RoK Diagnostics Podcast

Contact Tywauna -  Linkedin @Tywauna wilson Contact us - podcast@rokdiagnostics.com

Medical Laboratory Science is a sometimes unappreciated and underpaid profession. Especially because most people are not even aware of the profession. Some people also think that this career is mediocre and not glamorous. In this episode, Princess Chinelo explains why she believes medical laboratory science should not be thought of as less than medicine.

In this episode, we discuss whether students who applied for medicine should be allowed to automatically get into medical laboratory science. We're joined by Idris Tajudeen, a current medical laboratory student who has some strong opinions on this topic. He also shares the story of how he ended up in medical laboratory science.

Here's interesting news: laboratory waste doesn't need to involve management. While many companies are implementing new policies and procedures for laboratory waste, it's important to remember that the lab is the place where laboratory professionals work. We as laboratory professionals need to deal with lab waste efficiently to better protect ourselves. We know that you're working hard to keep your lab running smoothly, but how much time do you spend thinking about your lab's waste? 

As a scientist, and using his past military experience, Jeffery Couchot creates tools and processes to help scientists be more efficient in the laboratory.    These tools can be physical or digital in nature and all have the aim to allow his team to be quick and accurate in their analysis, so that the highest-quality results can be delivered to patients.

You may have heard the stories of babies who were born with HIV and didn't get tested until they were 18 months old—and then found out they had been infected for over a year. What could have been done? We discuss that during this episode.

Sickle Cell Anemia is a disease you don't hear about often, but it affects over 100,000 people in the US and millions of people around the world.  If you haven't heard of Sickle Cell Anemia before, you're not alone. Like many rare diseases, it's not widely recognized as an important public health concern. But if you know someone with sickle cell anemia, you can help by raising awareness about this disease and fighting for more research funding for adults with the condition. It's a genetic condition that causes red blood cells to become rigid and sticky, which can lead to life-threatening complications like anemia and stroke. We need more research on how adults with Sickle Cell Anemia are impacted by their disease as they age. We also need more studies on how women with Sickle Cell Anemia handle pregnancy and childbirth—and how that impacts their children's health!

Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest threats to public health. It is an alarming increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria. For example, a study published in June 2022 in the Journal of Global Antimicrobial Resistance found that strains of E.coli resistant to colistin—an antibiotic considered as last resort because it was once reserved for only life-threatening infections—have spread globally. What is antibiotic resistance testing? Antibiotic resistance testing is a process that evaluates whether bacteria have developed resistance to antibiotics. These types of tests can determine whether the bacteria causing an infection are resistant to certain medications, helping doctors prescribe the right treatment(s). In this episode of the RoK diagnostics podcast, we discuss antibiotic susceptibility testing.

Molecular techniques are growing by leaps and bounds, and the market is ripe for disruption.    The advent of COVID has created many new opportunities for companies that are looking to deliver faster and more accurate results. As we move into the future of medicine, we need to ask: What does this mean for our industry?   In this episode we sit down with Elijah Onyimi to tackle this question and more.

It is good to pursue opportunities abroad. However, is it practical to leave your country? The answer lies in the life you desire and what you are willing to sacrifice. There are many reasons why people choose to live abroad. Some go because they want to work in a country with a better economy so they can earn more money and have a better standard of living. Others go because they want a change of pace or scenery from their lives back home. While this is understandable, you should note that there are also some downsides to living abroad that people need to consider before making any decisions about moving away from home. In the latest episode of the RoK diagnostics podcast I sit down with Felicitas Uwa to discuss opportunities for Medical laboratory professionals in the united arab emirates and the pitfalls to be wary of.

Do you know your core skill set as a medical professional? What about your core values? If you don’t, that may be the reason you feel stuck.  As a medical laboratory worker, you can do so many things. You can manage and run a lab, develop new tests, perform research and publish papers, teach others in your field, or even consult with other companies on how to improve their own operations. But at the end of the day, you are not just a generalist—you are also an expert in one or more specific areas.  This week, we sit down with a Lona Small, medical professional who now specializes in helping others determine their core skill set and core values so they can better advance their careers and their lives. Listen to this discussion. It might enlighten you if you are in need of some direction. Video - 

Urinalysis is one of the most important, and least talked about, parts of a health checkup.  It can tell you whether you've got blood in your urine, or if you're dehydrated. It can tell you if you're retaining too much water, or if you have a urinary tract infection. It can tell you if your kidneys are working properly and it can even tell your doctor whether or not you've been taking your current medication—which is especially important for patients who take drugs for their high blood pressure or diabetes.   In this episode of the RoK Diagnostics podcast, Medical Laboratory Scientist Stephen Arinze explains why our urine needs to be tested routinely.

Linda Oskam and Tjeerd Datema, Medical Laboratory advisers from DATOS share their thoughts on Laboratory Network Strengthening in Africa.

In this interview, we sit with Aliu Israel, Quality Management expert and discuss how he ended up in this field, his views on personnel management, how quality management can help laboratories generate revenue and what the Nigerian landscape currently looks like.   00:00 - Guest presentation 01:39 - Aliu introcuces himself 02:19 - How hard is it to get into quality management? 05:46 - Past mediocrity in laboratory management 08:36 - Dealing with rejection 12:27 - Generating revenue through quality 17:58 - KPIs 20:28 - Laboratory personnel 27:47 - Most proud moment 32:47 - The future for Aliu Israel

In this interview, Dr Lucy Perrone shares her views on medical laboratory leadership and discusses the laboratory leadership program she started working on in 2014.  We go over the past of this program, its future and the change it has helped enable in the medical laboratory sector to date.

