Diverse Health Hub

04/01/2026

Meet Ryan Tom, MS MLS ASCPcm, a Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) Resident with a strong commitment to leadership, service, and advancing the laboratory profession.

He built his academic path through degrees in general science and medical laboratory science, followed by a master’s in clinical laboratory science. Today, he is continuing that path as a DCLS Resident, further deepening his expertise and impact in the field.

Ryan is actively involved in professional organizations including ASCLS, ASCP, ASM, and AABB. He previously served as Chair of the ASCLS Diversity Advocacy Council and continues to contribute to mentorship and committee work focused on strengthening the laboratory workforce and advancing equity in healthcare.

Ryan's work reflects a clear commitment to education, advocacy, and helping translate complex diagnostic information into more accessible, patient-centered understanding.

Learn more about Ryan here: [https://diagnosticequity.org/pro-hub/ryan-j-tom]

03/25/2026

A man was hospitalized after developing severe toxicity, after following dietary advice from an AI chatbot.

He was trying to make a healthier choice.
But without guidance from a healthcare professional, things went dangerously wrong.
This is an important reminder:

👉 Not all health advice is one-size-fits-all
👉 Quick answers aren’t always safe answers
👉 And AI should never replace medical expertise

If you’re making changes to your diet, medications, or supplements, it’s always worth checking with a trusted healthcare provider.
Because understanding matters just as much as information.

Learn more: [https://diagnosticequity.org/]

02/25/2026

“Normal” lab results can vary and those differences influence real clinical decisions.

Dr. Sarah Bergbower, DCLS will explain how reference ranges are built, why variation occurs, and how misinterpretation can lead to missed signals.

March 11 | 12 PM PT / 3 PM ET
Register: https://diagnosticequity.org/programs/

02/11/2026

Ismail Imam is a Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) resident at Rutgers University. With more than a decade of experience across chemistry, hematology, microbiology, and quality management, his work focuses on strengthening diagnostic stewardship and improving interpretation in complex neuroimmunology testing.

Through research on autoimmune encephalitis testing and mentorship within the Rutgers MLS program, Ismail is helping bridge diagnostics, education, and patient-centered care.

Learn more about Ismail here:

https://diagnosticequity.org/pro-hub/ismail-imam

01/28/2026

With more than a decade of multidisciplinary experience in clinical laboratory science, TSU HAYMAR, MS, MLS (ASCP)CM is a dynamic leader advancing diagnostic excellence through innovation, education, and collaboration.

As a Laboratory Supervisor at NYU Langone Health’s Tisch Hospital, Tsu leads laboratory instrument validation and implementation, interprets complex diagnostic results, and supports thoughtful test selection to enhance clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.

Currently pursuing her Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) degree at Rutgers University, Tsu bridges bench science, informatics, and clinical education to strengthen connections between laboratories, clinicians, and patients. Her work is guided by a deep commitment to evidence-based practice, diagnostic stewardship, and improving care through smarter test utilization.

Tsu’s multidisciplinary expertise and passion for patient-centered diagnostics embody the mission of diagnostic equity, ensuring the right test, at the right time, for every patient.

Learn more about Tsu here: [https://diagnosticequity.org/pro-hub/tsu-haymar]

01/21/2026

Meet Mark De Luna, MS-CLS, MLS(ASCP)CM , a laboratory professional with extensive experience across clinical practice, education, and professional leadership.

Mark began his career as a at UF Health Shands Hospital, where he has supported a range of clinical settings and held progressive roles including technical supervision, quality assurance, and emergency department laboratory services.

Alongside his clinical career, Mark pursued advanced training, earning a Master’s in Clinical Laboratory Science and currently completing his Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) residency through Rutgers University at AdventHealth Ocala Hospital.

He has also served as an adjunct instructor, helping educate and mentor the next generation of laboratory professionals.

Mark is actively engaged in the laboratory community through leadership roles with ASCLS, FSCLS, and PAMET-USA, where he supports professional development, workforce growth, and collaboration across the field.

From the bench to leadership and education, Mark’s journey highlights the vital role laboratory professionals play in supporting timely, accurate, and informed patient care.

Learn more about Mark here: https://diagnosticequity.org/pro-hub/mark-de-luna

01/14/2026

Who’s helping bridge the gap between lab results and real-world patient care?

