SLU Medical Laboratory Science Program Director Awarded National Educational Grant

Saint Louis University (SLU) Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program Director Amanda Reed, MAE, MLS(ASCP)CM, was recently rewarded an American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Medical Laboratory Science Program Director Educational Grant for SLU’s MLS program. The $3,000 grant will go towards covering the installation of a Promethean Interactive Display with camera; an 86-inch, 4K quality Promethean screen; and additional screens throughout the MLS lab.

Amanda Reed, MAE, MLS(ASCP)CM, secured a national grant to help provide new technology throughout SLU's Biomedical Laboratory Science lab.

According to Promethean, the Promethean Interactive display is also a touchscreen that enhances interactivity within the class. With this technology, faculty and students can collaborate with up to 20 simultaneous touch points, resize, drag and move multiple windows to multitask and teach from several content types or apps at once. It lets instructors move freely and teach from anywhere in the classroom. During a lesson, the instructor can interact with shared screens directly from the ActivPanel - increasing student collaboration and participation. This provides the flexibility required for diverse networking needs and offers more classroom mobility.

Reed explained how the new technology will enhance the capabilities of the existing SLU MLS lab, helping both students and faculty.

“This technology will allow us to perform and record demonstrations at a distance, annotate microscopic images projected wirelessly from the microscope or videos and pictures streamed from a phone, graph data points and more,” Reed said. “This technology allows lessons to be delivered simultaneously for both students who attend class in person and for those connected remotely.”

Reed was very grateful and honored to be awarded the grant and the SLU MLS program was recognized by the ASCP. She was also grateful for the ongoing support of the project from Clinical Health Sciences Department Chair Amy Harkins, MBA, Ph.D., and Doisy College of Health Sciences Interim Dean Tricia Austin, Ph.D., PT, ATC. In addition, Reed acknowledged DCHS Assistant to the Dean Sue McGahan, MHI, RHIA, for coordinating the implementation of the upgrades between the university’s Facilities and Information Technology departments.

An image of the Promethean Display Panel.

Dr. Austin was thrilled to learn that Reed had been awarded the grant and that the college would be receiving these impressive technology upgrades.

“Professor Reed’s pursuit of funds to provide an enhanced learning environment for students is exciting and noteworthy,” Dr. Austin said. “We are thrilled to see this exciting development progress.”

ASCP Medical Laboratory Science Program Director Educational Grants are worth up to $10,000 and are given to help programs educate and empower future medical laboratory professionals. Grants are available for three funding categories: 1) program enrichment and expenses, 2) clinical sites or otherwise assisting site placements and 3) advertising outreach efforts to promote the profession to potential students.

Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of nearly 13,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of more than 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.