Belhaven Immunology Class Tours Baptist Lab During National Medical Laboratory Week

Jackson, Miss. - April 22, 2003 -- For many people, laboratory testing is an invisible side of medical care. However, according to the American Society of Clinical Pathology, 60-70 percent, and by some estimates, up to 80 percent of health care decisions, from diagnosis through therapy and prognosis, are derived from clinical laboratory tests.
From April 20 -26, 2003, Baptist Medical Center will be celebrating National Medical Laboratory Week and its role in promoting and protecting health.

On April 23, 2003 at 1:15 p.m., Dr. Robert Waltzer, a professor at Belhaven College, will bring his Immunology Class to tour Baptist's lab showcasing practical applications students will learn before the school semester is over.

"The clinical laboratory professional is a key member of today's health care team," said Pat Herrington, director of Baptist Medical Center laboratory. "Laboratory professionals have the skills to unlock important medical information that is pivotal to the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease."

Health care professionals depend on laboratory professionals to perform tests on body fluids, interpret the results, and help provide a complete picture of a patient's health. Using modern biomedical equipment and complicated analysis, Baptist laboratorians can detect the presence of cancer, identify infectious viruses and bacteria, and measure glucose, cholesterol or drug levels in blood.

"Without this precise and valuable information, medicine would simply become guess work." Herrington added. "We are using this week to educate the public on how important this occupation is for the health care industry. Internally, we are letting our Baptist lab professionals know how much we appreciate them."

Baptist challenges students to look at clinical laboratory science as a profession. For more information, visit the School of Medical Technology on Baptist's website at www.mbhs.org . Then, click on "For Health Professionals," or call the Baptist Health Line at 1-800-948-6262 or 948-6262.

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