HAMILTON ON (June 16, 2022)—The Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario (MLPAO) celebrates 60 impressive years at its 60th Anniversary Congress, June 17-18, 2022.
On March 21st, 1963, a group of 17 Medical Laboratory Technologists legally registered a not-for-profit association named the Ontario Society of Medical Technologists with the intent of ensuring that MLTs had a voice in the province of Ontario.
Over the past 59 years, the small association has grown from 17 members to over 4,000 and includes Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs), Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLA/Ts) and other professionals working in our labs.
A two-day learning event is taking place in Hamilton to celebrate this milestone. Minister Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and Minister McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, have both sent greetings to mark the occasion.
“The hard work of Ontario’s medical lab technologists, technicians and assistants, is critical to our health care system,” said Minister Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “All your efforts helping the response to COVID-19 by processing samples and analyzing tests are greatly appreciated. We would not be where we are today without your help.”
Friday, June 17th will host an Annual Leadership Summit. This exclusive, full-day event is targeted at Lab Leaders and focuses on growth and development for directors, managers, and team leaders.
Saturday, June 18th is a full-day conference. Topics will inform and inspire attendees to provide MLTs and MLT/As the needed energy to keep pushing through the pandemic.
According to the CDC, 70% of medical decisions rely on laboratory results. Medical laboratories impact all aspects of patient care, from emergency rooms to family medicine to mental health. Every sample—COVID-19 swabs taken in pharmacies, blood drawn in doctor's offices, tumours extracted during surgery—is processed and analyzed by an MLT.
