Published April 18, 2024
CAPTION:One of the ULM MLS Bowl teams won first place at the annual bi-state meeting in Biloxi, Miss. (L-R) Emily Holloway, Diona Garcia,
Dylan Anderson (captain), Allison Dozier, Hannah Hudnall Photo Credit: Czen Tripathi
MONROE, LA – ULM Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) faculty and students attended the 2024 American
Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) of Louisiana and Mississippi Bi-State
Annual Meeting in Biloxi, Miss. on March 25 – 27, 2024. Twenty-five MLS students represented
ULM at the conference.
Kayleigh Watson, an MLS student from Harrisonburg, La., said, “This was my first Bi-State
Meeting, and I absolutely loved it! The meeting allowed us to meet fellow students
pursuing the MLS field and put our knowledge to the test through the student bowl
competitions. Everyone was supportive of each other. I am excited for what next year
will bring!”
Four ULM MLS student bowl teams practiced for weeks to perfect their MLS knowledge,
with one team taking first place in the competition. The members of the 1st place team are Dylan Andersen (captain), Allison Dozier, Diona Garcia, Emily Holloway
and Hannah Hudnall.
During the meeting, two ULM MLS students were elected as officers for the Louisiana
Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (LSCLS): Jacinth Ervin – Ascending Professional
Chair, and Lakayja Dupree – Ascending Professional Secretary. These two students will
have the opportunity to attend the ASCLS Joint Annual Meeting (JAM) in Pittsburgh,
Penn., this summer, and, in their positions, will work to promote and support the
MLS profession.
Two ULM MLS students received honors during the awards ceremony. Joanna King received
the Keys to the Future award and Surya Mulmi won the Betty Lynne Theriot Memorial
Scholarship.
Emilea Haddox, ULM MLS Assistant Professor and Clinical Coordinator, was awarded the
LSCLS 2024 Educator of the Year Award. Ms. Haddox was nominated by several of the
ULM MLS students for this prestigious honor.
Jessica Lasiter, ULM MLS Program Director, stated, “Our graduates are passionate about
healthcare and the medical laboratory. Seeing many of the ULM MLS alumni represent
their professional organization at the state, regional, and national level proves
the impact our MLS Program has on our students.”
Student attendance at the conference was made possible by a $3,000 scholarship given
by the ULM Student Enhancement Activity Fee Committee.
A medical laboratory scientist is a health care employee who performs tests on samples
from patients to assess the presence or absence of diseases. They play a crucial role
in the diagnosis, allowing doctors to identify the causes of the patients’ symptoms
for more accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.
The ULM Medical Laboratory Science Program is currently accepting applications for
the 2024-2025 academic year. 100% of ULM MLS graduates are employed within three months
of graduation. Learn more about the program and apply at www.ulm.edu/mls.
CAPTION: Twenty-five MLS students and several faculty members attended the bi-state meeting
in Biloxi, Miss. Photo credit: Czen Tripathi
