ASCLS - IDAHO FOCUS

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As NCA President, I served on the negotiation team that engineered the consolidation of the two competing laboratory certification organizations for NAACLS-accredited laboratory training programs. Starting from the position of bitter rivals, with a past history of inability to resolve differences, the idea of coming to agreement on this essential cornerstone of our profession was almost unthinkable. As you might imagine, there were many points initially on which we did not see eye to eye. Give and take from both sides was required. The team kept the end goal at front of mind, and weighed each decision based on the outcome that would be most beneficial to the profession. Changing our culture from competition to collaboration was essential to reaching agreement. We discovered that the goals of each side for our certification organizations were very closely aligned. By focusing on our shared goals, and the benefits to our profession of merging our organizations, we ultimately identified a way to come together. I will continue to serve as one of the ASCLS representatives on the new Board of Certification, beginning with our first meeting October 31, 2009. Our challenge will be ensuring that we continue to meet our certification program goals within the new structure.

Susan Morris

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