At APHL , we ’ re excited to celebrate all staff in public health laboratories — everyone from microbiologists to maintenance teams , from informaticians to information technology specialists and beyond deserves to be recognized .

Whether through newborn screening , environmental testing , foodborne illness outbreak detection , infectious disease testing , biological threat monitoring or so much more , public health laboratories are working hard to keep communities safe .

And even though that work often happens behind the scenes , we want to voice our appreciation as openly and loudly as possible ! Because everyone working at public health laboratories deserves to be celebrated !

Be sure to follow and subscribe so you don ’ t miss a thing !

• Follow APHL on Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn

• Like APHL on Facebook

• Join our Facebook Group Off the Bench

• Subscribe to the APHL Blog and Lab Culture Podcast

Use and follow # ThanksPHLabs throughout September to join the conversation on social media !

Celebration Toolkit We have other creative ideas for you to get the word out , give thanks , and engage staff and the public . All of our suggestions for laboratory leaders , staff , partners and community members can be found at www . aphl . org / ThanksPHLabs

Use our sample graphics and posts from the toolkit on your own social networks .

Microbe Masterpieces Contest — Cultivate Your Creativity ! Trillions of microbes co-exist in our world , yet they are invisible to the naked eye . Their variety and hidden beauty are things scientists can showcase .

Create an artwork of a microbe or microbial colony . Sketch , paint , sculpt , photograph — use ANY technique you like ! Submit your masterpiece to PHLinfo @ qiagen . com and win prizes . Look for more details during the month !

Sponsored by QIAGEN , APHL Diamond Level Sustaining Member