Over the past decade, the Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science role has quietly transformed how diagnostics support patients and care teams, and the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM) has been instrumental in advancing this work.

In a new ADLM article, Demystifying the DCLS Degree, ADLM highlights how DCLS-trained laboratory professionals:

> Work directly with clinicians during clinical rounds
> Help ensure the right test is ordered and properly collected
> Reduce diagnostic errors that delay care
> Translate complex lab data into actionable insight for patients and providers

ADLM has also taken concrete steps to support this emerging role, including forming a DCLS task force to strengthen integration, visibility, and long-term impact across healthcare.

For patients, this means clearer answers and fewer delays. For providers, it means having a lab expert at the point of care. For healthcare systems, it means diagnostics working smarter, not harder.

Read ADLM’s full article here: https://myadlm.org/cln/articles/2026/januaryfebruary/demystifying-the-dcls-degree

01/07/2026

Meet Leanne Beasley, a with over 30 years of experience in , laboratory quality, and accreditation across U.S. Army and federal healthcare systems.

Leanne’s career spans international, combat, and VA healthcare settings, where she has led blood banking operations, strengthened accreditation readiness, and ensured safe patient care. A Specialist in Blood Banking and Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, she brings deep expertise in immunohematology, regulatory compliance, and transfusion safety.

Leanne’s work reflects the critical role laboratory professionals play in delivering accurate diagnostics and protecting patients at every step of care.

Learn more about Leanne here: https://diagnosticequity.org/pro-hub/leanne-beasley

12/25/2025

We’re grateful for the healthcare professionals working today, including the delivering the answers that guide care.

Thank you for showing up and bringing clarity when it matters most.

12/19/2025

Have you ever wondered what happens after your blood is drawn or how lifesaving decisions are made in a hospital?

This fascinating piece from UAB Reporter takes us inside the hidden world of hospital laboratories, the engines behind clinical decisions, trauma care, cancer treatments, and so much more. From the hashtag that dispensed 78,000+ units of blood in FY24 to molecular and cell therapy labs pushing the boundaries of precision medicine, the work happening here is nothing short of extraordinary.

Read “Take a trip inside the hidden world of Hospital Labs” for an eye-opening look at the people and processes saving lives every day:
👉 https://www.uab.edu/reporter/people-of-uab/take-a-trip-inside-the-hidden-world-of-hospital-labs
uab.edu

Take a trip inside the hidden world of Hospital Labs

12/10/2025

Meet Rachel Siddall, M.S., MLS(ASCP)CM, a laboratory professional building impact across microbiology, diagnostic advancement, and professional leadership.

Rachel began her journey in , earning her B.S. from Ferris State University before continuing on to complete her M.S. at Rutgers University. She has worked hands-on in microbiology and laboratory test development with teams at Michigan Medicine and Mayo Clinic, gaining experience that spans both clinical operations and innovation.

Rachel has held roles within state chapters of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, advocating for the profession and supporting fellow laboratory professionals.

Now pursuing her Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science degree at Rutgers University, Rachel continues to bridge science, systems thinking, and patient-centered diagnostics, helping shape where the field is headed next.

12/09/2025

A patient recently submitted this question:

"My platelet count has been hovering around 90 for a year, but this last test it went down to 55. The doctor told me just to monitor for bruising, but does a drop like that usually mean something is changing?"

Here’s a summary of how Eric Walradth, MA, MLS(ASCP)cmSHcm explained it:

> Platelets help your body stop bleeding, so a drop can make bruising or bleeding more likely.

> Sudden changes can happen for reasons other than blood disease, such as recent infections, new medications, nutritional deficiencies, alcohol use, or even platelet clumping in the tube after the blood draw.

> Medical laboratory scientists are trained to detect these issues when reviewing results, but no test tells the full story alone.

> A platelet count is only one piece of your complete blood count (CBC), and interpreting values together gives more clarity than viewing numbers in isolation.

> Follow-up bloodwork helps determine whether the change is temporary or something requiring further evaluation and reporting any new symptoms to your care team matters.

👉 This is in action, numbers matter most when someone helps you understand what they mean.



What lab value confused you recently?