April 24-30, 2022: Medical Laboratory Professionals Week

WHEREAS, the health of all Americans depends upon educated minds and trained hands; and,

WHEREAS, the practice of modern medicine at the standards we now enjoy would be impossible without the scientific tests performed daily in medical laboratories; and,

WHEREAS, these highly trained and dedicated health professionals make an invaluable contribution to quality health care and save countless lives each day by providing reliable laboratory test results required for prevention, detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, which comprise almost 70% of a patient’s medical records; and,

WHEREAS, the diverse employees of the laboratory include pathologists, medical technologists, histologists, cytotechnologists, microbiologists, chemists, other laboratory scientists, medical technicians, laboratory assistants, phlebotomists, medical secretaries and transcriptionists, and laboratory clerical staff who perform their related duties 24 hours per day, every day of the year; and,

WHEREAS, Michigan residents deserve the highest possible health care quality and accountability, and laboratory science practitioners and their peer organizations have a duty to keep the public well-informed about the medical laboratory practice as well as their overall competency; and,

WHEREAS, during the COVID-19 pandemic, medical laboratory professionals played a crucial role in testing and monitoring patients and have worked behind the scenes at every hospital throughout our state to ensure the health and well-being of countless Michiganders; and,

WHEREAS, laboratory medicine is an honorable profession, which should be recognized by all individuals as vital to the high standards of health care enjoyed in Michigan;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 24-30, 2022 as Medical Laboratory Professionals Week in Michigan.