state, as we pursue health for both the people of the world and the planet we all occupy.
Laboratory professionals the world over act locally to take care of the patients who are our neighbors and friends and family in our communities…and we think globally to support the needs and resources and collegial relationships that take care of the patients and neighbors and friends on our planet. What better combination to celebrate, support and call world-wide attention to than National Laboratory Professionals Week and Earth Day? If your laboratory is doing something special that illustrates “thinking globally, acting locally,” please send me a note about your Lab Week Celebration Activities at bsumwalt@pacbell.net . I would love to consolidate and share those ideas!
Wishing everyone in the field and industry of Laboratory Medicine a great Lab Week—both locally, and globally!
–Beverly Sumwalt, MA, DLM, CLS, MT(ASCP) is an ASCP Global Outreach Volunteer Consultant.
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