eLABorate Topics

Are you looking for ways to influence the national workforce shortage? Well this episode is just for you!

In today’s episode, co-host Stephanie Whitehead interviews Dr. Diane Banks to discuss the importance of laboratory advocacy to leverage success as a MLT program director. Tune in as Dr. Banks elaborates on her strategies in using her local influence (with industry professionals) to offer meaningful solutions to the workforce shortage.

Be sure to share this episode with a high school, MLT or CLS student in your local area!

Special Guest Bio:

Dr. Diane P. Banks is Assistant Professor in the Biological Sciences Department at Bronx Community College in NYC, where she also serves as Program Director for the Medical Laboratory Technician Program. She earned a Ph. D. in Urban Education for Math, Science and Technology from the Graduate Center within the City University of New York (CUNY). Her research specializes in STEM education with a focus on faculty preparation and learned helplessness; Microbiology with a focus in soil and water microbiome; Epidemiology with a focus in infectious disease transmission; and Science History Education with a focus on rediscovering the contributions of African Americans in science. She co-authored the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Sciences' 2018 Workforce Shortage Position paper and co-authored two ASCP LMU webinar courses. Mrs. Banks’ awards and honors include a 2017-2018 Science Teaching Fellowship with the American Society for Microbiology.

Listeners can contact with Dr. Banks at [email protected]

Be a Supporter! 

1.      Join our community! Be sure to follow @eLABorateTopics on LinkedIn. 

2.      Listen on directimpactbroadcsting.com, LabVine or your favorite podcast platform

3.      Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on your phone, tablet or notebook so you never miss an episode! 

4.      Be sure to leave a comment, and share with a fellow medical laboratory professionals!

Be a Guest!

If you have a leadership or laboratory message to share and would like to be a guest on the show, please reach out to us at [email protected] or Direct Impact Broadcasting on Social Media. 

Have you wondered why some leaders seem to thrive and be so fulfilled in their roles, while others are stressed out with migraines, always angry and frustrated, many with deteriorating health?

In this episode Lona Small discussed the importance of avoiding the stress and burn-out that many leaders experience. She emphasized the importance of a holistic approach to success as a leader.

Lona discussed the 10 traits of a High performance leader listed below:

1.       Have a clear vision

2.       Know your unique strengths

3.       Be aware of your current challenges

4.       Take an holistic approach to success

5.       Understand productivity ( not just working hard)

6.       Expect to fail

7.       Celebrate Wins

8.       Learn New Things

9.       Give and get support

10.   Share Knowledge and build authority in your field

Listen to the full episode to find out the details on how to utilize these 10 traits in becoming a high performance leader. Listen to Episode 66 of Season 1 to for more details on practical ways to set a clear vision.

Call to Action

You can reach Lona Small directly at [email protected] if you have questions regarding this subject or you want to contact her regarding LabOPEX coaching and training. You can also catch Lona on LinkedIn under Lona Gordon Small and follow hashtag #YouAreAnEqualPartOfTheWhole.

We would love to feature YOU!!! Share your favorite takeaway from today's episode or anyone from this season: Video Review

Be an eLABorate Supporter! 

1.    Listen on directimpactbroadcasting.com, Spotify, Apple Podcast, or your favorite podcast platform

2.    Become a member of LabVine at labvinelearning.com and listen to eLABorate Topics podcast on VineStream

3.    Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on your phone, tablet, or notebook so you never miss an episode! 

4.    Be sure to leave a comment, and share it with fellow medical laboratory professionals!

5.    Join our eLABorate Topics Group on LinkedIn

6.    Leave us a Video Review and we will feature you on our Social Media: Video Review

Be a Guest on our show!

If you have a leadership or laboratory message to share and would like to be a guest on the show, please reach out to us by completing the guest interest form or send us an e-mail us at [email protected].

Please tune in next week to hear another amazing episode of eLABorate Topics!

