Mad Scientist Running Laura Gary

Laboratory Professionals

What is a Medical Laboratory Scientist?
Laura Gary, MLS(ASCP)CM

The Hidden Heroes of Healthcare

When people think about hospital heroes, they imagine doctors, nurses, and surgeons. But behind every diagnosis, behind every life-saving decision, there’s a laboratory professional analyzing the data that makes modern medicine possible.

Can you look at this photo and know if that's normal or a pathogen? Probably not... but your team of medical laboratory professionals can!

This is what we learn in school. It's a combination of Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, Immunology, Coagulation, Transfusion Medicine, and other areas of study that are combined to help give the doctors accurate and reliable results on the tests they order.

What is Medical Laboratory Science?

Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) are the detectives of healthcare.

   •   We analyze blood, tissue, and fluid samples to detect diseases, infections, and organ function.
   •   We work behind the scenes to provide doctors with the vital information they need to diagnose and treat patients.
   •   We don’t guess—we test. From COVID-19 to cancer screenings, lab results drive 70% of all medical decisions.

Not Just a Job—A Calling

I didn’t find my career as a Medical Laboratory Scientist until I was 30 years old. As a single mother of four kids, I went back to school, determined to build a future in a field that fascinated me. Just like running a marathon, the path wasn’t easy. But I put in the miles, overcame setbacks, and pursued a career I love.

Today, I bring that same endurance mindset to the lab. Every test I run, every result I verify, is part of a larger mission—to help patients get answers, doctors make decisions, and healthcare move forward.

Medical Laboratory Science: A Career More People Should Know About

One of the biggest challenges in healthcare today is that few people know about this field. It’s a highly specialized profession that requires technical expertise, problem-solving, and critical thinking. It’s not just one job—it’s an entire field with opportunities for everyone, from high school graduates to PhDs. Yet, we face a workforce shortage. More people need to know this career exists.

That’s why I run marathons in my lab coat. That’s why I speak at schools and events... because if just one student sees what I do and thinks, “That’s the career for me,” then every mile I run is worth it.

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