UW’s Doxtater Appointed to National Laboratory Governance Board

Jed Doxtater, the University of Wyoming's Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) Program director, has been appointed to the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) governance board.

According to the NAACLS website, "NAACLS is committed to being the premier accreditation agency for ensuring the advancement of education in clinical laboratory sciences and related health care disciplines provided by domestic and international programs." This includes UW's MLS Program, which is part of the School of Pharmacy in the College of Health Sciences and physically located at UW-Casper.

Doxtater will serve a four-year term on the board, and, along with 11 other board members, will oversee the accreditation process for establishing the educational standards in clinical laboratory science disciplines. These disciplines include biomedical science; cytogenetic technologist; diagnostic molecular scientist; doctoral clinical laboratory scientist; histotechnician; histotechnologist; medical laboratory assistant; medical laboratory microbiologist; and medical laboratory scientist.

"It is a tremendous honor to be elected to the NAACLS Board of Directors. Since stepping into the MLS Program director role in 2015, I have had the privilege of working closely with this accrediting body and have consistently been impressed by its supportive leadership and unwavering commitment to educational excellence," Doxtater says. "I look forward to learning from the current directors, committee members and staff, and to contributing to NAACLS' mission at a broader level while upholding the high standards for which the organization is widely recognized."

Patricia Tille, a professor and graduate program director with the MLS master's and doctoral programs, part of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, was one of Doxtater's nominators.

"There are several reasons why he was included in the nomination. First, he is a very dedicated and passionate educator, as was evident from the first time I met Jed and remains true to this day," Tille says. "I also have had many opportunities to interact with Jed and the faculty of UW and Casper College at national meetings. And lastly, but not the least, I looked at the geographic and demographic representation on the NAACLS Board, and Jed brings his experience and expertise from a very rural area that really benefits from innovative programs, such as the MLT to MLS program at UW. Because of the innovative strategies that they have implemented and the success of the program, I feel Jed brings a unique perspective to the Board of Directors that was not evident."

The UW MLS Program curriculum is based on major requirements at UW's College of Health Sciences, and program specific requirements for NAACLS accreditation. Required coursework is administered in either a synchronous or asynchronous online format, or in a distance hybrid manner. The MLS Program's specific course content encompasses such disciplines as clinical chemistry; hematology; immunology; immunohematology; microbiology; laboratory management; clinical research design; and laboratory education methodology.

Graduates who enter the multitiered fields of MLS are highly skilled professionals, qualified by academic and applied science education. They use state-of-the-art instrumentation and methodologies to develop, perform, evaluate and correlate laboratory testing while assuring quality and accuracy.

Charlie Cruz, an associate lecturer and specialist in microbiology in the MLS Program, points to Doxtater's servant/leader approach as program director as a factor to the success of students, faculty and stakeholders.

"Working with Jed as a manager and leader creates an optimal environment for efficiently completing my daily tasks and achieving my goals," Cruz says. "He is a team player and committed to ensuring the success of the MLS Program, our students, faculty and other stakeholders. I enjoy his approach to brainstorming almost every morning during the first hour, not only when we have challenges, but also when we celebrate milestones. No doubt, his appointment to the NAACLS board is a well-deserved feat, and it brings honor to the University of Wyoming."

Kem Krueger, dean of the UW School of Pharmacy, explains, from a school perspective, the importance of Doxtater's leadership and his expanding role in the NAACLS board.

"Being elected to the NAACLS board of directors is a testament to Jed's vision not only for our MLS Program, but for the profession as a whole," Krueger says. "His national notoriety is great for the program and for the University of Wyoming."

"I am delighted to share the news of Jed Doxtater's appointment to the NAACLS Board of Directors for a four-year term," says College of Health Sciences Dean Patrick Hardigan. "This prestigious role recognizes his visionary leadership in our accredited MLS program and his unique contributions, particularly his rural insights into national standards for clinical laboratory sciences. Jed's collaborative spirit has been instrumental in the success of our students, faculty and stakeholders, significantly boosting the College of Health Sciences and the University of Wyoming."

To learn more about UW's MLS Program, visit https://www.uwyo.edu/pharmacy/mls-program/index.html.