Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) professionals are integral to the health care team by providing crucial laboratory analyses and data that underpin approximately 70% of medical decisions, diagnoses, treatments, and evaluations.
Unfortunately, like many other health professions across the country, the MLS field is reaching a crisis point due to a significant workforce shortage. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects a 19% increase in demand for medical and clinical laboratory professionals between 2016 and 2030, underscoring the critical need for these professionals.
As the state’s only accredited 4-year baccalaureate degree program, our MLS program is expanding its pool of candidates and enrollment through a federally-funded pathways program that provides scholarships to disadvantaged students to help address Minnesota’s workforce needs. Our program also stands out due to the high demand for our graduates, who boast a 99% employment rate within six months of graduation.
As the experts in medical laboratory testing, MLS professionals work tirelessly to provide high quality laboratory results that are fundamental to patient-centered care. Their contributions enable clinicians and other health care professionals to make informed diagnostic and therapeutic decisions.
Together, let’s champion the indispensable contributions of our MLS colleagues and strive towards our collective goal of world-class academic health.
Driving Innovation & Discovery
Minnesota Geriatrics ECHO Offers Virtual Community to Share Best Practices, Improve Quality of Life and Operational Outcomes for Minnesota’s Older Adults
The Minnesota Geriatrics ECHO was formed in 2020 to address the pandemic’s impact on nursing homes in Minnesota and the region. Originally called the Upper Midwest Nursing Home COVID-19 ECHO Collaborative, the Minnesota Geriatrics ECHO has evolved to serve a diverse mix of clinical and operational leadership from Minnesota’s aging services field. The Minnesota Geriatrics ECHO is one of four University of Minnesota-led Project ECHOs.
Symposium on Viruses and Cancer
Join the Masonic Cancer Center and the Institute for Molecular Virology for a symposium on June 13 highlighting current research in cancer virology, cancer prevention and control, virus-mediated cancer therapy, and research by early-stage investigators. Register by June 6.
Call For Abstracts: Advances in Learning Health System Sciences Conference
The Center for Learning Health System Sciences is now accepting abstract submissions until June 14. Abstracts can be on any topic that may be of interest to the learning health sciences community. Accepted abstracts will be invited to display a poster or give a presentation in the form of a spotlight session.
New Opportunities for Early Career Cancer Research
Learn more about opportunities for researchers, students, staff, and early career researchers who are focused on cancer disparities and who are under-represented by race, ethnicity, disability, and rural, economic, or first-generation college backgrounds. Book an appointment to get connected with National Cancer Institute (NCI) opportunities, funding for cancer disparities research to existing NCI grants, K awards, R01 grant preparation support, and supplements to work on existing NIH grants with mentorship.
C2DREAM Pilot Grant Program Now Accepting Applications
The NIMHD-funded Center for Chronic Disease Reduction and Equity Promotion Across Minnesota (C2DREAM) is now accepting applications for Cycle 4 of their Pilot Grant Program. This program supports post-doctoral fellows and early-stage investigators addressing health disparities in cardiovascular disease and related chronic conditions in Minnesota communities. LOIs due July 8.
Advancing Interprofessional Education & Training
Training Future Simulation Leaders at M Simulation
Lauren Weaver, MD, a fourth-year general surgery resident, is M Simulation’s newest surgical simulation fellow. She has been working to develop de-escalation techniques for patients and a simulation-patient-based curriculum that can be used to train medical professionals.
Fogarty Fellowship Applications Now Open
The Fogarty Fellowship is a prestigious training program funded by the National Institutes of Health that offers a year of mentored research training to postdoctoral trainees and doctoral students. The Fellowship is designed for motivated trainees who want to begin a career in research, and offers training and support to ensure program participants are ready to contribute to meaningful global health work in the future.
Be a Featured Guest Health Professional for IPE Sessions
The Center for Interprofessional Health invites practicing health professionals to share their perspectives and expertise on collaborative practice with two interprofessional student groups during the Better Together fall series. This event brings together over 1,300 students from 19 health professional programs to introduce them to the principles of working collaboratively. Apply by July 10.
Check Out Collaboration Insights: A Health Professions Blog for Effective Collaboration
This student-led health professions blog is a hub for information on interprofessional education and collaboration. In the latest entry, Master of Public Health student Kaylee Lammers and Medical Student Nick Tomhave discuss how they used Findhelp as a tool to facilitate community efforts to reduce food insecurity and how effective communication can mitigate conflict in teams.
Partnering with Communities
Meet the Trailblazers: Announcing the 2024-25 Project REACH Cohort
Six community leaders from rural Minnesota have been selected as the next cohort for Project REACH (Rural Experts Advancing Community Health). This group is poised to address critical health equity issues and improve access to essential health services across Minnesota’s diverse rural communities.
Volunteer as a Community Teacher for Health Science Students
The Center for Interprofessional Health seeks volunteers to serve as Community Teachers for the upcoming academic year. Community Teachers enrich the learning experience of health professions students by sharing their first-hand experiences of managing their chronic condition(s) within the health care system.
U-Wide Events and Opportunities
We Are the Noise: The Echoes of our Ancestors Juneteenth Celebration
The U of M hosts its third annual Juneteenth Celebration block party and commemorative march in north Minneapolis on June 15. This free event features Black vendors, speakers, workshops, a fashion show, storytellers, a drumline, free food and haircuts, art-making, a bouncy house, a petting zoo, and more.
Age-Friendly University Day
The School of Public Health hosts the Age-Friendly University Day for retirees, older Minnesotans, and lifelong learners on June 24. This event includes breakfast, a keynote presentation followed by a panel discussion with local experts on aging and social connections, breakout sessions, exhibit booths, and lunch.
Other News