According to a study by the Harvard Business Review, more than two-thirds of people who leave their jobs do so because of an ineffective leader. The study also found that poor leadership was the number one reason employees quit their jobs. Ineffective leaders can have a negative impact on employee morale, productivity, and creativity. As a leader, you have the power to create a positive leadership culture where potential leaders flourish. If you create that environment, then people with leadership potential will learn, gain experience, and come into their own. 

In today's episode, Tywauna Wilson shares 12 power tips to help managers create a team with high retention and strong leadership.

Power tips for creating high retention and strong leadership environment:

1. Place high value on people
2. Commit resources to develop people
3. Place a high value on leadership
4. Look for potential leaders
5. Know and respect your people
6. Provide your people with leadership experiences
7. Reward leadership initiative
8. Provide a safe environment
9. Grow with your people
10. Draw people with high potential into your inner circle
11. Commit yourself to developing a leadership team
12. Unleash your leaders to lead

Reflection Question

• Am I committed to creating a team with high retention and strong leadership 
• Am I growing with my people?

Call to Action
WE would love to feature YOU!!! Share your favorite takeaway from today's episode or anyone from this season: Video Review

Connect with Coach Tee Wilson
To connect with Tywauna for more on this and other leadership and personal development topics visit: TywaunaWilson.com or connect with her on LinkedIn for the invitation to join the Trendy Elite Leadership Tidbits Community where you can learn grow and develop in the area of leadership and personal development.

Be an eLABorate Supporter! 

1. Listen on directimpactbroadcasting.com, Spotify, Apple Podcast, or your favorite podcast platform
2. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on your phone, tablet, or notebook so you never miss an episode! 
3. Be sure to leave a comment, and share it with fellow medical laboratory professionals!
4. Join our eLABorate Topics Group on LinkedIn
5. Leave us a Video Review and we will feature you on our Social Media: Video Review

Be a Guest on our show!

If you have a leadership or laboratory message to share and would like to be a guest on the show, please reach out to us by completing the guest interest form or send us an e-mail at [email protected].

Please tune in next week to hear another amazing episode of eLABorate Topics!

Is it time to budget for new laboratory equipment?
Do you need equipment that allows for standardization across multiple locations?
Are you looking to increase efficiency and productivity?

In today’s exciting episode the co-hosts Lona Small, Stephanie Whitehead, and Tywauna Wilson share tips on strategies for selecting the right laboratory equipment.

Key Topics the Co-Hosts Shared in this episode

• Key Stakeholders In the process
• Purpose of New Instrument selection 
• Managerial considerations for instrument selection
• Technical Considerations for instrument selection 

Call to Action
WE would love to feature YOU!!! Share your favorite takeaway from today's episode or anyone from this season: Video Review

Be an eLABorate Supporter! 

1. Listen on directimpactbroadcasting.com, Spotify, Apple Podcast, or your favorite podcast platform
2. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on your phone, tablet, or notebook so you never miss an episode! 
3. Be sure to leave a comment, and share it with fellow medical laboratory professionals!
4. Join our eLABorate Topics Group on LinkedIn
5. Leave us a Video Review and we will feature you on our Social Media: Video Review

Be a Guest on our show!

If you have a leadership or laboratory message to share and would like to be a guest on the show, please reach out to us by completing the guest interest form or send us an e-mail us at [email protected].

Please tune in next week to hear another amazing episode of eLABorate Topics!

Show Highlights:

In today’s exciting episode, co-host, Stephanie Whitehead, talks with her mentee, Caroline Henderson, about their mentorship pairing and their experience from the perspectives of  mentor and mentee.

Caroline is a Laboratory Specialist in the Referral Testing department at UNC Health in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.  She grew up in West Texas but made her way to the Tarheel state for college.  She is currently pursuing a Masters of Clinical Laboratory Science through UNC and hopes it will open doors for management or education opportunities in the future.  Outside of the lab, Caroline is involved in her church, is learning to play classical guitar, and has an affinity for anything involving good food.

Tune in and listen as Caroline and Stephanie discuss their fascinating views on mentorship and how they have used their mentorship pairing to learn from each other’s experiences!

