Medical and Public Health Laboratory Workforce Coalition
Help protect access to high-quality laboratory testing
As was made dramatically clear during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, America’s medical and public health laboratory professionals (experts in performing patient diagnostic and screening tests) are among the unsung heroes of the health care workforce, essential to public health and to the delivery of high-quality patient care. Unfortunately, medical and public health laboratories across the United States are suffering from unprecedented shortages of qualified laboratory professionals.
While laboratory personnel shortages have been a perennial problem, the COVID-19 pandemic imposed unprecedented demand for laboratory testing services, superimposed on the ever-increasing needs of our aging population. The pipeline for new persons entering the medical and public health laboratory workforce is falling far short of current and projected future needs, and targeted outreach is needed to address diversity, equity and inclusion goals.
Core goals of our partnership
Focus on increasing visibility of the laboratory occupations.
Expanding and improving workforce recruitment, development, and retention.
Increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the laboratory.
Coalition Members
