SUPERSTAT

What started as a podcast became something much bigger.

In this episode of SUPERSTAT, we take a step back to reflect on the conversations, lessons, and people who have shaped this incredible journey. Along the way, we've learned that advancing laboratory medicine isn't just about discussing today's challenges—it's about inspiring tomorrow's professionals.

Join us for an honest conversation about purpose, growth, and why our mission is expanding through STEM to STAT, an initiative dedicated to making laboratory medicine visible to the next generation of scientists, innovators, and healthcare leaders.

Whether you've been with us since episode one or just recently joined the community, thank you for being part of the journey. We hope this conversation reminds you that the future of our profession isn't something we simply prepare for—it's something we have the opportunity to inspire.

Because you can't become what you've never seen.

#SUPERSTATPodcast #STEMtoSTAT #LaboratoryMedicine #Diagnostics #MedicalLaboratory #STEMEducation #FutureScientists #ScienceCommunication #HealthcareInnovation #YouCantBecomeWhatYouveNeverSeen

Some stories are too important to stay untold.

Before the headlines faded and before the world moved on, laboratory professionals were living a chapter of healthcare history that few people ever witnessed. Long hours. Impossible decisions. Quiet resilience. Moments of heartbreak, hope, and humanity behind the laboratory doors.

In this special edition of SUPERSTAT, we're taking listeners behind the scenes of an upcoming publishing project that has been years in the making.

Co-edited by Dr. Rodney E. Rohde and Dr. Melody Boudreaux Nelson, this collection brings together the voices of laboratory professionals from across the profession, sharing personal reflections from one of the most challenging periods in modern healthcare.

This isn't a book about laboratory testing.

It's a book about the people behind the science.

Join us as we discuss why these stories matter, what readers can expect, and why preserving the experiences of laboratory professionals is an important part of healthcare history.

This episode offers an exclusive first look at a project we can't wait to share with the laboratory community.

📚 The story is almost here.

🎧 Listen now, and be among the first to hear what's coming next.

#SUPERSTATPodcast #LaboratoryMedicine #MedicalLaboratoryScience #ClinicalLaboratory #HealthcareHeroes #COVID19 #HealthcareHistory #Leadership #ScienceCommunication #LaboratoryProfessionals #BehindTheScience #HealthcareStories #Podcast #ComingSoon

At-home STI self-testing is rapidly becoming part of the diagnostic landscape—but what does this shift mean for patients, public health, and the clinical laboratory?

In this episode of SUPERSTAT, we explore the growing role of self-collected and at-home STI testing, discussing how these technologies are improving access to care while also raising important questions about diagnostic quality, follow-up, reporting, health equity, and the future role of laboratory professionals.

Join us as we discuss:

• How self-testing is improving access for patients
• Public health implications and reporting challenges
• How laboratories continue to provide critical expertise behind the scenes
• What the future of decentralized diagnostics may look like

As healthcare continues to move beyond the traditional clinic, laboratories remain an essential part of ensuring patients receive accurate, reliable, and actionable results.

Whether you're a laboratory professional, clinician, public health practitioner, educator, student, or simply curious about where diagnostics are headed, this episode provides practical insight into one of today's most important conversations in laboratory medicine.

🎧 Subscribe to SUPERSTAT for weekly conversations exploring laboratory medicine, diagnostics, healthcare innovation, leadership, and the science behind patient care.

Connect with SUPERSTAT
📸 Instagram: @superstatpodcast
💼 LinkedIn: SUPERSTAT Podcast
🌐 Learn more: www.labcares.org

#SUPERSTATPodcast #LaboratoryMedicine #MedicalLaboratoryScience #ClinicalLaboratory #Diagnostics #STITesting #SelfTesting #PublicHealth #HealthcareInnovation #DiagnosticStewardship #MedTech #ScienceCommunication #HealthcarePodcast #LabLife #FutureOfHealthcare #LaboratoryProfessionals

The conversation continues.

In Part 2 of our special interview with Nancy Stratton, CEO of COLA, we take the discussion beyond today's challenges and into the future of laboratory medicine. From leadership and workforce development to innovation, accreditation, and the evolving role of the laboratory in healthcare, this episode explores what it will take to prepare the profession for the next decade.

