Celebrating Canadian Medical Laboratory Science

December 2, 2021
ILC

The CMHF welcomes the Indigo Lab Coat to Exhibit Hall in London, Ontario.

London, ON: The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) welcomes the Indigo Lab Coat to their Exhibit Hall located at 100 Kellogg Lane from December 2-13, 2021, in support of the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Scientists (CSMLS).

The Indigo Lab Coat represents the confidence, intelligence, ambition and devotion of Canadian medical laboratory professionals. Printed in microscopic type are the names of the lab tests performed 1.2 million times each day in Canada. To the human eye, it looks like an indigo-coloured lab coat, but a closer look reveals the critical tests that allow physicians to diagnose and treat thousands of health issues including cancer, auto-immune diseases, diabetes, and COVID-19.

“It's really important, particularly given the last two years, for the general public to understand the meaning of the behind-the-scenes work that our members do," said CSMLS chief executive Christine Nielsen. Often the unsung heroes of the health care system, the Indigo Lab Coat is a symbol of pride for medical lab professionals. “They are the ones behind every Canadian, working to keep us all healthy,” said Canadian Olympian and resident physician, Dr. Hayley Wickenheiser.

Many Canadians are unaware of the role these professionals play in providing accurate and timely test results to physicians and primary caregivers to help make critical medical decisions. “The Indigo Lab Coat is a unique way to put the field of medical laboratory science in the public eye, to really help them understand the scope of our work” said Viki Massey, retired London-based Medical Laboratory Professional. Looking to the future, “the lab coat will hopefully get younger people interested in exploring a career in medical laboratory science.”

The CMHF encourages nominations of leaders in the field of medical laboratory science. Canadian Medical Hall of Fame Laureates are Canadian citizens whose outstanding leadership and contributions to medicine and the health sciences, in Canada or abroad, have led to extraordinary improvements in human health. Their work may be a single meritorious contribution or a lifetime of superior accomplishments. Pioneers in their field, they are role models who inspire young Canadians to pursue careers in the health sciences. Nomination information can be found here: https://cdnmedhall.ca/nominate

Learn more about the Indigo Lab Coat here: https://www.indigolabcoat.ca/

ABOUT THE CANADIAN MEDICAL HALL OF FAME
The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) celebrates Canadian heroes whose work advances health in Canada and the world and fosters future generations of health professionals through the delivery of local and national youth education programs and awards. This enduring tribute to our country’s rich medical achievement and history is showcased on our virtual hall at www.cdnmedhall.ca.

ABOUT THE CANADIAN SOCIETY FOR MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTISTS
The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) is the national certifying body for medical laboratory technologists and medical laboratory assistants, and the national professional society for Canada's medical laboratory professionals. We are a not-for-profit organization that is funded entirely by membership dues and revenues from goods and services.

MEDIA CONTACT
Laura Neil, Communications Officer
Canadian Medical Hall of Fame
519.221.0094 | lneil@cdnmedhall.ca

About the CMHF

The Canadian Medical Hall of Fame (CMHF) celebrates Canadian heroes whose work advances health in Canada and the world, fostering future generations of health professionals through the delivery of local and national youth education programs and awards.

This enduring tribute to our country’s rich medical history is showcased here and in our physical exhibit hall in London, ON