Medical Laboratory Workers Week Celebrated at Mersin University Health Services Vocational School: From University Classrooms to Laboratories

A panel organized by the Medical Laboratory Program of Mersin University Health Services Vocational School as part of Medical Laboratory Workers Week was held on April 28, 2026, at 09:30 in the Nevit Kodallı Hall with the participation of Medical Laboratory Program students and graduates.

The program began with a moment of silence and the reading of the National Anthem, followed by a musical performance, and continued with academic content.

In her opening speech, our Vocational School Director, Prof. Dr. Gülay ALTUN UĞRAŞ, emphasized that medical laboratory services play a vital role in making accurate diagnoses, monitoring diseases, guiding the treatment process, and protecting public health. In her speech, ALTUN UĞRAŞ stated that many important decisions affecting a patient's life are made as a result of meticulous work carried out in the laboratory, and that laboratory technicians are one of the strongest links in the healthcare service chain.

The first academic session of the panel was led by the program coordinator, Dr. Öğr. Member Badel İNCE gave a presentation titled "The Importance of Laboratory Technicians in Genetic Diagnostic Laboratories." İNCE highlighted the roles and importance of medical laboratory technicians in the process from sample acceptance to analysis in genetic diagnostic laboratories.

The second speaker, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gül BAYRAM, emphasized that digitalization in healthcare is not just about device automation; it's a holistic transformation encompassing data production, analysis, and integration into clinical decision-making. Healthcare Technician İlknur AÇIKYÖRÜK captivated students with her presentation on "Biosafety and Biosecurity." Environmental Engineer Ayşe Bahar KARAKOÇ from the Mersin Metropolitan Municipality Climate Change and Zero Waste Department discussed the effects of medical waste on human health in her presentation titled "Control of Medical Waste," while Environmental Engineer Dr. Zeki ALTUN highlighted the importance of recycling and recovery of waste in his speech titled "Zero Waste," aiming to raise awareness about zero waste. In our panel, student Emir Berat AYBUGÜN introduced the Mersin University Cycling Club, highlighting that students should not only engage in sports but also become active, conscious, and social individuals.

Our alumni also contributed to the panel with their presentations. Alev KILIÇ, a 2007 graduate and laboratory technician, gave a presentation on "Job Description, Career Paths, and Appointment Information." She provided information on career planning to our students, while another alumnus, Talha KARADEMİR, shared his experiences in applying for jobs in Germany with a video presentation titled "Preparations for Studying Abroad."

Our panel, held during Medical Laboratory Workers Week, culminated in a Career Talk section with the participation of our alumni. Moderated by Medical Laboratory Program Lecturer Hülya ÖZÜDOĞRU, the session featured valuable experiences shared by Alev KILIÇ, Nida BAŞER, Alican DEMİRDELEN, Barış ŞEN, and Mehmet Orçun KEÇEYAPAN, who are actively working in the field, shedding light on the future of healthcare professionals. Our graduates shared their field experiences and professional development processes with the students.

 In the panel, which combined scientific content with field experience, the vital role of medical laboratory workers, who are at the heart of the healthcare system and constitute one of the critical links in accurate diagnosis, was once again highlighted with this meaningful meeting. Mersin University Health Services Vocational School emphasized that it will continue to contribute strong values ​​to our country's healthcare workforce with its high-quality education and graduates who make a difference in the field.