Associated Press CLASS OF 2024 — The Trinity Health System School of Medical Laboratory Science graduated its fifth class on June 28. On hand were, from left, Connie Moore, program director; Rachel E. Trolio, graduate; Megan K. Baldy, graduate; Theresa Clark, market director, laboratories; Sarah Taylor, faculty; Geno Taglione, market director, human resources; and Liz Shriner, market director, mission.

STEUBENVILLE — The Trinity Health System School of Medical Laboratory Science graduated its fifth class, composed of Megan K. Baldy and Rachel E. Trolio.

The graduation ceremony was held June 28 at Trinity Medical Center West Chapel with a reception following in the private dining room.

The program runs for 11 months and is open to those who have a bachelor of science in biology or a related field or who attend Youngstown State University and major in medical laboratory science

“This year’s class was very dedicated to the program,” said Constance L. Moore, program director. “They showed their enthusiasm for the profession by participating in presentations to local elementary, junior high and high school students as well as staffing a booth outside of the hospital cafeteria with games and prizes during National Medical Laboratory Professionals Week.”

Baldy graduated from Franciscan University of Steubenville with a bachelor of science in biology before coming into the program. Trolio is a Youngstown State University senior who obtained credits through the program to fulfill requirements for a bachelor of science degree in medical laboratory science.

During the THS MLS program, students are exposed to every aspect of the clinical lab, including chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, urinalysis and blood bank, in both practicum and didactic instruction. The MLS program culminates with a certificate that allows the graduates to take a national certification exam through the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

“I would love for the community to realize that hospital laboratories must employ quality, highly educated professionals in order to ensure reliable patient results,” Moore said.

While most patients see doctors, nurses and other allied health professionals, including the phlebotomist who draws a patient’s blood, medical laboratory scientists and technicians perform complex tests behind the scenes, manually and on sophisticated instruments, from which doctors will base their decisions about diagnosis and treatment.

“Our program at Trinity is essential to the education of these professionals,” Moore said. “And it is my hope that word will get out about the program so that more students will become interested in the medical laboratory science profession and opt to be interviewed for a spot in our future classes. Also, we hope to obtain more affiliation agreements with other universities, like the one we have with YSU.”

The Trinity program has received an ASCP grant of $2,500 for program resources and outreach projects that will be implemented to generate awareness of the program and the field of laboratory medicine.

According to Moore, the Trinity school has a 100 percent graduation rate, 100 percent employment rate, 91 percent pass rate for certification and full accreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

Information can be found at trinityhealth.com under the “services” tab or by contacting Moore at (740) 264-8447 or by e-mail at conniemoore@trinityhealth.com