New Division Portfolio 2025

New division portfolio FAQ

• What is the new division portfolio?
• Why is the transition happening?
• When will the transition take place?
• How will the transition affect me and my division?
• What changes to division membership fees can members expect as part of the transition?
• How will the transition impact the Artery, ADLM's online member community?
• What support will be provided during the transition?
• What was the process behind the division restructuring project?
• Where can I find more information?
• Who can I contact for more information or assistance?

What is the new division portfolio?

For more than 40 years, ADLM (formerly AACC) has maintained a strong divisions program, fostering scientific achievements among its members. However, in recent years, engagement within the divisions has declined. To ensure alignment with current advancements in the field and to prepare for the future of healthcare and laboratory medicine, ADLM's Board of Directors initiated a review of the divisions program. ADLM is proud to announce that, thanks to a dedicated task force, we are implementing a revised portfolio that reflects the current landscape of lab medicine. This restructure maintains the program's valuable features such as awards, advancement opportunities, and networking. Additionally, it introduces clear pathways of value for early-career, mid-career, and established professionals, encouraging growth and giving back to the community.

Review a list of the new divisions and their descriptions.

Review a schematic of the new governance terms.

Why is the transition happening?

To better align with the changing dynamics of the laboratory and diagnostics field, ADLM is restructuring the divisions program. This restructuring aims to align the divisions with current lab practice areas, ensuring they remain relevant and valuable to members.

When will the transition take place?

January 2025

Transition timeline:

• May 2024 – Initial information on the new portfolio available on ADLM’s website
• July 2024 – Opening plenary & opening mixer at ADLM ’24 will provide a sneak peek into the new portfolio
• August 2024 – New appointed division officers announced
• September 2024 – Membership renewal for divisions will feature new divisions
• October 2024 – Member Q&A session
• January 2025 – New portfolio launched
• April 2025 – Old division portfolio fully retired
• July 2025 – New division portfolio featured at ADLM ‘25

How will the transition affect me and my division?

• As we transition to the new division structure, it's important for you to take specific actions during your membership renewal. We will offer detailed guidance and support to help you navigate this process effectively when renewal notices for all ADLM members are sent out in September 2024. This ensures that you select the most suitable new division, enhancing your membership experience and aligning you with the right resources and benefits.
• The streamlined division portfolio will enhance the scope of practice, broaden leadership opportunities, and increase volunteer participation. We are introducing new governance and leadership roles, aimed at promoting more active division boards with engaged members from all areas of our membership.

Review a list of the new leadership roles and their descriptions.

Review a schematic of the new governance terms.

Division transition scenarios

• One-to-One Transition: In this scenario, existing divisions will transition directly to a new division with the same id under the revised portfolio. The focus, scope, and practice areas of the division will remain largely the same. The transition will involve updating the division's logo, scope of practice description, and adjusting its governance structure to align with the new standards set for all divisions. Members of one-to-one transitions will automatically become members of the new division, maintaining their existing involvement and benefits within the revised program. 
  • Divisions that fall within this transition type:
    • Health Equity & Access Division (HEA)
    • Hematology & Coagulation Division (HEMCOAG)
    • Pediatric & Maternal-Fetal Division (PMF)
    • Therapeutic Drug Management & Toxicology Division (TDMTOX)
      
      
• New id but One-to-One Transition: Under this scenario, divisions will undergo a id change, but the scope and practice areas of these divisions will remain largely unchanged. The transition will involve updating the division's logo, scope of practice description, and adjusting its governance structure to align with the new standards set for all divisions. Members of these transitions will automatically become members of the new division, maintaining their existing involvement and benefits within the revised program. 
  • Divisions that fall within this transition type:
    • Animal Clinical Chemistry Division -> Comparative Laboratory Medicine Division (CLM)
    • Informatics Division -> Data Science & Informatics Division (DSI)
    • Critical & Point-of-Care Testing Division (CPOCT) -> Point-of-Care Testing Division (POCT)
    • Management Sciences and Patient Safety Division (MSPS) -> Stewardship & Management Sciences Division (SPM)

• Merging Multiple Divisions into One New Division: This scenario involves the merger of several existing divisions into a single new division under the revised portfolio. The process of merging divisions can be complex, as it requires aligning the focus, goals, and governance structures of the merging divisions into a cohesive new entity. The Division Program Implementation Task Force worked closely with division leaders to identify commonalities and areas of overlap. A new, comprehensive scope and practice area for the merged division that incorporates the strengths of each original division was developed. The goal of the revised governance structures is to provide consistency across all divisions and to accommodate the larger size and increased diversity of the merged division, ensuring fair representation for all members. The Division Program Implementation Task Force will work with current division leaders over the summer to establish leadership roles and opportunities for member involvement within the merged division.
  • Current members of merged divisions will be automatically moved to new, merged divisions with overlapping interests for the first year. During membership renewal, members can also select the divisions in which they would like to be members. 
  • Divisions that fall within this transition type:
    • Tumor Markers and Cancer Diagnostics Division, Molecular Pathology Division, Clinical Translational Sciences Division, Personalized Medicine Division -> Cancer Diagnostics & Monitoring Division (CDM)
    • Biomarkers of Acute Cardiovascular Disease Division, Lipoproteins and Vascular Diseases Division, Nutrition Division, Clinical Translational Sciences Division -> Cardiovascular Health Division (CVH)
    • Endocrinology Division, Clinical Translational Sciences Division, Nutrition Division -> Endocrinology & Metabolism Division (ENDOMET)
    • Personalized Medicine Division, Molecular Pathology Division -> Genetics & Genomics Division (G&G)
    • Industry Division, Clinical Translational Sciences Division, Proteomics & Metabolomics Division, Mass Spectrometry Division, Nutrition Division -> Innovation & Technology Division (INT)
    • Clinical & Diagnostic Immunology Division, Clinical Translational Sciences Division -> Immunology & Infectious Disease Division (IID)

