Cal Poly Campus Health and Wellbeing Awarded by Laboratory Industry Association

SAN LUIS OBISPO — COLA, a leading national laboratory accreditor, has awarded Cal Poly Campus Health and Wellbeing (CH&W) its Laboratory Excellence Award following a recent survey of the university’s health center lab earlier this month.
 
According to COLA, the CH&W laboratory received the award, its highest commendation, for “performing quality patient testing and superior overall laboratory practices.”
 
“It goes without saying that our team takes immense pride in providing the best care for our students, and this award serves as well-deserved recognition for their great work,” said Tina Hadaway-Mellis, assistant vice president for Student Affairs, Health and Wellbeing.
 
COLA’s program and standards enable clinical laboratories and staff to meet United States Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) and other regulatory requirements. Recipients of the award must be compliant with all COLA essential and required criteria at the time of their on-site survey, and have no substantiated complaints against the laboratory, among other qualifications.
 
“This is a huge accomplishment, and it would not have been possible without each member of the team, each day and every moment, committing to lab excellence, professionalism and team effort. Our workload demands have been heavy lately, but we are a 'can do' team, and I am grateful for that,” said Lisa Clift, CH&W’s lead clinical laboratory scientist.
 
As part of its slate of health services for students, CH&W provides a variety of comprehensive laboratory tests, including those assessing sexually transmitted infections (STIs); thyroid, hormonal and metabolic health; immunity; tuberculosis and many others to meet the diverse needs of the student population.
 
The laboratory team — which consists of Lisa Clift, Lynn McGuigan, Brecken Ancheta, Stephanie McKee, Briana Gros, Steven Kung and Lynn DePauw — also played an important role in increasing STI testing among Cal Poly students last year. CH&W developed a self-order testing program focused on providing fast, easy and discreet access for students to common STI testing.
 
As a result of the ease of this service and student participation, utilization increased 25% year-over-year. Due to its success, the program expanded both in its availability and scope for the 2024-25 academic year with the addition of tuberculosis QuantiFERON testing, a service that is required for a variety of employment and internship opportunities.
 
“Our lab team is a great example of the type of professional care and support students can expect when they visit the health center,” said CH&W Medical Director Ricardo Young, who noted that the award coincides with CH&W’s plan to offer self-order STI testing at no additional cost to currently enrolled students throughout the month of February. “They center the student experience in everything they do and offer excellent care to everyone in their space, from start to finish.”
 
To learn more, visit the CH&W laboratory services page.