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LifeBridge Laboratories was recently named the 2006 Lab of the Year by Advance for Medical Laboratory Professionals. LifeBridge Health was chosen as the top lab from hundreds of nominations nationwide.

Each Laboratory of the Year nominee was judged in a variety of different areas including employee and patient satisfaction, community outreach events, encouraging innovative programs, and teamwork and good staff relations.

"Everyone in the department owns a piece of this award, not just the managers,” Dave Bennett, Pathology director, says. "Every staff member in the lab has a positive attitude and a willingness to go above and beyond.”

LifeBridge Laboratories stood out among the other nominees because of the its unique approach to department operations and values. In 2003, The LifeBridge Laboratories implemented the FISH (Fun Ideas Start Here) philosophy to encourage employees to think creatively throughout educational and team-building programs, which can be especially difficult in a fast-paced environment.

"The laboratory is full of rules and regulations; the FISH program enables employees to think outside the box,” says Donna Marquess, manager of the Blood Bank. "In addition to creativity, the FISH philosophy also stresses that employees ‘be here' at work, meaning they leave personal problems at the door so they are able to give 100 percent to their patients.”

The Lab of the Year Award also recognizes LifeBridge Laboratories' emphasis on employee development. The department has recently developed a career ladder, adding a medical technologist II position. Lab staff members are also encouraged to participate on multidisciplinary committees, particularly with the Nursing department, where regular communication has led to improved patient outcomes. Additionally, LifeBridge Laboratories has recently joined with Villa Julie College to create a bachelor's degree Medical Technology Program.

LifeBridge Laboratories is also dedicated to serving the greater Baltimore community. Beginning in 2004, staff members have been participating in Pathology Volunteer Day with Habitat for Humanity. More than 20 laboratory staff members have donated their time over six days, building four different houses in the community. The department also hosts open houses during Lab Week for high school and college students who might be interested in a career in pathology.

LifeBridge Health is a regional healthcare organization that includes Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Northwest Hospital Center, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, Jewish Convalescent & Nursing Home and related subsidiaries and affiliates.

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