Training tomorrow’s healthcare heroes: MCTC celebrates Medical Laboratory Professionals Weeks

Published on Apr 22, 2025

By Rachel Adkins

This week marks the 50th anniversary of Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, a national celebration recognizing the dedicated professionals who work behind the scenes to support patient health through accurate and timely laboratory testing.

Laboratory results contribute to 70–80 percent of the diagnostic information used by healthcare providers to diagnose and treat disease. Though Medical Laboratory Professionals often have minimal direct patient contact, they play a vital role in the healthcare field, ensuring high standards in diagnosis, treatment, and patient safety.

In recognition of their indispensable contributions, Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear has issued an official proclamation designating April 20–26, 2025, as Medical Laboratory Professionals Week in the commonwealth. 

The proclamation commends laboratory professionals for several things including: enabling medical and treatment decisions through test results, supporting modern medicine with essential diagnostic data, monitoring public health threats, and contributing to patient care in several roles.

Roles include scientists, technicians, pathologists, phlebotomists, and lab assistants.

At Maysville Community & Technical College, we proudly support this mission by preparing the next generation of laboratory professionals through our Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program. This accredited, hands-on program trains students to perform a wide range of diagnostic tests that are essential in detecting, diagnosing, and monitoring disease.

Students in the program gain real-world experience in laboratory disciplines including microbiology, hematology, serology, immunohematology, urinalysis and clinical chemistry. The curriculum features:

• A two-year Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree
• Certificate options such as Phlebotomist and Phlebotomy for the Health Care Worker
• 500 to 600 hours of clinical experience in real healthcare settings
• Small class sizes with expert instruction on the Maysville and Rowan Campuses

MCTC’s MLT program is a strong pathway to a meaningful and high-demand career. Program graduates join a vital workforce that makes patient care possible every day.

For more information about the MLT program, please contact Michelle Thoroughman, MS, MLS (ASCP), Program Coordinator, at (606) 301-6077 or michelle.thoroughman@kctcs.edu.