Saluting Those on the Front Line of Diagnosing a Pandemic
This Einstein SHOUTout appeared in Dr. Michael Prystowsky’s Lab Notes. It speaks for itself and reminds us that these healthcare workers work largely behind-the-scenes to help inform their clinical colleagues about health issues they are administering to with various patients. It also makes clear that their work is vital 24/7 throughout the year, not just during a pandemic.
![This week marks a period when medical institutions traditionally recognize medical laboratory professionals. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a spotlight on these professionals, whose important contributions are vital to caregivers and their patients year-round.]()
This week marks a period when medical institutions traditionally recognize medical laboratory professionals. The COVID-19 pandemic has placed a spotlight on these professionals, whose important contributions are vital to caregivers and their patients year-round.
This week (April 19 through 25) is national Medical Laboratory Professionals Week. Traditionally, the Montefiore Einstein Pathology Department marks the occasion with a series of special educational and social activities to show our appreciation for the highly skilled and dedicated teams who staff and run the clinical laboratories across our campuses.
But this year’s celebration will be different.
With the COVID19 public health crisis upon us, there is no time to pay tribute in the usual ways.Our laboratory teams—the couriers who transport the patient specimens to the labs; the accessioners who receive, triage and accession the specimens for testing; the technicians who process the specimens and run the diagnostic tests; the laboratory supervisors; the directors who develop and validate the testing instruments; and the pathologists who analyze and interpret the test results to render speedy and accurate diagnoses—are working 24/7 in collaboration with our colleagues across the entire health system to combat the lethal coronavirus and help save lives. They are being assisted by an extraordinary group of pathology residents, fellows, Ph.D. students, postdocs and medical students.
It’s been said that adversity reveals true character. Our medical laboratory professionals and the trainees supporting them embody this principle as they labor in the epicenter of this pandemic. The courage and compassion they exhibit as they put their own lives at risk to save and protect our economically challenged and underserved patients in the Bronx community and beyond—day in and day out—are nothing short of remarkable.
We look forward to having an opportunity to properly recognize these behind-the-scenes healthcare superheroes. For now, we offer them our eternal gratitude and admiration. We could not be prouder!
Posted on: Tuesday, April 21, 2020