Linda A. Smith, Ph.D., M.L.S., is chair of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences. She is a Minnie Stevens Piper Professor and a member of the UT Academy of Health Science Educators.
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By Rosanne Fohn

Linda A. Smith, Ph.D., M.L.S., chair of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio, was elected to the position of president-elect of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) at the organization’s annual meeting in July. She will assume the office of president in summer 2012.

Dr. Smith has been active in the organization for more than 25 years, most recently serving on the board of directors and as a member of the executive committee.

In addition, she has served as chair of the education scientific assembly and awards committee, and co-chaired the clinical laboratory educator’s conference. She also was chair of the examination council for the National Credentialing Agency.

Dr. Smith serves as a member of the ASCLS Consumer Information Team — a select group of individuals who respond to consumer and health care professionals’ questions about laboratory test results.

National awards
She received both the Sherwood, Davis & Geck Professional Achievement Award in Education and the Bio-Rad Professional Achievement Award in Immunology/Immunohematology from ASCLS.

Other professional involvement includes her election as a member in Alpha Mu Tau fraternity, the national honorary society for clinical laboratory science. She also has been on the board of directors and president of the Texas Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.

Dr. Smith, a laboratory professional for nearly 40 years, joined the UT Health Science Center San Antonio in 1983 as an assistant professor. In January 2009, Dr. Smith was named chair of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences. In 2007, she was named a Minnie Stevens Piper Professor and was elected to membership in the UT Academy of Health Science Educators.

“I value my membership in the ASCLS and all of the opportunities for learning, leadership and service that it provides. I look forward to the challenges and opportunities that the next several years will present.”

ASCLS, with a membership of more than 10,000, serves as the voice of all clinical laboratory professionals, creating a vision for the advancement of the clinical laboratory practice field. The society advocates for the value and role of the profession, ensuring safe, effective, efficient, equitable and patient-centered health care.