R 247
2026 -- H 8443
Enacted 04/14/2026

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

     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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