November 20, 2006

BCC Dean of Applied Science Julie Peacock Receives First Clinical
Laboratory License In NYS, Peacock Led Effort To Certify Field

-NYS Expects To Certify 30,000 Technicians By End Of 2006-

(TOWN OF DICKINSON, NY) Broome Community College President Dr. Laurence Spraggs today highlighted Dean of Applied Science Julie Peacock for being the first individual in New York State to receive a License to Practice Clinical Laboratory Technology.

Clinical Laboratory Technologists are medical personnel who perform biological tests in search of diagnostic clues as evidence of health or disease. For example, any type of blood work or testing that is conducted in a hospital laboratory is performed by clinical laboratory technicians. This type of testing is needed to diagnosis potential treatments, disease or illness.

In January 2005 Governor Pataki signed the Clinical Laboratory Technology Practice Act, which Peacock played a significant role in drafting and advocating for on behalf of 23 professional organizations and unions compromising the Professional Standards Coalition for Clinical Laboratory Personnel. The Practice Act defines the scope of practice for Clinical Laboratory Technology and creates the requirement for the licensure of any and all practitioners working in this profession.

“We are extremely proud of Dean Peacock for her leadership and the significant role she played in crafting and developing the Clinical Laboratory Technology Act,” said BCC President Dr. Spraggs. "By crafting a coalition of more than twenty public and private organizations Julie was able to help create and pass a law that will have a long lasting and meaningful impact on health care for all New Yorkers." 

On September 1, 2006 Peacock was issued the first license by New York State in Clinical Laboratory Technology. The license number is 000001. More than 30,000 individuals are expected to receive licenses by the end of 2006.

“The Practice Act raises the standards for clinical laboratory technologists, which increases the level of training and expertise of those individuals who perform these critical medical functions," said Dean Julie Peacock. "As a result the level of care patients are afforded will increase significantly. As occurs with Physicians, Nurses, and others who hold critical roles in the quality of health care in New York, every laboratory professional will be accountable, by requirement of the license, to uphold high standards in every aspect of their work.”

Peacock spent the last 15 years working with local and state officials of the creation of the Clinical Laboratory Technology Practice Act. As the result of Peacock’s and others efforts, New York became the 13th state to require a license to practice Clinical Laboratory Technology.

Peacock was also appointed to a five year term on the newly formed State Board of Clinical Laboratory Technology and was elected Vice Chair. The Board makes recommendations to the Board of Regents concerning all matters relating to Clinical Laboratory Technology.