Be sure to post a comment in our Linkedin eLABorate Topics Group and share your thoughts how being a mentor or mentee has impacted our career journey. 

Be an eLABorate Supporter! 

1.      Listen on directimpactbroadcsting.com, Spotify, Apple Podcast or your favorite podcast platform

2.      Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on your phone, tablet or notebook so you never miss an episode! 

3.      Be sure to leave a comment, and share with a fellow medical laboratory professionals!

4.      Join our eLABorate Topics Group on Linkedin

Be a Guest on our show!

If you have a leadership or laboratory message to share and would like to be a guest on the show, please reach out to us at by completing the Guest Interest Form or send us an email at [email protected]

Please tune in next week to hear another amazing episode of eLABorate Topics!

In this episode Lona Small spoke with Patty Eschliman, Lab Operations director, Certified Professional Coach and Energy Leadership Master Practitioner, about tools that medical lab professionals can use to combat burnout in these stressful times.

Patty Eschliman is a highly engaged leader always looking for opportunities for personal and professional growth. Having worked in the Clinical Laboratory setting for over 37 years, the last 27 in leadership, Patty loves collaborating with others on best outcomes. In her role as President of CLMA, she experienced the privilege of influencing the growth and success of a robust international organization and enjoyed the opportunity of traveling the US, meeting Medical Laboratory professionals to learn, firsthand, the needs of what makes them feel successful in their lives and career. Patty has also served in leadership roles on the ASCP Board of Certification, Board of Governors. As a Certified Professional Coach and Energy Leadership Master Practitioner, Patty is committed to helping these professionals reach their full potential 

Patty spoke about her journey into lab leadership, professional societies and why she decided to be a certified coach. Patty discussed the importance of mentorship and different ways to approach mentorship. Patty then gave some very practical and useful tips and tools to prevent burnout during these stressful times.

Listen to the full episode to find out the details about tools and techniques you can use for yourself and your team in reducing burnout.

To learn more about Patty’s work and how you can learn more from her visit  Patty’s website at  thelableadercoach.com

where  there is great  information including opportunities for leadership training.

Or email Patty at [email protected]

Call to Action

You can also catch Lona on LinkedIn under Lona Gordon Small and follow hashtag #YouAreAnEqualPartOfTheWhole.

We would love to feature YOU!!! Share your favorite takeaway from today's episode or anyone from this season: Video Review

Be an eLABorate Supporter! 

1.     Listen on directimpactbroadcasting.com, Spotify, Apple Podcast, or your favorite podcast platform

2.     Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on your phone, tablet, or notebook so you never miss an episode! 

3.     Be sure to leave a comment, and share it with fellow medical laboratory professionals!

4.     Join our eLABorate Topics Group on LinkedIn

5.     Leave us a Video Review and we will feature you on our Social Media: Video Review

Be a Guest on our show!

If you have a leadership or laboratory message to share and would like to be a guest on the show, please reach out to us by completing the guest interest form or send us an e-mail us at [email protected].

Please tune in next week to hear another amazing episode of eLABorate Topics!

"It's more than just having a degree....It's having the right strategy to help you position yourself in your career".

In this episode, Co-Host Tywauna Wilson, sits down with Trishana Osbourne to discuss her journey as a first-generational college student selecting a career in medical laboratory science. Trishana knew she wanted to impact patient care but she didn't want to directly work with patients. With her reserved personality, she found laboratory science a great fit. While working in laboratories in Jamaica, she began to get burnt out until she began to receive mentorship. She also began to surround herself with a community of other like-minded professionals who offered additional support. This changed the trajectory of her career and set her on a mission to help others find their confidence and freedom.

