Waterloo proclaims April 19–26 Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, honors Hawkeye student

The City of Waterloo proclaimed April 19–26 Medical Laboratory Professionals Week and honored a representative from Hawkeye Community College at a brief ceremony.

Mayor Bosen read the proclamation recognizing laboratory professionals "for their role in prevention, detection, diagnosis and response to public health emergencies" and declared the week in their honor. A city presenter read the full proclamation, which thanked laboratory staff for daily contributions to public health and encouraged citizens to recognize their work.

The recognition included brief remarks from Megan of Hawkeye Community College. "About 70 to 80% of medical decisions are guided by laboratory medicine," Megan said, describing laboratory technologists as a "hidden gem" in health care because they work behind the scenes. She encouraged residents who want to work in health care but prefer roles that are not patient-facing to consider medical laboratory technology.

Speakers and attendees praised the timeliness and reliability of laboratory work. Mayor Bosen said the city is grateful for the contribution of laboratory professionals: "You keep people healthy for us." Megan added an anecdote about lab turnaround times to illustrate how tests reach clinicians promptly and inform care decisions.

The proclamation lists occupations included under the recognition—pathologists, pathologist assistants, medical laboratory scientists and technicians, cytotechnologists, laboratory assistants, phlebotomists and clerical staff—and calls on citizens to join in acknowledging their contributions to the health and wellness of Waterloo, the state and the nation.

The ceremony concluded with thanks to the honoree from Hawkeye Community College and congratulations from city officials. No formal actions or votes were taken during the recognition.

The city’s proclamation establishes April 19–26 as Medical Laboratory Professionals Week in Waterloo and encourages continued public recognition of laboratory staff.