Training the Next Generation of Laboratorians: Inside the MLS School at PAH

InFocus  •  Winter 2025 Issue  •  March 24, 2025

Training the next generation of Medical Laboratory Scientists is vital to ensuring the continued advancement of patient care, as they provide essential diagnostic insights that drive effective treatments and improve outcomes. We are fortunate to have an excellent program within Penn Medicine dedicated to equipping the next generation of laboratorians with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in a fast-evolving healthcare landscape – the School of Medical Laboratory Science at Pennsylvania Hospital (PAH).

The School of Medical Laboratory Science functions within the general structure of the Ayer Clinical Laboratory. It is supported by Pennsylvania Hospital as part of a commitment to provide quality healthcare and education to the community. Being a part of the Penn Medicine system helps to provide students with unique educational experiences at top-tier hospitals and world-renown experts. Through a comprehensive curriculum and hands-on training over 11 months, students gain practical experience in diagnostic techniques, laboratory technology, and critical thinking.

Since it opened in 1946, the MLS School has grown and evolved to keep up with the many advances in healthcare and the changing needs of its students. The boom of virtual learning during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and the decline in students entering the field inspired a taskforce, led by Bill Hunt, Senior Director of Operations at PAH, to examine teaching methods and curriculum and initiate a refresh of the program. Derick Lim, MS, SC(ASCP)CM, MLS(ASCP)CM assumed the role of Program Director in 2023 and has implemented several changes. As a graduate of the PAH MLS School himself, Derick brings unique perspective and experience to the role. The team has expanded their potential pipeline for students by executing partnerships with several additional regional colleges and universities. The program has pivoted to a more self-directed model, effectively utilizing Canvas, a learning management system supported by the University of Pennsylvania, to provide online didactic modules and computer-based testing. These updates have streamlined curriculum, improved the experience of both students and faculty, and allowed for steady growth in enrollment. In 2023, the program could only accept nine students annually; 16 MLS students were accepted for 2025, split between a Fall Cohort (beginning in late August) and a Spring Cohort (beginning in January).  

Students complete rotations through various sections of the clinical laboratory across the downtown hospitals, including blood bank, chemistry, microscopy, hematology, microbiology, immunology/virology, and urinalysis. After excellent experiences with their didactic and clinical instructors, many students are inspired to join the Penn Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine for the first jobs in the field. 80% of graduates from May 2024 are currently employed by Penn Medicine. PAH MLS School alumni are currently working in more than 10 laboratories at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, as well as numerous laboratories at Pennsylvania Hospital, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, and Chester County Hospital.

Cristabel Ruiz is a Medical Laboratory Scientist in Microbiology at Pennsylvania Hospital. Cristabel was originally hired as a medical transcriptionist for the Pathology Department. After volunteering at a COVID-19 testing site, she transferred to Central Receiving and Processing, then began to help as a processor in Microbiology. She fell in love with the department and took advantage of the MLS Program in 2022. When reflecting on her time as a student, Cristabel relayed, “The best part about our MLS program was how they worked with me to make sure I could maintain my part time status with Penn Medicine and still fulfill the requirements of the program. It was a great pathway to continue my career growth with Penn Medicine.”

Jessica Thummel, a Point-of-Care Coordinator at Pennsylvania Hospital, enrolled in the program in 2021. After graduation, she was hired in the Central Receiving and Processing and subsequently worked in Microbiology. After three years there, she continued her professional growth by joining the Point-of-Care Team. Jessica says, “Without the MLS Program, I would not have discovered the different areas of the laboratory that I have grown to love. I have been able to explore different departments and find myself in a position that is best suited to my talents and that I truly enjoy.”

The School for Medical Laboratory Science at PAH not only prepares students for the challenges of the profession but also ensures they are ready to make meaningful contributions to patient care and medical advancements.

If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact Program Director Derick Lim at derick.lim@pennmedicine.upenn.edu.