Lab Matters Summer 2025 | Page 45

QUALITY SYSTEMS AND ANALYTICS

By Susan Baughman, MSW, senior specialist, Quality Systems and Analytics

The Regional Consortia allows APHL members to share testing services, expert guidance and resources with participating laboratories. One of their key activities is the Peer-to-Peer Learning Program. Since its inception in 2019, this program has allowed laboratory professionals to visit a fellow laboratory in the same regional consortium to receive a hands-on learning opportunity. To date, 27 laboratories have hosted 48 laboratorians representing 24 laboratories.

An analysis of over 40 post-trip reports and four in-depth interviews showed that participants gained firsthand experiences, professional connections and tangible resources that have lasting benefits.

The Power of Connection

A major outcome was the personalprofessional connections participants made. These important connections were a significant highlight in the post-trip reports and the in-depth interviews. A participant from the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene spoke about how this program gave her more resources, support, and partnerships with other environmental laboratories.

“ I was about a year and a half in as a director, and I was getting stressed out and burnt out. [ The trip ] gave me a renewed energy, it gave me ideas on how to approach structure and other things to improve the laboratory.”

Ryan Bernard, formerly from the Missouri State Public Health Laboratory, visited the Iowa State Hygienic Laboratory in February 2023.

“ Professionally, it generated a lot. Networking was phenomenal. I made connections that continue to impact me.”

Caitlin McDonnell from the Ohio Public Health Laboratory highlighted how she was able to develop a friendship with her host and how greatly that has benefitted her work.

“ Developing a relationship personally and professionally was the biggest impact and the longest-term impact... we continue to

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