In July 2023, we changed our name from AACC (short for the American Association for Clinical Chemistry) to the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM). The following page was written prior to this rebranding and contains mentions of the association’s old name. It may contain other out-of-date information as well.
2023 Professor Alvin Dubin Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Profession and the Academy
Dr. Ritchie started his career at the University of Michigan, receiving a BS in zoology and a Master’s in public health epidemiology. While at Michigan, he also worked in the Rackham Arthritis Research Unit and the Mental Health Research Institute, learning the “new” sciences of human tissue culture and immunoassay. He also worked in the clinical lab of the hospital. This combination of research and clinical training has energized and guided him throughout his career.
In 1983, Dr. Ritchie moved to Duke University, where he established the Clinical Psychobiology Laboratory for the Department of Psychiatry and received his Ph.D. in pharmacology from Duke. During this time, he worked on the DST to diagnosis depression, a test still being used in psychiatric research.
In 1993, Dr. Ritchie accepted a joint position with Emory University’s Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine and the Department of Psychiatry. Upon his arrival, he established the Emory Translational Clinical Research Laboratory (ECTRL). This lab was unique at the time in that it functioned as both a research and a CLIA-certified clinical laboratory.
While at Emory, Dr. Ritchie served as an instructor for two years, an assistant professor for six years, an associate professor for five years and a professor for the final 12 years. His clinical achievements include:
- Director (CLIA) Emory Medical Laboratories
- Cofounder of Emory’s Post Doctorate Training Program
- Serving on Several Medical Practice Committees
- Oversaw the acquisition of laboratories during Emory’s expansion
- Teaching with Emory Residency Program
- Presented at many national and international conferences
- Established and directed specialized POCT laboratory for treatment of Ebola (4) patients
- Directed laboratory test support for Ebola patients within a high containment facility
- Analytical support on 16 grants
- Served as chief analysis on 155 papers and 10 book chapters.
In 1984, Dr. Ritchie joined what would be a 39-year membership with AACC. His contributions to AACC include:
- AACC Proteomics Division Chairman 2008 - 2009
- AACC Proteomics Division Treasurer 2005 - 2007
- AACC Proteomics Division Program Committee 2006 - 2008
- AACC Toxicology Division Chair - 2015
- AACC Press Board 2007 - 2009
- AACC Continuing Education Committee, 1987 - 1991
- Chairman, AACC Continuing Education Committee, 1989 - 1991
- Chairman, Southeast Section AACC, 1998
- NACB (FADLM) Secretary 2010 - 2013
- NACB (FADLM) Chairman Publications Committee 2007 – 2009
- ABCC Board 2010 – 2015
- Academy of AACC (NACB) Chairman 2017
- Mass Spect and Separation Science Chairman Education Committee 2020 – 2022
- AACC (NACB) Academy Awards Committee Chairman 2019 - 2022
- ABCC Board, Member 2010 to 2017
- FADLM, Chairman, 2017 to 2018FADLM, Past Chairman, 2018 to 2019
Dr. Ritchie retired from Emory at the end of 2018 and currently serves as a guest lecturer and laboratory consultant.