2026 -- H 8443

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LC004537

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING APRIL 19-25 OF 2026 TO BE "MEDICAL LABORATORY

PROFESSIONALS WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Shallcross Smith, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Alzate, Solomon, Baginski, Furtado, Place, and Read

     Date Introduced: April 14, 2026

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Medical Laboratory Professionals Week began in 1975 as National Medical

Laboratory Week under the auspices of the American Society for Medical Technology; and

     WHEREAS, The 2026 theme for Medical Laboratory Professionals Week is “Lab Story:

To Infinity and Beyond For Our Patients”. This theme highlights the expansive reach and crucial

role of lab professionals in patient care, diagnosis and treatment, highlighting their journey and

impact; and

     WHEREAS, The health and well-being of all Rhode Islanders depends upon educated

minds and trained hands; and

     WHEREAS, The practice of modern medicine at the exacting standards we now enjoy

would be impossible without the accurate and timely scientific tests performed daily in medical

laboratories across the state; and

     WHEREAS, Maintenance of these standards and progress toward improvement in the

quality of laboratory services depends on the dedicated efforts of professional clinical laboratory

science practitioners; and

     WHEREAS, Through this dedication, medical laboratory professionals in Rhode Island

and across the United States have made vital contributions to the quality of our nation's health

care; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

proclaims April 19-25 of 2026 to be "Medical Laboratory Professionals Week" in the State of

Rhode Island in recognition of the essential contributions of these professionals; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That this House furthermore thanks all of the dedicated laboratory

professionals in the State of Rhode Island who work tirelessly to protect the health and safety of

our State's residents; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Director of the Rhode Island Department of

Health, Dr. Jerome Larkin, MD, Maddie Josephs, Chair, Allied and Rehabilitative Health at

CCRI, Leslie Martineau, Director, Laboratory Services, Wound Clinic and Sleep Disorder Center

at CharterCARE Health Partners, and Betsy Reilly, Retired Cytotechnologist and Laboratory

Manager at Women & Infants Hospital.

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LC004537

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