MIAMI – During Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, April 24-30, 2022 the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County recognizes and honors its medical laboratory professionals who play a critical role in every aspect of health care, safeguard the public’s health by continually improving quality and safety, informatics and data science, laboratory preparedness and workforce competencies.

The purpose of this annual event is to increase public awareness on the importance of laboratory professionals and their role in clinical diagnostics and medicine. The exceptional efforts and behind-the-scenes work of laboratories is essential to protecting public health. Nationally recognized Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is a time to show support and gratitude to the laboratory professionals who work tirelessly to ensure the quality and safety of patient care. Today, medical professionals continue to safeguard patient and public health by reducing diagnostic errors and preparing for disease outbreaks and health threats.

“Laboratory professionals are a vital part of the care each of us receives and serve as part of the health care team to guide ongoing treatment and care,” said Yesenia Villalta, DNP, MSN, APRN, Health Officer/Administrator of the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County. “Their commitment to high standards of quality benefits patients, as well as their colleagues on the patient care team.”

Laboratory tests are the most cost-effective, least invasive source of the objective information used in clinical decision-making and drive 75% percent of clinical decisions from diagnosis through therapy and prognosis, according to the College of American Pathologists.

Because of the significant contribution diagnostics provide to delivering the right care to the right patient, laboratories will be key to driving the needed changes to achieve system-wide excellence that improves patient outcomes.

We genuinely believe heroes are among us and applaud their tireless work and commitment to protect public health, the quality and safety of patient care.

During Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, the Florida Department of Health in Miami-Dade County salutes its laboratory professionals’ team.