To commemorate its 20th anniversary in 2008, COLA, the premier clinical laboratory accreditation organization, has launched a year-long campaign entitled Laboratorians: Saving Lives One Test at a Time. The campaign is designed to:

• Honor the people who perform the vital work of protecting the health and safety of the nation by assuring that each test every day is seen as saving one life at a time.
• Raise public awareness of the vital role laboratory professionals play in delivering quality health care
• Highlight the importance of laboratory tests to ensuring appropriate medical treatment
• Interest others in the field of laboratory medicine by providing information about the profession, education and training programs, certification and licensing requirements, job opportunities and more

As part of the campaign, COLA is providing a wealth of resources and information for existing laboratory professionals as well as for those interested in joining the profession. On this website, for example, you will find ideas for promoting the profession with health care colleagues, patients and the general public, as well as information on upcoming industry symposiums, training sessions, and other events. There also is information about education programs, job descriptions, links to financial assistance and scholarship resources, listings of current job opportunities and interviews with laboratory professionals who describe what drew them to the profession.

We invite you to join our community and help show others how the contributions of laboratorians are saving lives…one test at a time. Begin by ordering your free wristband.