On Friday, June 28, 2024, the Trinity Health System School of Medical Laboratory Science graduated their fifth class, composed of Megan K. Baldy and Rachel E. Trolio. The graduation ceremony was held at Trinity West Chapel with a reception following in the private dining room.
The THS MLS program runs for 11 months and is open to those who have a BS in Biology or a related field or who attend Youngstown State University and major in MLS.
“This year’s class was very dedicated to the program,” Constance L. Moore, M.Ed., MLS (ASCP)CM, Program Director, Trinity Health System School of Medical Laboratory Science, said. “They showed their enthusiasm for the profession by participating in presentations to local elementary, junior high, and high school students as well as manning a booth outside of the hospital cafeteria with games and prizes during National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week.”
Baldy graduated from Franciscan University with a Bachelor of Science in Biology before coming into the program. Trolio is a Youngstown State University senior who obtained credits through the program to fulfill requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science.
During the THS MLS program, students are exposed to every aspect of the clinical lab, including Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Immunology, Urinalysis, and Blood Bank, in both practicum and didactic instruction.
The MLS program culminates with a certificate that allows the graduates to take a national certification exam through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
“I would love for the community to realize that hospital laboratories must employ quality, highly educated professionals, in order to ensure reliable patient results,” Moore said.
While most patients see doctors, nurses, and other allied health professionals, including the phlebotomist who draws a patient’s blood, medical laboratory scientists and technicians perform complex tests behind the scenes, both manually and on sophisticated instruments, from which doctors will base their decisions about diagnosis and treatment.
“Our program at Trinity is essential to the education of these professionals,” Moore said. “And it is my hope that word will get out about the program so that more students will become interested in the medical laboratory science profession and opt to be interviewed for a spot in our future classes. Also, we hope to obtain more affiliation agreements with other universities, like the one we have with YSU.”
The Trinity Health System School of Medical Laboratory Science program has been awarded an ASCP grant of $2500 for program resources and outreach projects that will be implemented to generate awareness of the program and the field of laboratory medicine.
According to Moore, the THS MLS School has a 100 percent graduation rate, 100 percent employment rate, 91 percent pass rate for certification, and full accreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
More information can be found at www.trinityhealth.com under the “Services” tab or by contacting Connie Moore at 740-264-8447 or email at conniemoore@trinityhealth.com.
If you would like to interview Connie Moore for your publication or broadcast, please let Laurie Labishak know using the information in the header of this press release.
Caption for the attached photo: The Trinity Health System School of Medical Laboratory Science graduated their fifth class on June 28. From L to R: Connie Moore, Program Director; Rachel E. Trolio, graduate; Megan K. Baldy, graduate; Theresa Clark, Market Director, Laboratories; Sarah Taylor, MLT(ASCP), faculty; Geno Taglione, Market Director, Human Resources; and Liz Shriner, Market Director, Mission.