Building on the themes introduced in Part 1, Nancy shares additional perspectives on leading through change, fostering quality, and creating opportunities for laboratory professionals to shape the future rather than simply respond to it.

Whether you're an emerging leader, an experienced laboratorian, an educator, or simply passionate about advancing laboratory medicine, this episode offers practical insights and thoughtful discussion on where our profession is headed.

If you haven't listened to Part 1 yet, we recommend starting there before diving into this conclusion.

Join us as we continue the conversation with one of laboratory medicine's leading voices.

#SUPERSTATPodcast #LaboratoryMedicine #MedicalLaboratoryScience #ClinicalLaboratory #Leadership #HealthcareLeadership #COLA #NancyStratton #Accreditation #Quality #PatientSafety #HealthcareInnovation #Diagnostics #MedLab #LabLeadership #LaboratoryProfessional #FutureOfHealthcare #HealthcarePodcast #SciencePodcast #STEM

Leadership is easy to talk about—but much harder to practice during times of change.

In Part 1 of this special SUPERSTAT conversation, we sit down with Nancy Stratton, CEO of COLA, to discuss leadership, accreditation, and the future of laboratory medicine. Together, we explore how organizations navigate uncertainty, why accreditation remains a cornerstone of quality and patient safety, and the opportunities ahead for laboratory professionals as healthcare continues to evolve.

Nancy shares insights from her leadership journey, perspectives on the changing healthcare landscape, and thoughts on how today's laboratory leaders can help shape the profession's future rather than simply react to it.

Whether you're a laboratory professional, educator, manager, director, student, or healthcare leader, this episode offers a thoughtful discussion on what it means to lead with purpose while keeping quality, innovation, and patient care at the center of every decision.

Topics discussed:
• Leadership during periods of transformation
• The evolving role of accreditation
• Workforce challenges and opportunities
• Innovation and the future of laboratory medicine
• Building resilient organizations and teams
• What laboratory professionals should be preparing for next

This is Part 1 of our conversation with Nancy Stratton. Stay tuned for Part 2 next week.

#SUPERSTATPodcast #LaboratoryMedicine #Leadership #COLA #Accreditation #HealthcareLeadership #ClinicalLaboratory #MedicalLaboratoryScience #Diagnostics #LabLeadership #PatientSafety #QualityImprovement

Social media says methylene blue can boost memory, increase energy, optimize mitochondria, improve focus, and maybe even help you live longer.

Laboratory medicine says: let's take a closer look.

In this episode of SUPERSTAT, we explore one of the hottest trends in wellness and biohacking. From its origins as a laboratory stain to its FDA-approved use in treating methemoglobinemia, methylene blue has a fascinating history rooted in science and medicine.

We'll discuss:
🧪 What methylene blue actually is
🔬 How it's used in laboratories and healthcare
🧠 The science behind mitochondrial and cognitive claims
⚠️ Potential risks and drug interactions
📊 What the current evidence does—and does not—support

Whether you're a laboratorian, healthcare professional, student, or simply curious about the latest health trends, this episode will help you separate evidence from exaggeration.

👇 Have you seen methylene blue discussed online? What claims have you heard? Let us know in the comments.

Subscribe for more conversations about laboratory medicine, diagnostics, healthcare innovation, and the science behind the headlines.

#SUPERSTATPodcast #MethyleneBlue #LaboratoryMedicine #Biohacking #HealthcarePodcast #MedicalScience #Diagnostics #ClinicalLaboratory #MedicalLaboratoryScientist #EvidenceBasedMedicine #ScienceCommunication #Mitochondria #LongevityScience #HealthTrends #MedLab #HealthcareInnovation #STEM #MedicalEducation #ScienceVsHype #DiagnosticDetectives

🦠✈️ SUPERSTAT: Catching the Travel Bug(s) — PART 2 ✈️🦠

We’re back for Part 2 of our global microbiology adventure with co-host and microbiology superstar Aaron Odegard 🔬

This episode goes even deeper into the bugs, bites, vectors, and vacation souvenirs nobody asked for. From emerging infectious diseases to the diagnostic challenges laboratorians face when patients return home sick, we’re talking all things travel micro.

