Medical Laboratory Science

MLS faculty rub elbows with Clinical Laboratory Science professionals

MLS faculty are always eager to participate in UMMC's annual commencement and in the annual state society meetings hosted by Mississippi and Louisiana.

MLS faculty who have significant roles in the ASCLS-MS include, from left, Dr. Felicia Tardy, Dr. Renee Wilkins, Dr. Stacy Vance, Dr. LaToya Richards Moore and Jana Bagwell.

The annual conference of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science for Mississippi took place in Shreveport, Louisiana, in February.

Most of the MLS faculty have prestigious roles for the ASCLS-MS: Dr. Felicia Tardy (B.S., Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Laboratory Science '97; M.S., Clinical Health Sciences '01; Ph.D., Clinical Health Sciences '10), assistant professor of MLS, serves as ASCLS-MS chairman of the Student Forum; Dr. Renee Wilkins (B.S., Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Laboratory Science '99; M.S., Clinical Health Sciences '07; Ph.D., Clinical Health Sciences '10), assistant professor of MLS, serves as ASCLS-MS president; Dr. Stacy Vance (B.S., Clinical Laboratoy Science, Medical Laboratory Science '99; Ph.D., Clinical Health Sciences '08), associate professor of MLS, serves as ASCLS-MS chairman of professional/economic affairs; Dr. LaToya Richards Moore (B.S., Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Laboratory Science '96; M.S., Clinical Health Sciences '02; Ph.D., Clinical Health Sciences '06), associate professor of MLS, serves on the ASCLS-MS Board of Directors and acts as past president; and Jana Bagwel (B.S., Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Molecular Diagnostics '05) instructor in MLS, serves as ASCLS-MS student bowl judg and coordinator. 

This colorful patch adorns the uniforms and lab coats of MLS students and faculty at UMMC.

New patch IDs MLS members
In 2014, UMMC administrators and officials approved a patch signifying the Medical Laboratory Science program in the School of Health Related Professions. Designed by the MLS Department, along with MLS students, the patch now adorns the laboratory gear and apparel of MLS faculty and students.

ASAHP honors MLS alum with Rodenberg Award
Last October, Iliane Miranda Fonseca, a 2014 MLS graduate, received the National Sidney D. Rodenberg Memorial Scholastic Award during the Annual Conference of the Association of Schools of Allied Health Professions (ASAHP) at the Bally's Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Fonseca also was SHRP's "Trailblazer in MLS" and the first MLS student to serve as SHRP's class marshal. The native of Puerto Rico ended her last year in the MLS program with a 4.0 grade-point average. 

MLS students band with a local restaurant chain to raise funds to attend a statewide meeting.

Juniors raise cane, funds to attend annual state CLS meeting
Last year's MLS junior class partnered with a local restaurant chain, to raise funds to attend the annual state meeting hosted by the Mississippi and Louisiana Societies for Clinical Laboratory Science.

This successful collaboration helped form a "bridge" of community service with other organizations, such as the Mississippi Kidney Foundation and the World Aids Day Society. Members of the MLS program said they look forward to future fund-raising opportunities.

About the program
For more information about the program, visit umc.edu/shrp/ and select "Medical Laboratory Science."