Clinical Laboratory Management Association

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CLMA History

Founded in 1976, the Clinical Laboratory Management Association (CLMA) is an international association for clinical laboratory professionals that has a rich history.

1976

  • The Clinical Laboratory Association (CLMA) was established. Margaret Howell was elected as the first President. 

1985

  • CLMA held first Annual Meeting in Reno, NV

1986

  • CLMA celebrated its 10th anniversary

1987

  • First Clinical Laboratory Management Review (CLMR) published

1996

  • CLMA celebrated its 20th anniversary

2002-2003

  • CLMA held conference in conjunction with ASCP 

2006

  • CLMA celebrated its 30th anniversary
  • SmartLab Series deployed regionally

2010

  • CLMA selected SmithBucklin as its new management company
  • CLMA created the Body of Knowledge (BoK)

2011

  • THINKLAB conference was renamed KnowledgeLab

2013

  • CLMA formed a Blue Ribbon Committee that created new guidelines for KnowledgeLab conference
  • CLMA signed a speaker exchange with AACC
  • Version 2 of the Body of Knowledge (BoK) released
  • CLSI created a crosswalk to the Body of Knowledge
  • CLMA launched the Increasing Clinical Effectiveness (ICE) initiative

2014

  • CLMA signed an MOU with SAFMLS (The Society of American Federal Medical Laboratory Scientists)

2015

  • CLMA signed a publication agreement with Medical Lab Management (MLM) to provide monthly content to the magazine branded as CLMA
  • CLMA leaders invited to speak at Seeding Knowledge Saudi Arabia conference
  • MediaLab partnership formed

2016

  • CLMA celebrated its 40th anniversary and held their KnowledgeLab event in Orlando, FL
  • CLMA and SAFMLS joint membership option was established
  • CLMA partnered with Roche Diagnostics on a Lab Leaders Roundtable
  • CLMA launched new membership categories that offered education inclusive and entry-level membership types
  • CLMA transitioned from anniversary to calendar dues
  • CLMA created a preparatory course for the ASCP DLM exam offered at KnowledgeLab
  • CLMA piloted a mentorship program

2017

  • Version 3 of the Body of Knowledge (BoK) released with new Self-Assessment Tool
  • CLMA implemented a Chapter Restructure with Affiliation Agreement 
  • CLMA established an Industry Trends Task Force
  • CLMA partnered with Roche Diagnostics on a Lab Leaders featured session at KnowledgeLab
  • CLMA implemented a new nominations process focused on selection instead of election
  • CLMA refreshed the Online Learning Center and tagged all content to the Body of Knowledge domains 

2018

  • Version 3 of the Body of Knowledge (BoK) released
  • CLMA membership reaches more than 1,750
  • CLMA implemented a 3-year Education Strategy
  • CLMA developed an online DLM Exam Preparatory Course

2019

  • CLMA launched the revamped Body of Knowledge Webinar Series
  • CLMA launched Shared Interest Groups (SIGs)

2020

  • CLMA launched the COVID-19 Resource Community

2021

  • CLMA partnered with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). CLMA and ASCP members will receive free registration at the virtual KnowledgeLab 2021 event, which CLMA and ASCP will co-host. CLMA members receive ASCP benefits.