In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by colleagues Wendy Daigle and Ellen Dijkman Dulkes to discuss identifying meaningful goals for a laboratory outreach program and taking steps to achieve them. Key topics include:

• Internal influences (01:32): The importance of considering your organization’s and department’s broader goals when defining your own.
• Measurement (06:20): Using metrics and data to understand your current state and track progress.
• Ambition level (10:10): Determining the right balance between bold, aspirational goals and more attainable ones.
• Prioritization (13:00): Factors to consider when prioritizing goals.
• Planning for success (14:30): How to create a plan that helps you make meaningful progress.

In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, welcomes Chelsea Conn, Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ director of regulatory affairs. Together, they break down the latest regulatory changes and share actionable strategies to help outreach programs stay informed and prepared. Key topics include:

• FDA rule for lab-developed tests (01:36): What the recent rescinding of the FDA rule means for labs.
• New Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) regulations (04:36): Clarifications on lab director qualification updates from late 2024.
• College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation (07:52): New checklist requirements for reporting and submitting to public health authorities.
• Protecting Access to Medicare Act (PAMA) reform (11:40): The latest developments on new approaches to reimbursement for laboratory tests.
• Recommended resources (17:32): How to stay up to date on regulations affecting the laboratory industry.

In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by Wendy Daigle and Ellen Dijkman Dulkes, outreach solutions specialists. Together, they share practical strategies that outreach programs can consider to strengthen their financial performance.

• Managing courier expenses (02:06): Explore ways to manage customer expectations and service agreements to control courier costs effectively.
• Optimizing payment for phlebotomy (13:09): Discover coding considerations and unique service opportunities, such as home visits and education, that may help maximize financial return for phlebotomy offerings.

In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by Todd Juen, outpatient lab supervisor at Mayo Clinic. Together, they explore how to deliver exceptional experiences to patient populations with unique needs, including:

• Pediatric patients (02:46): Learn about the thoughtful accommodations made to ensure a positive experience for young patients.
• Patients using wheelchairs (05:43): Explore techniques and tools for drawing blood when standard arm stabilization equipment isn’t an option.
• Communications challenges (7:55): Hear about translation resources used to help patients feel understood and supported.
• Privacy considerations (11:01): Gain ideas for managing the needs of high-profile patients — such as politicians, celebrities, or community figures — who require enhanced privacy.
• New innovation in phlebotomy (15:07): Get a glimpse of emerging technologies designed to support phlebotomists.

In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by colleagues Wendy Daigle and Ellen Dijkman Dulkes. Together, they dive into the power of communication in laboratory outreach, sharing practical advice and memorable stories about:

• Identifying audiences (04:13): Discover the internal and external groups you need to communicate with regularly.
• The needs of different audiences (06:46): Learn how communication strategies must adapt for internal teams versus external partners, and what makes each group unique.
• Establishing relationships as a new manager (08:32): Get insights for new outreach managers on building trust and strong connections.
• Tips for strong relationships (16:15): Explore proven approaches for connecting with external partners, non-laboratory departments, and those who can boost your program’s visibility.
• Essential messages for support departments (24:56): The three most important things support departments should know about your outreach program.

In this episode of the “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by Travis Engelhaupt, digital experience director, and Naomi Lovell, project manager. Together, they discuss website trends and best practices, including:

• Valuable content for clinical laboratory websites.
• The impact of mobile technology and artificial intelligence.
• Engaging leadership to secure resources.
• Opportunities for AI and external collaborators to support site management.
• Navigating update moratoriums.

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by Karen Kloke, director of scientific and technical publications at Mayo Clinic Laboratories. Together, they explore the evolution of laboratory test catalogs and share practical tips for maximizing their value. Topics discussed include:

• Why test catalogs are vitally important.
• How electronic catalogs and electronic health records changed expectations and expanded possibilities for test catalogs.
• What essential information should be included in a test catalog — and what optional details can enhance usability and value for clients.
• Easy ways to create electronic catalogs by using familiar, widely available tools.

You can learn more in “Transforming the Laboratory Test Catalog Into a Strategic Asset,” by outreach solutions strategist Ellen Dijkman Dulkes.

In this episode of Mayo Clinic Laboratories’ “Leveraging the Laboratory” podcast, host Jane Hermansen, outreach manager at Mayo Clinic Laboratories, is joined by colleagues Ellen Dijkman Dulkes and Brianne Newton. They discuss common reasons that outreach programs fail to launch and strategies for building momentum to implement a program. Specific topics include:

• The knowledge and competitive insights needed to move forward.
• Strategies to enter or expand into a large market without being overwhelmed.
• Buy-in from leaders on your outreach program implementation plan.
• Action plans and project management best practices.

Listen to the first episode in this series, “Overcoming Common Barriers to Outreach Success.”