As we at Talking Laboratories reflect on the future of the laboratory industry and its potential to drive change, one question consistently stands out: How can one individual become a catalyst for transformation? More importantly, how can we collectively create lasting change that shapes the future of our profession?

The challenge lies in understanding what will ignite a movement among laboratory professionals. Throughout history, we've seen how collective passion and advocacy can propel entire industries forward. Medical professionals such as doctors and nurses have built strong advocacy networks that yield considerable influence. Now, it's time for the laboratory profession to rise to the occasion. We can no longer remain passive; we must build a robust, unified advocacy coalition to rival that of our healthcare colleagues. We must engage both new professionals entering the field and seasoned laboratorians, rallying them to join the cause and make a meaningful difference.

Advocacy: The Spark for Change

The question is no longer whether we can make a difference, but how can we create a movement that truly transforms the laboratory profession. So, how do we transition from isolated moments of advocacy to a full-fledged movement? The answer lies in collaboration—within our organizations, within our communities, and across the broader healthcare landscape.

Internal Advocacy: Amplifying Our Impact Within

1.     Promote the Laboratory Across All Levels: Break down departmental silos. Advocate the laboratory’s essential role in patient care within your own team and across your organization.

2.     Participate in Cross-Departmental Projects: Get involved in initiatives that showcase laboratory professionals' expertise and critical contributions. The more visibility we have, the more our impact will be recognized.

3.     Utilize Organizational Channels to Advocate: Write articles, share success stories, and contribute to your laboratory organization's newsletters, social media, and websites. Use these platforms to highlight the laboratory’s crucial role in patient outcomes.

4.     Encourage Professional Development and External Engagement: Urge colleagues and management to join professional organizations that champion laboratory advocacy. Participation in these groups strengthens our collective voice.

External Advocacy: Expanding Our Influence Beyond Organizational Walls

1.     Engage with Professional Organizations: Join and actively participate in organizations like ASCLS, ASCP, ACLA, and NILA. These associations provide platforms for advocacy through political action committees, forums, and opportunities to lobby in Washington, D.C., on key laboratory issues.

2.     Leverage Leadership and Social Media Platforms: Advocate for the laboratory profession by engaging in leadership forums and promoting laboratory initiatives through social media. Public engagement amplifies our impact and spreads awareness beyond our immediate circle.

3.     Stay Informed on Legislative Issues: Be well-versed in the laboratory industry’s legislative agenda. Understand the key issues and be ready to advocate on behalf of the profession when it matters most.

4.    Contact Legislators and Decision-Makers: Many professional organizations offer easy-to-use tools for contacting your state representatives. Take advantage of these resources to make your voice heard in legislative matters that affect the laboratory profession.

5.     Share Your Advocacy Moments: Encourage colleagues to join the movement by sharing your advocacy efforts. Whether it’s a conversation with a policymaker or a community outreach event, every act of advocacy can inspire others to get involved.

The Power of Advocacy Moments

Advocacy is not just about grand gestures; it’s about the small, everyday moments that collectively build momentum. When we engage with others—inside and outside our organizations—we form meaningful relationships that strengthen our advocacy efforts and spark positive change. But this movement requires more voices: more individuals willing to speak out and be heard.

Be Ready with Your Elevator Speech

Opportunities to advocate for the laboratory profession often arise unexpectedly. Whether you're meeting with an influential decision-maker or simply explaining your role to a family member, these moments provide a chance to educate others on the importance of the laboratory in patient care.

Prepare your elevator speech—a concise, 60-second summary of the value laboratorians bring to healthcare. Highlight how laboratory results drive critical medical decisions and how the work of laboratory professionals supports accurate, timely patient treatment. These impromptu moments offer a platform to showcase your passion for the profession and help others understand how essential laboratorians are to healthcare.

While your message may vary depending on the audience, the key is to be authentic. Advocacy is most effective when it comes from the heart. Change, after all, is incremental, and we must be ready to share our message at every opportunity

Let’s Make Change Together

I invite you to join me on this advocacy journey. By coming together, we can amplify our voices and turn moments of advocacy into a powerful movement. Through sustained engagement with decision-makers, lawmakers, and our broader communities, we can raise awareness of the laboratory profession and build the connections necessary to reshape our healthcare system for the better.

Now is the time to advocate for the future of clinical laboratories. Let’s inspire each other to create lasting changes that benefits our profession and the patients we serve. Will you join us in this effort to drive advocacy and make a meaningful impact?

Together, we can build a stronger, more united laboratory community that stands as a force for positive change in healthcare.