eLABorate Topics

"The stress of a new manager is like a first date. You don't know what to expect and you're just hoping everything goes well" Congratulations, You've been promoted!! There is a ton of excitement that comes with this accomplishment in your career but there are also emotional challenges of the transition that you were unaware of. In the interview, none of the common sources of stress for new manager...

We are experiencing some of the most challenging times in the lab field, in our personal lives, and in so many industries, especially healthcare. Limited staffing, high staff turnover, challenges at home… All these have been going on for some time now. How can we keep going without breaking under this pressure? In this episode Lona Small discussed a unique way that lab leaders and teams can keep t...

In this episode, co-hosts Stephanie Whitehead and Tywauna Wilson talk with Sean McNair, MPH, CT(ASCP) about his professional journey and the themes of resiliency and self awareness that he has experienced throughout his career.     Tune in as Sean details how he has used innovation and flexibility to make an impact in the cytopathology community and the laboratory medicine profession!  Special Gue...

The number of monkeypox cases are rising across the US...How worried should you be about this virus?  How can lab professionals use their voice to advocate for public health safety? In this “Ask the Expert” episode, Stephanie Whitehead talks with Dr. Rodney Rohde, a public health subject matter expert, to answer all your pressing questions about the monkeypox virus. Tune in and learn everything yo...

"Sitting in a workshop listening to two speakers talk about laboratory medicine sparked my interest in the profession"- Dr Tiffany Bratton   Sharing your excitement for the laboratory profession is a great way to promote the career field as in the same way the two clinical chemists did for Dr Bratton. Having the opportunity to build a laboratory from the ground up, with its intimate look at proces...

In this episode of eLABorate Topics podcast hosts Lona Small, Tywauna Wilson, and Stephanie Whitehead had a great roundtable discussion on Training vs. Competency. The podcast hosts discussed: ·       What is training and what is competency ·       Why training and why competency.  ·       Major regulatory requirements for training and competency ·       Ways to have effective training and compete...

In this episode, co-host Stephanie Whitehead talks with Luis Plaza, the creator of the “Let’s Talk Micro” podcast. Luis is a Medical Laboratory Scientist (at AdventHealth) and an adjunct laboratory instructor (at the University of Central Florida) in Orlando.    Tune in to this interesting episode as Luis Plaza discusses his career in the laboratory profession and how is role as an educator and sc...

In this episode Lona Small discusses happiness in the workplace and why it is important for labs to focus on this now as a strategic objective. Lona discussed 10 benefits that are seen as ROI of happiness in the workplace: 1.     Less Conflict in the workplace 2.     Increase creativity and innovation 3.     More likely to collaborate 4.     Enjoy work and connect meaning and purpose 5.     Create...

"Negotiation is not an act of battle; it’s a process of discovery. The goal is to uncover as much information as possible."- Chris Voss  We hear the word negotiation and typically think of the salary offer for a new job or a raise at work. While these are types of negotiations, these aren't the only ones. Believe it or not, we negotiate every day, usually 7-10 times per day. Negotiation in its pur...

Leadership is the ability to motivate and inspire others through influencing, resulting in the right outcomes and impact. In today’s discussion, the eLABorate co-hosts talk to special guest, Tokiwa Smith about how she has used her influence and skills to make a huge impact in her community.   Tune in as Tokiwa details how her SEM Link program works to effectively provide positive STEM role models...

Are you looking for ways to influence the national workforce shortage? Well this episode is just for you!   In today’s episode, co-host Stephanie Whitehead interviews Dr. Diane Banks to discuss the importance of laboratory advocacy to leverage success as a MLT program director. Tune in as Dr. Banks elaborates on her strategies in using her local influence (with industry professionals) to offer mea...

Have you wondered why some leaders seem to thrive and be so fulfilled in their roles, while others are stressed out with migraines, always angry and frustrated, many with deteriorating health? In this episode Lona Small discussed the importance of avoiding the stress and burn-out that many leaders experience. She emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to success as a leader. Lona discuss...

