Every day, CHOP’s cutting-edge medical laboratories play a critical role in diagnosing and treating some of the sickest pediatric patients. Those laboratories depend on specially trained Medical Laboratory Scientists that are in high demand and short supply nationwide. In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to hire enough skilled MLS professionals to support CHOP’s mission of providing world-class care.
At CHOP, preparing for the future means investing in the people who will shape it. That’s why the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine launched the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Education Program—a powerful initiative designed to develop and retain these highly skilled professionals essential to pediatric healthcare.
The program is a clinical training partnership for local college seniors completing their Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science. Students spend their final undergraduate year immersed in classroom learning and hands-on clinical rotations at CHOP, gaining the skills and experience needed to become certified Medical Laboratory Scientists.
Medical Laboratory Scientists play a vital role in the hospital workforce. They perform essential diagnostic tests, ensure the safety of transfusions, contribute to the development of new tools and technologies, and make precision medicine possible - helping to ensure that medical care is tailored to each individual child.
Led by Susanne Dannert, MS, MLS (ASCP), Program Director, and Elizabeth Margolskee, MD, MPH, Medical Director, the MLS Education Program brings together lab leadership, MLS professionals, and MD/PhD faculty across the department to deliver a ten-month, high-impact curriculum. This collaboration ensures students are immersed in both the theory and real-world practice of pediatric laboratory medicine.
Nationwide, MLS professionals are in high demand and short supply. Each year, there are over 12,000 MLS job openings nationally, with only 5,000 new graduates entering the field. The laboratories at CHOP hire approximately 30 MLS professionals each year. The demand continues to grow, with a projected 6% increase over the next ten years.
Why It Matters for CHOP
The MLS Education Program is not just an academic initiative – it’s a strategic investment in our clinical workforce and the future of patient care.
- Building our future workforce. This program will be a pipeline for talent – educating, training and ultimately hiring highly sought-after MLS professionals right here at CHOP.
- Advancing CHOP’s mission and strategic goals. The program exemplifies CHOP’s commitment to innovation, precision medicine, and developing the “workforce of the future.”
- Strengthening department pride and visibility. The MLS Program highlights the essential work of laboratory professionals and amplifies the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine’s role in CHOP’s success. It brings well-deserved recognition to the staff and faculty who power diagnostics and innovation.
- Creating a platform for professional engagement. From guest lecturing to mentoring, the program invites staff and faculty to share their expertise in science, medicine or hospital operations in meaningful ways.
“The majority of students are local college seniors who will spend their final undergraduate year learning at CHOP,” reports Sue Dannert. After eight weeks of coursework in clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, and medical microbiology, students transition to hands-on training in CHOP’s state-of-the-art clinical laboratories.
“We are excited to be able to expose our students to the breadth of laboratory medicine, with experts at every level – bench scientists, lab leaders, and the medical faculty,” says Dr. Margolskee.
Get Involved
You can help advance CHOP’s workforce and patient care mission by:
- Referring prospective applicants to the MLS Education Program.
- Raising awareness about the vital work of medical lab scientists in your unit or department.
- Partnering with the program as a guest lecturer, mentor or clinical collaborator.
Contact mlsprogram@chop.edu or visit chop.edu/mls to learn more.
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Every day, CHOP’s cutting-edge medical laboratories play a critical role in diagnosing and treating some of the sickest pediatric patients. Those laboratories depend on specially trained Medical Laboratory Scientists that are in high demand and short supply nationwide. In recent years, it has become increasingly difficult to hire enough skilled MLS professionals to support CHOP’s mission of providing world-class care.
At CHOP, preparing for the future means investing in the people who will shape it. That’s why the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine launched the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Education Program—a powerful initiative designed to develop and retain these highly skilled professionals essential to pediatric healthcare.
The program is a clinical training partnership for local college seniors completing their Bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science. Students spend their final undergraduate year immersed in classroom learning and hands-on clinical rotations at CHOP, gaining the skills and experience needed to become certified Medical Laboratory Scientists.
Medical Laboratory Scientists play a vital role in the hospital workforce. They perform essential diagnostic tests, ensure the safety of transfusions, contribute to the development of new tools and technologies, and make precision medicine possible - helping to ensure that medical care is tailored to each individual child.
Led by Susanne Dannert, MS, MLS (ASCP), Program Director, and Elizabeth Margolskee, MD, MPH, Medical Director, the MLS Education Program brings together lab leadership, MLS professionals, and MD/PhD faculty across the department to deliver a ten-month, high-impact curriculum. This collaboration ensures students are immersed in both the theory and real-world practice of pediatric laboratory medicine.
Nationwide, MLS professionals are in high demand and short supply. Each year, there are over 12,000 MLS job openings nationally, with only 5,000 new graduates entering the field. The laboratories at CHOP hire approximately 30 MLS professionals each year. The demand continues to grow, with a projected 6% increase over the next ten years.
Why It Matters for CHOP
The MLS Education Program is not just an academic initiative – it’s a strategic investment in our clinical workforce and the future of patient care.
- Building our future workforce. This program will be a pipeline for talent – educating, training and ultimately hiring highly sought-after MLS professionals right here at CHOP.
- Advancing CHOP’s mission and strategic goals. The program exemplifies CHOP’s commitment to innovation, precision medicine, and developing the “workforce of the future.”
- Strengthening department pride and visibility. The MLS Program highlights the essential work of laboratory professionals and amplifies the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine’s role in CHOP’s success. It brings well-deserved recognition to the staff and faculty who power diagnostics and innovation.
- Creating a platform for professional engagement. From guest lecturing to mentoring, the program invites staff and faculty to share their expertise in science, medicine or hospital operations in meaningful ways.
“The majority of students are local college seniors who will spend their final undergraduate year learning at CHOP,” reports Sue Dannert. After eight weeks of coursework in clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, and medical microbiology, students transition to hands-on training in CHOP’s state-of-the-art clinical laboratories.
“We are excited to be able to expose our students to the breadth of laboratory medicine, with experts at every level – bench scientists, lab leaders, and the medical faculty,” says Dr. Margolskee.
Get Involved
You can help advance CHOP’s workforce and patient care mission by:
- Referring prospective applicants to the MLS Education Program.
- Raising awareness about the vital work of medical lab scientists in your unit or department.
- Partnering with the program as a guest lecturer, mentor or clinical collaborator.
Contact mlsprogram@chop.edu or visit chop.edu/mls to learn more.
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Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Education Program