The field of Medical Laboratory Science is an exciting and fast-paced one. The work we do is important, and we are constantly learning new things about our jobs. In this first episode, we discuss the field of Medical Laboratory Science and why we got into it. Dennis, Wisdom and Robertson give their points of view.

Summary In this episode of the RoK Diagnostics Podcast, we sit down with Oluwasoga Oni, CEO and co-founder of MDaaS Global, the company behind Nigeria’s fastest-growing healthcare network, Beacon Health Diagnostics. We explore the journey from launching their first center in 2016 to now operating in 25 states with 17 locations, the challenges of scaling healthcare infrastructure, and the importance of location in setting up healthcare centers. Oluwasoga also shares insights on pitching to investors, the use of technology in healthcare, and the potential for data-driven public health initiatives. Tune in to learn how MDaaS aims to revolutionize access to quality diagnostics across the continent. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Beacon Health Diagnostics 05:42 Fast Growth and Motivation 11:45 Balancing Growth and Stability 19:18 Pitching and Fundraising in the Healthcare Sector 24:13 Expanding Access to Healthcare in West Africa 29:10 Future Plans and Impact on Public Health Learn more about MDaaS Global : https://www.mdaas.io/ Connect with Oluwasoga Oni on LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/oluwasoga-oni/ Listen to more episodes of the RoK Diagnostics Podcast : https://open.spotify.com/show/77K9fXBzm2T8r7FuiRKy9U WE RECORD WITH RIVERSIDE https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=robertson

In this enlightening episode of the RoK Diagnostics Podcast, we engage in a thought-provoking conversation with Chelsea Osayande, a first-class medical laboratory scientist from the University of Benin, currently making strides as a program analyst in Abuja, Nigeria. We delve into the critical role of medical laboratory scientists in public health, discussing the challenges and opportunities in the field, the transition from traditional lab roles to public health, and the importance of technological integration in healthcare. Chelsea also shares her personal journey, insights on data analysis in public health, and the potential of medical laboratory scientists in areas like vaccine development, AI, and data science. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving landscape of healthcare and the vital contributions of medical laboratory scientists. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 00:23 - Meet Chelsea Osayande 01:13 - Gaining Visibility in Global Health Contexts 02:06 - Scaling Laboratory Testing in African Countries 02:51 - Data Management to Policy 03:54 - Encouraging Technological Adoption in Laboratories 04:41 - Lab Scientists and Public Engagement 05:18 - The Saturated Field of Medical Laboratory Science 06:48 - Chelsea’s Career Shift From Lab to Public Health Consulting 07:57 - The Silent Voice of Lab Scientists in Health Crises 08:28 - Medical Lab Scientists: Educators in Pandemics 10:49 - Building Confidence and Visibility in Healthcare 12:09 - Medical Lab Scientists in Vaccine Production and Testing 14:08 - Effective Communication in Healthcare Sectors 16:16 - The Role of Internships and Continuous Learning in Career Development 19:21 - Day-to-Day Life in Public Health Consulting 22:30 - Learning Data Analysis and Other Skills for Lab Scientists 24:00 - The Future of Labs: Data Science and AI Integration 27:14 - Significance of Internships in Public Health 30:27 - Closing Remarks and Future Discussions in Medical Laboratory Science

Summary This conversation explores the importance of mentorship and transgenerational leadership in the medical science profession. Odinaka Kingsley Obeta highlights the gaps in mentorship for medical science students and the need for guidance in making career decisions. The impact of mentorship on career advancement and the importance of transgenerational leadership in ensuring continuity and innovation in the profession are discussed. Initiatives and solutions for mentorship are explored, including the creation of platforms and programs. The challenges in seeking and providing mentorship are addressed, emphasizing the need for access and understanding of mentorship. The speaker shares personal experiences in providing mentorship and offers tips for seeking and providing mentorship. The conversation concludes with closing remarks and contact information for further engagement. Takeaways Mentorship is crucial for the growth and development of medical science students and professionals. Transgenerational leadership is necessary to ensure continuity and innovation in the medical science profession. There are gaps in mentorship for medical science students, and efforts should be made to create systems and programs to address this. Both mentors and mentees need to understand the importance of mentorship and actively participate in the mentorship relationship. Access to mentorship and proper understanding of mentorship are key challenges that need to be addressed. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Purpose of the Conversation 02:28 Gaps in Mentorship for Medical Science Students 07:21 The Importance of Transgenerational Leadership 12:33 The Impact of Mentorship on Career Decisions 17:39 The Need for Transgenerational Leadership in Medical Science 21:42 Initiatives and Solutions for Mentorship 25:49 Challenges in Seeking and Providing Mentorship 29:53 Creating Systems for Mentorship 36:04 Personal Experience in Providing Mentorship 44:52 Addressing the Lack of Access to Mentorship 50:24 Tips for Seeking and Providing Mentorship 57:22 Closing Remarks and Contact Information

A veterinary clinic is filled with the sounds of dogs and cats, but there's one sound that's not quite so commonly associated with it: the rumble of a centrifuge. Most people associate centrifuges with human labs and hospitals, but they're also needed in veterinary clinics around the world, making it easier for veterinarians to provide more accurate diagnoses for their animal patients. It's a new era for animal-human health. In an era where zoonoses are more relevant than ever, the way we think about the relationship between our pets and ourselves has never been more important. In this week of the RoK Diagnostics podcast, we discuss how medical laboratory scientists could help in the veterinary field.