On May 7, the Commission on Laboratory Accreditation (COLA) hosted its second annual summit on the medical laboratory workforce. This event brought together industry stakeholders to evaluate progress since COLA’s inaugural 2023 meeting and establish new priorities for the upcoming year. The results of this meeting are summarized in the Workforce Action Alliance (WAA) Summit Proceedings Document, which offers an overview of the collaborative efforts addressing the critical shortage in the medical laboratory workforce. Key accomplishments highlighted include strengthening data collection to better understand workforce dynamics, communicating clear career pathways for new and transitioning professionals, and identifying future skills and rewards essential for laboratory scientists. The document also explores emerging trends affecting laboratory staffing, such as advancements in automation, artificial intelligence, and the shift towards value-based healthcare models. By reviewing this document, industry professionals and stakeholders can explore key strategies designed to build a skilled and sustainable laboratory science workforce for the future. See the full document
here.
