eLABorate Topics

In this episode co-host, Stephanie Whitehead, discusses solutions to the laboratory national workforce shortage with Jim Payne and Dana Powell Baker. Tune in as they discuss how current laboratory professionals can engage with local high schools and clinical laboratory programs to impactful and increase the laboratory workforce! Be sure to share this episode with a high school or CLS student in yo...

Lona Gordon Small, MBA, MT (ASCP) sat down to talk with Meredith Hurston, MHA, MT (ASCP) about her experience in a corporate mentorship program, and the take-aways that could help medical labs and medical lab professionals adopt mentorship. Meredith is a native of Flint, Michigan, currently residing in Baltimore, Maryland. She is a medical laboratory scientist by trade who also nurtures her entrep...

Co-Hosts Tywauna Wilson, Lona Small, and Stephanie Whitehead discuss lab preparation for the new lab modified CAP inspection process.   Key Takeaways from the show: Currently, CAP has a modified inspection process that consists of two routes: Hybrid Inspection: The hybrid inspection consists of a remote document review followed by an on-site inspection focused on the direct observation portion of...

Navigating complicated workplace scenarios and managing people can be difficult! Tune into this entertaining episode as returning special guests, Kristine Talamante and Joycelyn Jones, join co-host Stephanie Whitehead to review some complicated work place scenarios and debate how they would handle each situation. You’re sure to be entertained and while getting some great advice! Be sure to comment...

Lona Small sat down and talked with Michael Camp, Lab Information System Manager. Michael A. Camp is a Laboratory information system (LIS) manager at a large Greater Baltimore Area hospital where he and his time oversees the LIS for four hospitals.  Michael’s IT responsibilities include designing, building, testing, and implementing laboratory tests that are used by the Medical Technologist along...

Co-Hosts Tywauna Wilson, Lona Small, and Stephanie Whitehead discuss various strategies achieving work life balance for today's laboratorian.   "Work-life balance will mean different things to different people because, after all, we all have different life commitments and in  our always-on world, balance is a very personal thing, and only you can decide the lifestyle that suits you best."-  Hank J...

In this episode, co-host Tywauna Wilson discuss simple tips to be a success in your new supervisor role. Being a new supervisor can be intimidating. Whether you get promoted from within the team, leading a brand new team, or supervising an established team, they all present their unique challenges. What if you make mistakes? You will, don't worry :-). What if you don't know the answer? You will no...

Special Guest Bio: Donna Marquess, FACHE, MA, MT(ASCP), SBB, DLMcm is a seasoned healthcare executive with strong roots in laboratory medicine. With a BS degree in Medical Technology, and specialty certifications in Blood Banking and Lab Management, Donna oversees hospital testing laboratories at a large hospital system. Her interest in mentoring future lab professionals led to many years teaching...

In this episode of eLABorate Topics podcast Lona Small, discussed the old way of approaching errors in the lab and the new way of system thinking as a way to reduce errors. Lona discussed the old approach of only focusing on the person involved in the error. She showed that remedial retraining does not solve patient safety errors unless lack of training was found as the root cause. Lona mentioned...

In this episode, co-host Tywauna Wilson interviews Lashanda N. Waller, PhD about her journey from working in research laboratories to the private sector laboratories and the differences of each pathway. Ms. Waller has then went on to package her genius and own a laboratory consulting firm where they help labs bring up new instruments, develop quality management plans, inspection prep, and policies...

Stephanie Whitehead and Tywauna Wilson did another behind the scenes with the cohost. They discussed Lona Small’s professional journey from Jamaica via the Caribbean islands to the US. They discussed Lona’s failure to accomplish her first professional aspiration leading up to her current passion of giving back to the medical lab profession as a Quality Assurance Specialist, Process Improvement con...

Tune into this episode as returning special guests Kristine Talamante and Joycelyn Jones discuss how they have taken the opportunity (with a new year, 2021) to reflect on their lives and career and see what adjustments they will be making to advance themselves and restart their careers this new year! For a deeper dive into conversations with Kristine and Joycelyn, tune in to their previous episode...

How can contributing your unique competence increase the perceived value of the Medical Lab Profession? In this episode of eLABorate Topics podcast, Lona Gordon Small, MBA, PMP, CPBPM, MT (ASCP) discuss the topic of perceived value of the Medical lab profession and the change that is possible. Even if your service has high potential value and your customers do not understand how you can help, then...

