NEW ALBANY, Ind. — UofL Health, Baptist Health and Norton Healthcare and will join forces with Indiana University Southeast to build a degree program that will fill needed laboratory science health care positions, establishing a historic five-year workforce development partnership.

Beginning in the fall, IU Southeast will offer a Bachelor of Science in medical laboratory science, training students to become medical technologists or clinical laboratory scientists. These professionals play a critical role in health care by analyzing biological samples to help diagnose and treat diseases.

“This important partnership demonstrates Indiana University’s commitment to serving Hoosiers and our Kentucky neighbors, offering students the opportunity to gain experience in a critical, growing field,” IU President Pamela Whitten said. “Graduates of IU Southeast’s new degree program will go on to provide meaningful care to patients in local communities and across the globe.”

“We are pleased to announce this unique arrangement with our hospital partners at UofL Health, Baptist Health and Norton Healthcare,” said Debbie Ford, chancellor of IU Southeast. “This collaboration reflects our institution’s commitment to addressing community needs while delivering top-tier educational opportunities close to home. Graduates of these programs embark on fulfilling and highly sought-after health care careers, with many choosing to remain in the region, strengthening our economy and serving local communities.”

 

Previously, the program was offered through a consortium with Bellarmine University in Kentucky, but students will now complete the degree fully at IU Southeast.

“The clinical lab testing done by medical laboratory scientists creates the foundation for all of modern health care,” said Dr. Emily Volk, vice president of system pathology and laboratories for UofL Health. “Without medical laboratory scientists, over 70% of the information used to diagnose patients would not be available. I applaud Indiana University Southeast and the other health care providers for working together to increase the number of laboratory medical scientists in our health care workforce.”

The program will transfer to IU Southeast, along with faculty members and laboratory equipment necessary to teach the program. The three hospital groups will support the program’s development at IU Southeast, including remodeling laboratory space at the campus and providing paid internships and scholarships to students in the programs. Current Bellarmine students in the program will come to IU Southeast in the fall to complete their degrees.

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science has approved the transfer of accreditation to IU Southeast, ensuring the program meets national standards. Graduates will be required to pass the American Society for Clinical Pathology national board exam to qualify as medical laboratory scientists.

“It takes a robust team of trained professionals to make sure the public gets the health care they need, and our organizations are proud to support the new medical lab sciences program at Indiana University Southeast,” said Charlotte Ipsan, senior vice president and chief hospital officer for Norton Healthcare. “A lab technologist’s work is vital to obtaining accurate test results that providers need to determine care plans.”

Medical laboratory professionals work in various settings, including hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs and research facilities, and the partnership will help fill these critical positions in the health care system.

The demand for medical laboratory scientists is steadily rising in Indiana and Kentucky. According to Lightcast labor data, job demand in this field has increased by 5.4% over the most recent four-year analysis. From October 2023 to October 2024, monthly job postings for medical laboratory scientist positions averaged 435 across the two-state region. Local median salaries for these roles range from $58,740 to $82,900, reflecting competitive opportunities in this critical health care profession.

“Lab scientists are vital members of the overall health care team,” said Mike Schroyer, president of Baptist Health Floyd. “Their work is vital in determining the plan of care for both inpatients and outpatients. Their work is also vital in caring for chronic conditions that count on accurate testing to regulate medications and prevent recurrent hospital admissions. Baptist Health is very honored and proud to support Indiana University Southeast’s new medical lab sciences program. We look forward to supporting the program and the students’ needs.”


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UofL Health is a fully integrated regional academic health system with nine hospitals, four medical centers, Brown Cancer Center, Eye Institute, nearly 200 physician practice locations, and more than 1,000 providers in Louisville and the surrounding counties, including southern Indiana. Additional access to UofL Health is provided through a partnership with Carroll County Memorial Hospital. Affiliated with the University of Louisville School of Medicine, UofL Health is committed to providing patients with access to the most advanced care available. This includes clinical trials, collaboration on research and the development of new technologies to both save and improve lives. With more than 14,000 team members – physicians, surgeons, nurses, pharmacists and other highly-skilled health care professionals, UofL Health is focused on one mission: to transform the health of communities we serve through compassionate, innovative, patient-centered care.

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