UW-Casper Medical Laboratory Science Program Lecturer Awarded Leadership Scholarship

An associate lecturer with the University of Wyoming at Casper's Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program is the recipient of an American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Leadership Institute Scholarship.

Charlie Cruz is a board-certified international specialist in microbiology and medical laboratory scientist through ASCP. Additionally, he holds certifications as a clinical laboratory scientist in California and is a registered medical technologist in the Philippines.

"The ASCP Leadership Institute Scholarship will greatly impact my teaching career," Cruz says. "By participating in this program, I will gain the knowledge and tools essential to inspire and empower my students to become outstanding leaders in medical laboratory science. My goal is to nurture a learning environment that cultivates critical thinking, problem-solving and effective communication skills, critical for success in today's competitive and evolving health care landscape."

ASCP, founded in 1922, promotes the efforts of clinical laboratory methods in the diagnosis of disease and stimulates original research in clinical laboratory work. It has long been a leader in advancing the practice and understanding of pathology and laboratory medicine.

Annually, one laboratory professional and one pathologist are selected to receive a scholarship for the Leadership Institute Certificate Program. Additionally, each recipient is granted five hours of personalized coaching from ASCP's leadership experts.

Jed Doxtater heads the MLS program at UW-Casper, which also is a component of the UW School of Pharmacy and part of UW's College of Health Sciences. The program has recently received a 10-year reaccreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science.

Doxtater says recognizing Cruz for his ASCP Leadership Institute Scholarship goes hand in hand in honoring him for his work with students.

"Dr. Cruz is a highly deserving recipient of the 2024 ASCP Leadership Institute Scholarship," Doxtater says. "Since joining our faculty in 2016, Dr. Cruz has played a pivotal role in educating MLS students, serving as both an educator and a mentor. His dedication to student success and his commitment to advancing the MLS program and profession demonstrate his strong leadership abilities."

"This honor is a testament to Dr. Cruz's commitment to continuous improvement and his dedication to our students," says Kem Krueger, dean of the UW School of Pharmacy. "The ASCP Leadership Institute Scholarship is an external acknowledgement of his quality work. I am proud of his accomplishments."

Michelle Hilaire, interim dean of the College of Health Sciences, also praises Cruz for his achievement.

"We are thrilled to congratulate Dr. Cruz on being awarded the ASCP Leadership Institute Scholarship. I am confident that this opportunity will further empower him as an educator and scientist," Hilaire adds. "We look forward to seeing his continued impact and success teaching students within the MLS program."

About the University of Wyoming College of Health Sciences

UW's College of Health Sciences trains health and wellness professionals and researchers in a wide variety of disciplines, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, speech-language pathology, social work, kinesiology, public health, health administration and disability studies. The college also oversees residency and fellowship programs in Casper and Cheyenne, as well as operating a speech/hearing clinic in Laramie and primary care clinics in Laramie, Casper and Cheyenne.

With more than 1,600 undergraduate, graduate and professional students, the college is dedicated to training the health and wellness workforce of Wyoming and conducting high-quality research and community engagement, with a particular focus on rural and frontier populations.

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