Bolstering a Crucial, Unseen Element of Health Care

Tucked away in research laboratories and far from public-facing medical teams, the general public may never see medical laboratory scientists, but their contributions to patient care are essential to every person’s health.

Without MLS professionals, blood and other bodily fluids wouldn’t be tested, analyzed and interpreted, and nurses and physicians ultimately would not have the information they need to make critical medical decisions. 

Nationally, MLS careers are expected to face significant shortages over the next decade. It’s that crisis that motivated the Virginia-based Commonwealth Transfusion Foundation to create an endowed professorship in honor of one man’s decades of service to transfusion medicine in Virginia. 

This professorship not only honors the extraordinary legacy of Dr. Carden, but also enhances VCU’s ability to recruit students, foster impactful research and provide students with world-class training in immunohematology.

Melissa Jamerson, Ph.D., chair and associate professor of immunology and immunohematology at the College of Health Professions

The foundation’s board approached the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences at the VCU College of Health Professions about establishing the Dr. Robert E. Carden Professorship in Immunohematology. Dr. Carden is founder and CEO of the foundation, which works to improve transfusion medicine practices throughout Virginia. 

“It’s an honor to recognize Dr. Carden’s 25 years of service to blood banking in Virginia through the establishment of this professorship,” said William Haugh, Commonwealth Transfusion Foundation board chair. “His passion has inspired countless students and professionals, making this professorship a fitting tribute to his legacy.” 

The fund will support an instructor, assistant professor or associate professor of immunohematology, preferably with a specialist certification in blood banking. 

“This professorship not only honors the extraordinary legacy of Dr. Carden, but also enhances VCU’s ability to recruit students, foster impactful research and provide students with world-class training in immunohematology,” said Melissa Jamerson, Ph.D., chair and associate professor of immunology and immuno-hematology at the College of Health Professions. “This sets VCU apart and reinforces our mission to lead in transfusion medicine,” she said. Dr. Carden said he was caught unaware of the board’s intent to create the professorship. 

“I am deeply humbled by the board’s decision,” Dr. Carden said, adding that he hopes its impact is immediate. 

“Raising awareness of the important role medical lab scientists play is the first step in addressing the shortage,” he said. “We want VCU to attract the best and brightest faculty, and we want to make certain it has the latest and greatest technology to prepare students to work in hospitals without additional training.”

If you would like to support the Dr. Robert E. Carden Professorship in Immunohematology, please contact T. Greg Prince, Ed.D., senior director of development at the College of Health Professions, at tgprince@vcu.edu or 804-828-7247.