According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, more than two-thirds of people who leave their jobs do so because of an ineffective leader. The study also found that poor leadership was the number one reason employees quit their jobs. Ineffective leaders can have a negative impact on employee morale, productivity, and creativity. As a leader, you have the power to create a positive leadership...

Is it time to budget for new laboratory equipment? Do you need equipment that allows for standardization across multiple locations? Are you looking to increase efficiency and productivity? In today’s exciting episode the co-hosts Lona Small, Stephanie Whitehead, and Tywauna Wilson share tips on strategies for selecting the right laboratory equipment. Key Topics the Co-Hosts Shared in this episode...

Show Highlights: In today’s exciting episode, co-host, Stephanie Whitehead, talks with her mentee, Caroline Henderson, about their mentorship pairing and their experience from the perspectives of  mentor and mentee.   Caroline is a Laboratory Specialist in the Referral Testing department at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  She grew up in West Texas but made her way to the Tarheel state...

In this episode Lona Small spoke with Patty Eschliman, Lab Operations director, Certified Professional Coach and Energy Leadership Master Practitioner, about tools that medical lab professionals can use to combat burnout in these stressful times. Patty Eschliman is a highly engaged leader always looking for opportunities for personal and professional growth. Having worked in the Clinical Laborator...

"It's more than just having a degree....It's having the right strategy to help you position yourself in your career". In this episode, Co-Host Tywauna Wilson, sits down with Trishana Osbourne to discuss her journey as a first-generational college student selecting a career in medical laboratory science. Trishana knew she wanted to impact patient care but she didn't want to directly work with patie...

Are you a Laboratory Team Lead or Coordinator? Do you have responsibility for processes, in your lab section, but not the responsibility for the employees working in your section? Are you leading a lab professional in a middle management role? All laboratory roles are critical to the success of the laboratory however, some roles/titles can come with challenges and role conflict. In today’s excitin...

In this “Ask the Expert” episode, co-host Stephanie Whitehead chats with Dr. Rodney Rohde about the global public health threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Tune as Stephanie and Dr. Rohde discuss ways to help prevent AMR, tips for being an advocate of this cause and much more!   Be sure to check out Dr. Rohde's coauthored explainer article for TIPS-infectioncontrol.tips entitled Antimicrobi...

In this episode Lona Small spoke with Andre Gouws Chief Operating Officer of Power of Process. Andre is a seasoned skills development professional with over 27 years of experience in the learning and development sphere. He is known to inspire, motivate, and develop people to help them achieve their business objectives and career aspirations. He is passionate about laboratories and their role in th...

Staffing shortages are at an all-time high and you want to recruit and retain the next generation of leaders but are struggling with diversity among your team. You don't think it is pay and you are getting applicants, but for some reason, there is still a disconnect. Unconscious biases affect a company or business on every level and can affect some of the most important decisions made. From hiring...

In this episode Lona Small, Stephanie Whitehead and Tywauna Wilson spoke with Dennis Strenk from People of Pathology podcast. This was a roundtable about the podcasters’ experiences podcasting on eLABorate Topics podcast and People of Pathology podcast. The discussions surrounded: ·      What led them to start the podcasts ·      What they learned from podcasting ·      Some of the most memorable...

Do you need to improve your lab's procedures for standard work, reduce “work-arounds” or do you want better results out of your lab’s projects? This episode is a sequel to S2 Ep. 4 "Lean on Me" and is the perfect listen for any leader that wants to work smarter, not harder! Today, co-host, Stephanie Whitehead, and returning special guest, Sarah Cook CLS, LSSBB, continue their conversation about LE...

Zoe Brooks is a dreamer, disruptor, educator, visionary and entrepreneur who has dedicated her life to the development of a better process to manage laboratory quality and thus reduce healthcare costs. If you want to REALLY understand something – teach! She credits her ten years teaching “Clinical Lab Data Interpretation” at UMDNJ/Rutgers with her deep insight into problems and solutions. Zoe love...

All great laboratory leaders have many common traits outside of their technical abilities. Even if you don't have these competencies today, you can develop them over time. When you do, it will take your leadership to the next level regardless of what path you choose to take in the laboratory, on or off the bench. In today's episode, Tywauna Wilson shares 10 critical competencies of great lab leade...