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Meet the LAB-CARES™ Team

We are group of diverse, experienced laboratory leaders developing framework to support and promote the articulation of the clinical laboratory's value in healthcare, develop pathways for the advancement of laboratory care, and celebrate the laboratory's role in positive patient outcomes.

Dr. Melody Boudreaux Nelson

DCLS, CC (NRCC), MS, MLS(ASCP)

Stephanie Whitehead

MBA, MPH, MLS(ASCP)

Dr. Dana Baker

Ed.D, MBA, MS, MLS(ASCP)

Aaron Odegard

MS, MLS (ASCP)

Dr. Michelle Lamendola-Essel

DrHSc, MS, MB(ASCP)

Dr. Joy Nakitandwe

PhD

The LAB-CARES™ Model

The goals of LAB-CARES are to maximize efficiencies, enhance quality, disseminate clinical expertise, increase patient safety, and promote integrative practice.

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Overview

Leadership, advocacy, best practices, community engagement, access, research, equity, and sustainability are pivotal components of laboratory medicine, collectively represented by the acronym LAB-CARES. LAB-CARES constitutes the initial framework for delineating a Laboratory Care Delivery Model (LCDM) aimed at enhancing diagnostic-related practices to optimize patient outcomes, with a particular emphasis on the sustainability of accessible healthcare. LAB-CARES is designed to function as a scalable overarching framework, analogous to a Patient Care Delivery Model (PCDM).

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Visibility Matters

Prior to realizing the future objectives of laboratory medicine within the framework of value-based care, it is imperative for laboratory professionals to clearly define their identity, articulate the value they deliver, and, most critically, demonstrate their distinctive approach to patient care. The normative should no longer represent a marginalized demographic that remains underutilized and significantly undervalued. LAB-CARES offers a promising platform for cohesive visibility and advocacy, emphasizing the laboratory profession's dedication to patient care.

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Read the Article that Started it All

The hierarchy of needs for laboratory medicine requires a foundational care delivery model. Dialogues Health. 2024 Aug 20;5:100187. doi: 10.1016/j.dialog.2024.100187

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Advance with Us

We encourage you to reach out and get in touch with us regarding any collaborative ideas or thoughts you may have. Whether you have a specific project in mind or simply wish to explore potential partnerships, we are eager to hear from you. Our team is dedicated to fostering creativity and innovation within the field of Laboratory Medicine and Value Based Care, and we believe that open communication is key to successful collaboration. So don’t hesitate to share your insights, suggestions, or inquiries with us. We look forward to connecting and discussing how we can work together to bring your ideas to life. Your input is invaluable, and we are excited about the possibility of collaborating with you!