🦟 Mosquitoes? Unfortunately yes.
🧫 Rare organisms? Absolutely.
👀 Wild case scenarios that make microbiologists immediately ask, “Did they travel recently?” Also yes.

Aaron breaks down:
🌍 Why travel history matters more than people think
🧪 How the microbiology lab helps narrow the differential
🦠 Organisms that are expanding into new regions
🤒 The overlap between public health, diagnostics, and global movement
🎙️ And a few stories that may make you rethink swimming in mystery water abroad

🎧 Streaming now wherever you get your podcasts!

#SUPERSTAT #Microbiology #TravelMedicine #LaboratoryMedicine #ClinicalMicrobiology #InfectiousDisease #PublicHealth #MedLab #ScienceTok #MicrobeTok #HealthcarePodcast #Diagnostics #MedicalScience #LabLife #TravelBugs #DiseaseDetection #Virology #Parasitology #HealthcareEducation #STEMTok #PodcastRecommendations #HealthcareHeroes #MedicalLaboratoryScientist #TravelTok #ScienceCommunication #GlobalHealth #ForYouPage #FYP

Pack your bag but maybe also pack some PPE 👀

This week on SUPERSTAT, we kick off a TWO-PART deep dive into the bugs you can pick up while traveling — from tropical diseases and foodborne nightmares to the headline-grabbing infections everyone suddenly Googles mid-flight.

Leading the show is microbiology superstar and fan-favorite co-host Aaron Odegard, bringing the perfect mix of microbiology knowledge, real-world diagnostics, and just enough chaos to make you rethink airport snacks forever.

🌎 What actually matters clinically?
🦟 Which travel-associated infections are rising?
🧫 How does the laboratory help identify these organisms quickly?

👀 And yes, he'll talk about THAT hantavirus conversation everyone saw online.

Whether you’re a laboratorian, healthcare professional, science nerd, or just someone who now side-eyes hotel ice buckets, this episode is for you.

#SUPERSTAT #Microbiology #TravelMedicine #ClinicalMicrobiology #LaboratoryMedicine #InfectiousDisease #Hantavirus #MedLab #SciencePodcast #Diagnostics #PublicHealth #TravelBugs #HealthcarePodcast #LabLife #MedicalScience #MicrobeTok #DiseaseDetection #PointOfCare #HealthcareEducation #AaronOdegard

Digital Twins in Healthcare?! 🤖🧪

Medicine is officially entering sci-fi territory.

This week on SUPERSTAT, join co-host Dr. Melody Boudreaux Nelson as she dives into the world of digital twins. These are virtual, AI-powered models of patients built using laboratory data, imaging, wearables, genetics, and clinical history to potentially predict disease and personalize treatment.

Sounds futuristic? It’s already happening.

This episode breaks down:
🧬 What digital twins actually are
📊 Why laboratory data may be the foundation of the entire model
❤️ How researchers are already using digital heart twins
🧪 Why diagnostics and laboratorians MUST have a seat at the table

#SUPERSTAT #DigitalTwins #ArtificialIntelligence #AIinHealthcare #LaboratoryMedicine #MedLab #MedicalLaboratoryScientist #PrecisionMedicine #Diagnostics #HealthcareInnovation #DigitalHealth #FutureOfMedicine #ClinicalLaboratory #HealthcareTechnology #Pathology #Biomarkers #HealthTech #DataScience #MedTech #LabLife

This SUPERSTAT episode delves into the controversy surrounding high COVID IgG titers and their potential impact on health. It also addresses the challenges of public misinterpretation of lab results, the implications of on-demand testing and accessible platforms, and the ownership of lab result interpretation.

Takeaways

• High COVID IgG titers may not necessarily be harmful
• Public misinterpretation of lab results is a growing concern

#SUPERSTAT
#LabMedicine
#ClinicalChemistry
#COVIDIgG
#Immunology
#DirectToConsumer
#OnDemandTesting
#DigitalHealth
#ValueBasedCare
#LabValue
#MythBusting
#ScienceTok