The Bacteriology Unit show their team spirit during Lab Week.  This unit performs a wide range of analyses, ranging from STD to Foodborne Outbreak testing in support of epidemiological investigations. L to R (front): Lynett Poventud, Gladys Maldonado, Rueei-Shu Li, and Tracie Jackson L to R (back): Nellie Luyanda, William Cheek, Calvin Stinson, Patricia Bennie, and Mary Hodel

The Georgia Public Health Laboratory (GPHL) proudly celebrated National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (NMLPW) and all of its professionals dedicated to providing high quality clinical laboratory diagnostics.  

This celebration was held from April 22nd-28, 2012 with the national theme, "Get Results" and a 2012 subtheme: "Without the Lab, You're Just Guessing." 

The Emergency Preparedness Team includes Training, BioWatch, Biological and Chemical Threat units This laboratory unit prepares State hospitals and other partners for emergencies and provides emergency response to biological and chemical threats that may occur within the State of Georgia. L to R (front): Harjinder Ghuman, Monica Youngblood, Dr. Woohyun Yoon, Angela Sharpe, and Lynn Jefferson L to R (back): David Freund, Ebony Porter, Kimberly Moss, Canditra McLemore, Hietza Santiago, Dr. LaTonya Clay, and Nije Thomas.

Serving the 159 counties in Georgia, GPHL operates with 17 laboratory units and processes approximately 600,000 specimens per year. This includes over six million laboratory tests performed by highly skilled, certified individuals. 

Elizabeth Franko, Dr.PH., serves as GPHL Laboratory Director and oversees the Central Facility, located in Decatur, as well as the Albany Regional Laboratory and the Waycross Public Health Laboratory.

The TB unit is responsible for Georgia's mycobacteriology testing.  This team offers molecular, microbiological, and biochemical analyses for the State. L to R (front, seated):Angela Reynolds, Samira Abdu Lto R (back, standing): Deborah Stephenson, Abdal Mahdi, Jane Bush

Laboratory testing at GPHL is a vital component of public health since the lab performs much of the presumptive and confirmatory testing for clinicians to diagnose, monitor and treat their patients. Although laboratorians use cutting edge equipment, it is the critical thinking, capabilities and experience of the laboratory professionals that make results accurate, timely and confidential for the people that GPHL serves.  This year's festivities were coordinated by a committee of LaTonya Clay, Ph.D., Michelle Kirk and several members of the management team at GPHL.  Lab Week began with a "Sweet Stuff" competition, judged by a panel of administrative personnel who were tasked with sampling several fine desserts.

First, second, and third place winners of the contests received cash awards, gift cards, cookbooks and other prizes donated by GPHL management and administration.

Elizabeth Franko and Michelle Kirk present Kim Kilgour (picture L to R) and the Immunology Unit   with the "Best Team Spirit" award during the Lab Week festivities.

A highlight of the Lab Week festivities was the "Guess Who?" game in which the backs of heads of several lab colleagues were secretly photographed.  Each participant received a handout to complete with the correct identity of their lab co-worker.  This activity generated much interaction and laughter among fellow employees. 

During the "Lab Day" event, Franko thanked laboratorians for their hard work and dedication with a pizza & salad luncheon where Georgia Faithful Service Awards were presented to GPHL employees. The 29 Service Awards that were distributed totaled well over 400 years of service to the citizens of Georgia. The GPHL-Decatur events culminated with two Zumba exercise sessions on Friday. The Albany and Waycross Regional Laboratories also celebrated Lab Week with activities and prizes as a way to say thank you to employees for their service and commitment. NMLPW creates an opportunity to acknowledge the dedication and commitment of the GPHL staff for their ongoing contribution to the work of public health in Georgia.