Key Topics Shared in this episode:

• The need for mentorship and career coaching for medical laboratory professionals
• Finding the right career that matches both your skills and passion
• Following the three key pillars of success:
  •  Selfcare
  •  Self Trust
  •  Finding The Right Space
  
  

Special Guest Bio:

Trishana Osbourne is a Medical Laboratory Scientist and career coach focused on helping lab professionals fully elevate their careers by using their prior experience and leveraging their current skills without going back to school to get another degree. She grew up in a single-parent household in Jamaica where there was a strong emphasis on education. Being the first member of her family to go to university, she didn't have an example to guide her career decisions. In most of her early 20s, she faced a lot of challenges in confidently speaking up at work & asking for fair wages. This whole ordeal led her to be underpaid and undervalued in roles looking to get out of the industry she came to love and enjoy. Along the way, Trishana discovered tools and resources that helped her to clearly articulate her expertise which she uses to help others navigate their path. 

Call to Action
WE would love to feature YOU!!! Share your favorite takeaway from today's episode or anyone from this season: Video Review

Be an eLABorate Supporter! 

1. Listen on directimpactbroadcasting.com, Spotify, Apple Podcast, or your favorite podcast platform
2. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on your phone, tablet, or notebook so you never miss an episode! 
3. Be sure to leave a comment, and share it with fellow medical laboratory professionals!
4. Join our eLABorate Topics Group on LinkedIn
5. Leave us a Video Review and we will feature you on our Social Media: Video Review

Be a Guest on our show!

If you have a leadership or laboratory message to share and would like to be a guest on the show, please reach out to us by completing the guest interest form or send us an e-mail us at [email protected].

Please tune in next week to hear another amazing episode of eLABorate Topics!

Are you a Laboratory Team Lead or Coordinator?
Do you have responsibility for processes, in your lab section, but not the responsibility for the employees working in your section?
Are you leading a lab professional in a middle management role?

All laboratory roles are critical to the success of the laboratory however, some roles/titles can come with challenges and role conflict. In today’s exciting episode the co-hosts Lona Small, Stephanie Whitehead, and Tywauna Wilson share tips to succeed in any "Middle Management" role.

Key Topics the Co-Hosts Shared in this episode

• Understanding the challenges of lab professionals in middle management 
• Tips to succeed in your current role
• Tips for leaders to support middle management staff. 

Call to Action
WE would love to feature YOU!!! Share your favorite takeaway from today's episode or anyone from this season: Video Review

Be an eLABorate Supporter! 

1. Listen on directimpactbroadcasting.com, Spotify, Apple Podcast, or your favorite podcast platform
2. Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on your phone, tablet, or notebook so you never miss an episode! 
3. Be sure to leave a comment, and share it with fellow medical laboratory professionals!
4. Join our eLABorate Topics Group on LinkedIn
5. Leave us a Video Review and we will feature you on our Social Media: Video Review

Be a Guest on our show!

If you have a leadership or laboratory message to share and would like to be a guest on the show, please reach out to us by completing the guest interest form or send us an e-mail us at [email protected].

Please tune in next week to hear another amazing episode of eLABorate Topics!

In this “Ask the Expert” episode, co-host Stephanie Whitehead chats with Dr. Rodney Rohde about the global public health threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Tune as Stephanie and Dr. Rohde discuss ways to help prevent AMR, tips for being an advocate of this cause and much more!

Be sure to check out Dr. Rohde's coauthored explainer article for TIPS-infectioncontrol.tips entitled Antimicrobial Resistance: A Review of a Broad-Spectrum Problem and Future Needs - InfectionControl.tips, as well as, his previous talks, YouTubes, articles and other bodies of work!

And, share this episode with a lab or Microbiology colleague!

Special Guest Bio:

Dr. Rohde has published over 90 research articles and abstracts, two books and is a highly sought keynote presenter with over 100 international, national, and state conference presentations. His two books focus on Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) adaptation and Clinical Considerations in Rabies. In recent years, he has become a globally viral author subject matter expert utilizing invited articles, TEDx talks, podcasts, video casts and interviews to enhance science communication and translational health research literacy in public health, healthcare, and the medical laboratory environment.

