RAF Lakenheath's Lab celebrates National Lab Week

  • Published
  • By Capt. Alysia Harvey
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The laboratory technicians here, along with laboratory professionals across the world will celebrate National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week April 19-25.

NMLPW is used to recognize and celebrate laboratory professionals and the vital role they play in getting results that lead to diagnosis and treatment, and also to increase public understanding and appreciation of laboratory professionals.

This year's theme is "Laboratory Professionals Get Results", and according Lt. Col. Reba Harris, Pathology Flight commander and deputy Medical Support Squadron commander, the Airmen assigned to the 48th Medical Group laboratory are committed to getting results.

"Laboratory professionals are not vampires whose sole purpose is to take your blood," Colonel Harris said. "Instead, these highly-trained Airmen are busy performing hundreds of tasks daily to ensure our three wings - the 48th Fighter Wing, 100th Aerial Refueling Wing and the 501st Combat Support Wing - maintain fit fighters and healthy families, 24/7, worldwide. From the initial blood draw to the final product, lab professionals are committed to excellence and achieving our Air mission...we 'get results'."

According to web sources, up to 85 percent of decisions about a person's diagnosis and treatment are based on laboratory test results, so both individuals and doctors depend upon the accuracy of lab results.

Colonel Kenneth McDonnell, 48th Medical Group commander echoes the importance that laboratory technicians play in the medical community.

"Medical laboratory professionals provide vital information about your health - from prenatal tests to biopsies and blood tests," said Col. McDonnell. "They are on the frontline of our public health system, protecting Airmen and their family members from emerging infectious diseases and antibiotic resistant bacteria."

He went on to talk specifically about the Airmen of the 48th Medical Group laboratory.

"The laboratory technicians at the 48th Medical Group are the finest in the Air Force, recognized in 2007 and 2008 as the USAFE Laboratory Team of the Year, and in 2007 as the Best Lab in the Air Force."

RAF Lakenheath laboratory technicians are the cream of the crop, and they not only draw blood, process, and analyze samples, they also participate in a Homeland Defense.

"The Joint Biological Agent Identification and Detection System, or JBAIDS, is a laboratory instrument system that provides medical leaders and commanders with rapid and specific identification of biological threat agents," said Lt. Col. Harris. "Through the use of advanced scientific technology, infectious diseases, whether naturally occurring or intentional, can be identified quickly."

Lt. Col. Harris went on to say that this is especially important in the deployed environment, where the rapid identification enables commanders and health-care providers to make data-based decisions that govern early warning, intervention and prevention of disease.

During this week, although the Airmen will continue to "get results" for the tri-base military community's patients, they will also pause a moment each day to celebrate this observance held in their honor.

To learn more about the 48th Medical Group laboratory technicians and what they do to get results each and every day, check out the Jet 48 Online April 19-24 to see spotlights of the Airmen who specialize in getting results for you!