Volume 83 - Winter 2003	Download

CEO's Corner by Olive M. Kimball, PhD, EdD NAACLS Chief Executive Officer

As this issue of the NAACLS News goes to press we are in the first days of the new year. The year 2002 was a year of both challenges and significant accomplishments for NAACLS. Many of these accomplishments are outlined in the President's Message within the 2002 Annual Report. Now we are taking on the challenges of the year 2003, a year that will mark the 30th anniversary of the creation of NAACLS. The year will bring its own opportunities for celebration as well as for accomplishments.

Thirty years ago when it was created, NAACLS was charged with accrediting educational programs in the clinical laboratory sciences, and the agency was unique in that the sponsoring organizations relinquished approval of Essentials to the NAACLS Board. At that time, it accredited the technologist and technician programs in CLS and in HT. Since 1973 the Board has approved Essentials and Standards for several additional areas of responsibility, such as for programs preparing the phlebotomist, cytogenetic technologist, pathologists' assistant, clinical assistant and diagnostic molecular scientist.

Along with the addition of a variety of laboratory programs NAACLS has actively reached out to the related professional organizations and to other bodies engaged in accreditation or in the recognition of accrediting agencies. With these changes came increasing recognition of NAACLS on the part of the educational community.

Independence from CAHEA was followed by formal recognition by the US Department of Education and, more recently, by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Working closely with these organizations and with the Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA) provided opportune forums to explain our philosophy and vision to the public. I believe that in the past few years NAACLS activities have served to enhance awareness of the overall value of specialized accreditation to academia as well as the appreciation of widespread efforts to streamline the accreditation processes.

I recently had the opportunity to verify this enhanced awareness first hand through attendance at the United States Department of Education (USDE) meetings of the National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity (NACIQI). This is the committee that recommends to the Secretary of Education the recognition of accrediting bodies.

NAACLS voluntarily withdrew from recognition by USDE (which is responsible for the NACIQI's activities) and so is no longer on that committee's agenda. For the December meeting, however, ASPA was asked to meet with the committee, to describe the purposes of the organization and to explain the issues which it is addressing. As Chair of the ASPA Board, I was invited to attend in support of the ASPA Executive Director and to answer questions. A representative of the regional accreditors was also invited and there was discussion and commendation of the collaborative activities between these agencies.

During the time that we in NAACLS were seeking and maintaining recognition by USDE, there were several occasions when it was necessary for a NAACLS representative to attend these NACIQI meetings and to testify on NAACLS behalf. It has now been three years since I did so. At this last meeting I was very favorable impressed with the change of approach that the committee chair and committee members took. It seemed to me that there was increased respect for not only these two invited speakers and their broad constituencies, but a more general understanding of the value placed on the accreditation processes.

There was also significant interest on the part of the committee in understanding the backgrounds of accrediting agency staff and volunteers who were up for recognition and providing testimony. As they appeared before the committee, all were asked to provide for the audience a statement of their educational and experiential backgrounds. It soon became very obvious that there was significant expertise within the agencies and that accreditation volunteers and staff provide a wealth of outstanding leaders in the diverse fields.

I came away from the meetings with renewed pride in NAACLS and assurance that NAACLS has continued to grow in stature as an accrediting body and in development of new alliances. There is much broader recognition within the higher education community about the value of accreditation than I believe there was even a few short years ago. In times of tight budget there is still concern about costs, but there is much less concern about institutions being 'overrun' by accreditors.

While it is not likely NAACLS will again seek USDE recognition, we must continue to be active within accreditation circles. The Secretary of Education is soliciting comments from interested parties on proposals for amending and extending the Higher Education Act (HEA). The Act is scheduled to be reauthorized in 2003. It is important that we in accreditation have input into the next HEA reauthorization for what happens in the political arena for the reauthorization will impact all of us, whether or not we are recognized by USDE. We have that input not only through our own efforts but through our association with organizations such as ASPA and CHEA.

Hundreds of NAACLS volunteers have played significant roles in reaching the positive position NAACLS has attained and have contributed much to the improved understanding of our mission. For 30 years of dedicated service we thank you, the volunteers, and trust that you will join with us, not only to quietly celebrate the 30th anniversary of NAACLS, but to actively foster continued implementation of positive change for accreditation.

Top of the News
			A Request for Nominations
			Board of Directors Update (From the September 21, 2002 Meeting)
			Cross-Referencing Phlebotomist Competencies, Objectives and Evaluation Mechanisms to Didactic and Clinical Experiences by Karen Madsen Myers, MA, MT(ASCP), CLS(NCA) Member, PARC
			NAACLS to Accredit Cytogenetic Technology Programs by Lucille Contois, MA, MT(ASCP) Vice President, NAACLS Board of Directors
			President's Report The Integration of Practical and Liberal Education: Greater Expectations for the 21st Century, or Are NAACLS and Laboratory Educat by Kathy V. Waller PhD, CLS (NCA) President, NAACLS Board of Directors
			Programs to be Site Visited Spring/Summer 2003 Cycle
Features
			CEO's Corner by Olive M. Kimball, PhD, EdD NAACLS Chief Executive Officer
			Dr. NAACLS Advice for Accredited and Approved Programs
			NAACLS Computer Update by Elizabeth Everson Computer Information Services Coordinator
Other News
			Call for Anecdotal Stories About the Professions

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