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Lab Test Online
had a birthday this year, and while there was no cake with candles,
there was plenty of celebrating - and plenty to celebrate. The US
site hosted its 100 millionth visitor in February, a Turkish
version of the site launched in March, and AACC launched a mobile
version for Apple and Android devices at the AACC meeting in
July.
Official anniversary festivities kicked off in May with a
reception for Lab Tests Online editors attending WorldLab in
Berlin. Representatives from 14 of the 17 Lab Tests Online sites
heard AACC President Ann Gronowski laud their contributions to the
cause of laboratory medicine, "Lab Tests Online has become a global
phenomenon - a global standard for patient education - because of
all of you. It has been your willingness to step forward to help
give a public voice to the laboratory profession, and your
commitment to supporting a model of patient education that has
exceeded our wildest dreams, that has made it all possible."
AACC continued the celebrations in Atlanta during its Annual
Meeting with frequent acknowledgements of Lab Tests Online's many
partners and sponsors, large banners adorning the halls of the
conference center, and two major events. At the first event,
AACC recognized the founding editors of the original site who have
committed thousands of volunteer hours to setting the standards for
its award-winning content. A video of this event can be seen on the
Lab Tests Online YouTube channel at http://youtu.be/5833t7LB6OI.
The second event, a banquet for national society presidents and
other VIPs from around the world, featured comments about Lab Tests
Online from AACC, IFCC, and other organizations. The poignant
remarks of IFCC President Graham Beastall best captured the
significance of the event. After telling two very personal stories
about how "clinical chemists change people's lives every day",
Beastall congratulated Lab Tests Online for showing the laboratory
community that it was possible to deliver this message to the
public at large. Dr. Beastall's full remarks are available
here.
In looking ahead to the next 10 years, Lab Tests Online expects
to continue to broaden its audience and to increasingly connect the
need for health literacy with the desire for stronger
doctor-patient collaboration and improved health outcomes.
A booklet commemorating Lab Tests Online first 10 years is
available
here.
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