EVANSVILLE – Indiana University School of Medicine is expanding its Bachelor of Science Medical Laboratory Scientist Program to the IU School of Medicine Campus in Evansville, Indiana. This initiative is a response to the intensifying national shortage of medical laboratory scientists, which poses a significant threat to the delivery of quality patient care across the United States.
Medical laboratory scientists are essential health care professionals who perform highly complex laboratory tests that inform the diagnosis and treatment of patients. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a nationwide need for a 13% increase in medical laboratory technologists and technicians between 2016 and 2026. This increase is nearly twice the national average for all jobs, which highlights the urgent need for more trained professionals in this field.
This expansion is funded through a collaboration between the IU School of Medicine Department of Pathology and Deaconess Health System. The program aims to educate and prepare students to enter this critical profession, thereby increasing the capacity of regional health care partners to provide the best care for patients in the tri-state region.
“Investing in this new program at a time when other similar programs around the country are closing due to funding challenges reflects our strong commitment to improving the health and wellness of the people of Indiana and beyond,” said Matthew Kuhar, MD, Vice Chair for Education in the IU School of Medicine Department of Pathology.
The expanded program will be directed by Nick Brehl, MED, and commence classes in August 2024. The inaugural class has four students, with plans to increase enrollment to 24 students over the next few years. Graduates of the program will be equipped with the knowledge, competencies and professionalism necessary to practice in clinical laboratories and sit for the national certification exam.
"This expansion represents a significant step forward in addressing the critical shortage of Medical Laboratory Scientists,” said James Porter, MD, President of Physician Enterprise at Deaconess. “By increasing our capacity to train new professionals locally, we are not only enhancing the quality of patient care but also contributing to the resilience of our healthcare system."
Students interested in the program can contact Kimberly Shea, education manager for the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.
MEDIA KIT: Download high-quality photos and videos for this story.
About the IU School of Medicine
The IU School of Medicine is the largest medical school in the U.S. and is annually ranked among the top medical schools in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. The school offers high-quality medical education, access to leading medical research and rich campus life in nine Indiana cities, including rural and urban locations consistently recognized for livability. According to the Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research, the IU School of Medicine ranks No. 13 in 2023 National Institutes of Health funding among all public medical schools in the country.
Writer: Cathy Zimmermann, cjzimmer@iu.edu
Source: Kimberly Shea, kimshea@iu.edu
For more news, visit the IU School of Medicine Newsroom: medicine.iu.edu/news
Follow us on X: @IUMedSchool