In this episode, co-host Tywauna Wilson interviews Medical Examiner Dr. Nicole Jackson. They dive in the topic of forensic pathology and the importance of self care for the medical laboratory team.  Is it really like CSI or nah? Dr. Jackson gives more insight into the field of Forensic Pathology and why taking pauses out of your day helps you to be a better leader for yourself and for your patient...

In this special behind the bench, Co-hosts Lona Small and Stephanie Whitehead, interview Tywauna Wilson about her journey to laboratory leadership and her impactful work in the Cincinnati/Dayton, OH communities. She discusses failing forward and the lessons she learned from early career failures to her proudest laboratory moment of training medical laboratory scientists in Rwanda, Africa.  Key tak...

In this episode, co-host Tywauna Wilson discuss simple strategies that will increase your visibility and position you as the go to leader in the laboratory industry. 5 Simple Strategies to Increase Your Visibility: Speak up at meetings Strengthen your relationship with your boss Participate in learning opportunities Demonstrate your expertise Grow your network *Bonus*- Make it easy for people to f...

In this episode Lona Small discussed the topic of leadership overwhelm, Tips and Tools to reduce burnout, and at the same time empowering your team. Lona discussed using a four-part tool, STREN, that you can use to empower your team and allows you to focus on tasks that will create more impact, move the needle and at the same time reduce burn out. The STREN tool: S- SOP. Lona discussed ways to sim...

In this episode, co-host Stephanie Whitehead interviews Administrative Director of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Christina Hampton.  Tune in as they discuss essential tips for managing across generations in the laboratory. If you are just looking for advice on how maximize your team’s differences and lead diverse groups with various backgrounds and work ethics – this episode is for you!  Gues...

In this special behind the bench interview, Co-hosts Tywauna Wilson and Lona Small, interview Stephanie Whitehead about her journey to laboratory leadership and her impactful work in San Antonio, TX. Key takeaways: Flexibility and Adaptability especially during times of crisis is critical Be Nimble Learn to pivot Go the extra mile to recognize your team Subscribe to lifelong learning Listening to...

In this episode, co-host Tywauna Wilson sits down with Cedrick LaFleur, MT to discuss the various career opportunities for laboratorians, the importance of self advocacy, and leader development.  If you are a laboratory professional looking to jump start your career, move into a new direction, getting recognition, then this is the episode for you!  Key takeaways: Advocacy starts with you! In order...

Lona Small, MT (ASCP), MBA, PMP, CPBPM sat down to talk with Dr. Nadia Ayala-Lopez, PhD, MLS (ASCP)CM to discuss career development opportunities for Clinical laboratory professionals. Nadia Ayala-Lopez, PhD, MLS (ASCP) CM is a clinical chemistry fellow at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. She received a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from the University of...

I GOT THE JOB!!  Now it is time to review the offer. Salary negotiations may be one of the most nerve wrecking meetings you will ever attend but there are things you can do to make it less of a nail-biting experience. In this episode, co-host Tywauna Wilson discuss strategies for reviewing your job offer and negotiating a package you are excited about. Reviewing the offer offer is the next big mee...

Tune into this episode as co-host, Stephanie Whitehead, and special guests, Tiffany Channer and Aaron Odegard, discuss the importance of joining a professional organization.   If you are a laboratory professional looking to jump start your career or get more involved in your profession, this is the episode for you!  Key takeaways: Learn about the personal and professional benefits you will gain fr...

Co-Hosts Tywauna Wilson, Lona Small, and Stephanie Whitehead discuss various strategies for moving from just managing to leading. Key Takeaways from the show: Fundamental differences between managers and leaders Leaders create a vision, managers create goals. Leaders are change agents, managers maintain the status quo Leaders are unique, managers copy   Leaders take risks, managers control risk  ...

Do you feel overwhelmed as a leader and find yourself so deep in the weeds of the daily operations that you don’t have time to lift your head up to see the trees in the forest? All the plans you had when you took this job on of making an impact, building your team, building a positive work culture or even advocating for your lab at a higher level now seem like a pipe dream? In this episode, “The P...