MGCCC Medical Laboratory Technology student elected to national office

Kaitlyn Abney, a recent graduate of the Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College’s Jackson County Campus, was elected the Region 3 representative at the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) national convention held July 30–August 3 in Houston, Texas.

“It was such an inspiring and eye-opening experience to attend the national convention and see how big my profession really is,” Abney sasys.  “I enjoyed meeting with my colleagues who share the same passion, who also want to make a difference in health care as I do.  I am very happy I was able to attend all the conferences affiliated with ASCLS.”

Abney was first selected student representative when the MLT students attended the state ASCLS meeting in Hattiesburg.  She was again selected as a representative at the regional convention.

Rana Walley, Medical Laboratory instructor, said that attending state, regional and national conferences is an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about their chosen profession.  “It is easy for us to forget what a wonderful profession we are in and what a difference we make in patients’ lives because we don’t get to interact with them.  Our work is in the laboratory.  Because of this, our students don’t see what is going on in their field outside South Mississippi or sometimes even our classroom and lab.  Attending these conferences gives them the chance to connect with professionals in their field and to feel pride in what they have chosen to do.”