Located in the Biomedical Building at the University of Hawaii on the Mānoa campus is Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Department. On August 17, the public was invited to an open event to learn about the only one MLS program in the state and the only degree program at the John A. Burns School of Medicine.
of MLS the department trains and develops medical laboratory technicians and scientists. These students later play a crucial role in generating the data needed to assist healthcare providers in making diagnostic and patient treatment decisions.
Students and medical technology students conducted demonstrations and provided visitors with a hands-on opportunity to learn about microbiology, parasitology, hematology, urinalysis and blood bank stations. Faculty and staff members were also available to answer questions and provide information.
“The importance of clinical testing – especially in the era of COVID – cannot be understated. However, these professionals do their work in silence, often without recognition from the public, who greatly benefits from their efforts,” said Violet Nxedhlanawhich started as MLS program director in March.
Many participated from the clinical laboratories of the collaborators, who are trained whoopsMedical technology students during their clinical rotations. Some participants were meeting faculty and staff for the first time, while others had been with the department for years but hadn’t seen the medical technology instructors and staff since before the pandemic hit.
Nxedhlana said she was satisfied with the participation. “We put our department there and this event created a buzz around the department afterwards.”
MLS Faculty member Sherry Gon added, “That’s what the event was all about, making connections with students, alumni and the community.”
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—by Marybeth Kotrodimos
