Medical Laboratory Observer’s Lab of the Year (LOY) award coincides with National Medical Laboratory Professional Week and allows medical laboratories to demonstrate their contributions to quality patient care. Submissions will be judged on measurable achievements in five areas. A panel of judges selected from MLO’s Editorial Advisory Board will review all submissions to select the winner and two runners-up, all of whom will be featured in the April 2025 issue of MLO. At the time of their notification, winning laboratories will be asked to submit photographs according to an electronic standards format.
*All submissions are due by January 13, 2025
*Send submissions to: [email protected]
Rules for how to nominate your lab:
All nominations must be original and exclusive to MLO and not have been submitted – either original or edited – to any other publication or online media outlet currently or within the previous year. Nominations for the MLO Medical Lab of the Year Award will be accepted only from employees of the laboratory system, users of the laboratory’s services, and its non-vendor affiliates.
Nominated organizations must be willing to share information regarding annual performance. For the nomination, highlight as many specific, measurable achievements and goals that were met over the past year.
Submissions must include the following nominee information:
(a) Name, (b) Telephone number and (c) Email address AND the following nominated laboratory information: (a) Institution name, (b) Address, City, State and Zip, (c) Telephone number, (d) Email address, (e) Number of full-time equivalents, (f) Scope of responsibilities, and (g) Size of facility and number and types of tests performed.
Entries will be judged on the following areas:
Customer service: How the laboratory has handled lab tests and distribution of the results for internal customers, such as hospitals, physicians as well as patient safety and outcomes.
Productivity: How the laboratory has increased output, improved service levels, and enhanced quality, cost savings and patient benefits. Has the use of technology helped contribute to productivity improvements?
Teamwork: How well laboratory staff members work together; how they work to make the group greater than the sum of its parts.
Education and training: How well the laboratory prepares staff to do a safe, cost-effective, efficient job; how well it prepares members for career advancement. Do you have quality control measures and standards in place or an individualized QC plan program?
Strategic outlook: Does the department have a strategic plan? What does it entail? What are its elements of innovation, creativity and originality?
Please note there are no limits on the length of your entry. It is helpful to document any claims made. Documentation can include charts, PowerPoint presentations, Word docs, Excel spreadsheets, photos, etc.