• Reorganization:
  • The History Division will be reorganized as a Special Committee reporting to the Board of Directors Secretary for the advancement of special projects (more information forthcoming).
  • A History Artery forum will be maintained to encourage discussion of topics related to the history of clinical chemistry, the association, etc.

What changes to division membership fees can members expect as part of the transition?

• Pricing will remain at $25/division in 2025.
• The Board of Directors will evaluate and may elect to increase fees in subsequent years.

How will the transition impact the Artery, ADLM’s online member community?

• Beginning in January 2025 new Artery platforms will be created, and the old division platforms will be archived (available as reference for all division members).
• When joining one of the new divisions, you will still have access to all of the divisions that are a part of the program. In addition, you will have access to the previous retired divisions Artery pages that will have been archived.

Link to the new Artery pages (coming January 2025)>

What support will be provided during the transition?

• The Division Program Implementation Task Force and the Science & Practice Core Committee (SPCC) will provide member-based support during the divisions transition. If you have a question for either of these groups, please contact staff liaison, Caitlin Ondracek (divisions@myadlm.org).
• ADLM staff can be contacted for any additional questions.

What was the process behind the division restructuring project?

1. Formation of the Division Program Implementation Task Force and key dates: In March 2022, the Board of Directors established the Division Program Review Task Force (DPRTF) to assess the current division program and portfolio. The DPRTF presented initial recommendations revising the division structure in July 2022. The Board of Directors approved the recommendations and transitioned the DPRTF to the Division Program Implementation Task Force (DPITF) to operationalize the plan. Both task forces were composed of current or past division chairs: Alison Woodworth, PhD (Chair), Jennifer Colby, PhD, Stanley Lo, PhD, Stacy Melanson, MD, PhD, and Octavia Peck Palmer, PhD.
2. Board of Directors Directives: The Board of Directors directed the Division Program Implementation Task Force to assess the current division program and portfolio and make recommendations for its restructuring.
3. Meetings with SPCC and Divisions: The Division Program Implementation Task Force engaged with the Science & Practice Core Committee and division leadership to gather input and feedback on the proposed division restructuring.
4. Criteria for Restructuring:
   • Membership Analysis: The Division Program Implementation Task Force conducted a thorough analysis of current membership numbers in each division. They looked at areas where members overlapped between divisions or where there were topical gaps, as well as which divisions had high percentages of unique members. This analysis helped ensure that the new division structure would better meet the needs of all members.
   • Engagement and Value Assessment: The task force reviewed the annual reports of all current divisions for the past several years to assess their level of engagement and value to members. This information was crucial in identifying areas where divisions could be enhanced or where new divisions were needed to better serve the membership.
   • Best Practices Benchmarking: The Division Program Implementation Task Force studied how similar healthcare associations and organizations structured their thematic structures for membership. This benchmarking helped ensure that ADLM's new division structure aligned with industry best practices and would be effective in meeting the needs of ADLM members and the association.
   • Current Practice Areas Assessment: The task force also assessed the current practice areas within laboratory medicine, diagnostics, and adjacent fields to ensure that the new divisions reflected the current state of the field. This ensured that the new structure would be relevant and responsive to the evolving needs of the profession.
5. Consultation Process: The Division Program Implementation Task Force consulted with the SPCC and division leadership through surveys, meetings, and one-on-one discussions to gather feedback on the proposed restructuring.
6. Communication Plan: The Division Program Implementation Task Force developed a communication plan to socialize the proposed changes with division leadership and gather feedback for a successful transition.
7. Core Officer Selections In lieu of normal division leadership elections during this transition period, the Division Program Implementation Task Force will work with current division leaders to identify the six core officers for each new division this summer. The task force will make final recommendations for this core group to take up the new division starting in August 2024.
8. Supporting Officer Selections: Once the core officer board is in place, the Division Program Implementation Task Force will support them in identifying five individuals to complete the supporting officer selections. The goal is for each division to have a full, working board by January 2025.

Where can I find more information?

Information about upcoming Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions, podcast interviews, and other updates, will be communicated with members via the Artery, email, and through the ADLM website. Feel free to check back here for the latest updates as we prepare for this exciting transition!

Who can I contact for more information or assistance?

Please contact ADLM staff liaison, Caitlin Ondracek (divisions@myadlm.org).