During the #SARSCoV2 / #COVID19 pandemic, Doc R is the #1 quoted Texas State subject matter expert and conducted over 150 interviews for podcasts, TV, newspapers, and internet sites including dozens of webinars and workshops at all levels. He has received numerous awards and honors during his career, and most recently, added to The Pathologist’s PowerList 2020 and Cardinal Health’s Laboratory Excellence List (2022).

Listeners can connect with Dr. Rodney Rohde at: 

Personal Website: https://rodneyerohde.wp.txstate.edu/

Twitter: @RodneyRohde | @TXST_CLS | @TXST_THR

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rodneyerohde/ [personal]

https://www.linkedin.com/company/texas-state-clinical-laboratory-science-program/?viewAsMember=true 
[Texas State CLS Program]

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010172941875 [personal]

https://www.facebook.com/txstate.cls/ [Texas State CLS Program]

https://www.facebook.com/txst.THR/ [Texas State Translational Health Research]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtWrOlPkjfLm2_i1G3ZVWBg [Youtube channel]

Call to Action
We would love to feature YOU!!!
Share your favorite takeaway from today's episode or anyone from this season: Video Review

Be an eLABorate Supporter!
1.     Listen on directimpactbroadcasting.com, Spotify, Apple Podcast, or your favorite podcast platform

2.     Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on your phone, tablet, or notebook so you never miss an episode! 

3.     Be sure to leave a comment, and share it with fellow medical laboratory professionals!

4.     Join our eLABorate Topics Group on LinkedIn

5.     Leave us a Video Review and we will feature you on our Social Media: Video Review

 
Be a Guest on our show!
If you have a leadership or laboratory message to share and would like to be a guest on the show, please reach out to us by completing the guest interest form or send us an e-mail us at [email protected].

Please tune in next week to hear another amazing episode of eLABorate Topics!

In this episode Lona Small spoke with Andre Gouws Chief Operating Officer of Power of Process.

Andre is a seasoned skills development professional with over 27 years of experience in the learning and development sphere. He is known to inspire, motivate, and develop people to help them achieve their business objectives and career aspirations. He is passionate about laboratories and their role in the quality of life and making us live longer, healthier and stronger. With this in mind, he has developed the Power of Process skills development programs that help laboratories enhance patient care through business management and laboratory performance improvement in a rapidly changing environment. He has also authored a textbook called "The Guide to Management for Laboratory Leaders" that is available at Amazon.com

Andre spoke about his love for the lab and Performance Improvement. He discussed the distinction between Performance improvement and Process improvement and how they relate to the lab. Andre discussed the importance for lab leaders and team members to learn the tools to practice Performance Improvement and Process Improvement to improve our labs. He discussed the holistic approach to improving labs by focusing on the people, understanding their motivations, the processes, procedures, and understanding what to focus on in order to enhance the value of the lab.
Listen to the full episode to find out the details on how you could enhance your lab by practicing the holistic approach to Performance improvement.

Please contact Andre Gouws through labvinelearning.com or on LinkedIn  Andre Gouws | LinkedIn or on the Power Of Process training on the LabVine platform.

Call to Action

Chat with Lona if you are looking to figure out your next- level career in the lab at

https://calendly.com/lonasmall/next-level-role

You can also catch Lona on LinkedIn under Lona Gordon Small and follow hashtag #YouAreAnEqualPartOfTheWhole.

We would love to feature YOU!!! Share your favorite takeaway from today's episode or anyone from this season: Video Review

Be an eLABorate Supporter! 

1.     Listen on directimpactbroadcasting.com, Spotify, Apple Podcast, or your favorite podcast platform

2.     Don’t forget to subscribe to the show on your phone, tablet, or notebook so you never miss an episode! 

3.     Be sure to leave a comment, and share it with fellow medical laboratory professionals!

4.     Join our eLABorate Topics Group on LinkedIn

5.     Leave us a Video Review and we will feature you on our Social Media: Video Review

Be a Guest on our show!

If you have a leadership or laboratory message to share and would like to be a guest on the show, please reach out to us by completing the guest interest form or send us an e-mail us at [email protected].

Please tune in next week to hear another amazing episode of eLABorate Topics!