Cleveland Clinic Medical Laboratory Science Program

…and how supportive the instructors are. My advice for future students is this, the course load can feel overwhelming at times but think of it like eating an elephant; daunting at first, but with diligence and persistence, you’ll get through it one bite at a time.

When I’m not in class or the lab, you’ll usually find me paddleboarding at Huntington Beach Reservation, walking my dogs, or meeting up with friends to explore one of the many local breweries.

So far, one of my favorite things about the program has been…

I found my way into MLS while taking a career survey through the U.S. Department of Labor. Medical Laboratory Science came in as my #2 result, right after dental hygienist… but teeth freak me out, so here we are! It turns out it was the perfect fit for me.

I’m currently enrolled in the 3+1 Medical Laboratory Science program at Cleveland State University, where I am completing my clinical year at the Cleveland Clinic. I’m also a veteran using my VA benefits to pursue this career path, which has been an incredible opportunity.

Hematology II is in the books, our next Black Friday™️ will be our toxicology exam, hopefully no one is trying to get some first hand experience during the OU-OSU game.

learning, and have had the urge to make a difference within my community. All of these are put together is the position of an MLS! In the meantime, when I’m not at the clinic, I like to read, go to the parks to get some vitamin D, and hang out with my guinea pig!

… the experience of being in a state-of-the-art medical facility and having excess to the specific and specialized testing. The medical laboratory science program has paired perfectly with my interests within medicine and the lab: I have always enjoyed puzzling out problems…

…where I initially finished a degree in Biomedical Health Sciences and now I am here to finish my second major in Medical Laboratory Science! I chose the attend the CCF program here due to the amazing educators, the clinical rotations I will obtain, and…

No better way to kick off the long weekend than with a student spotlight! Our next student spotlight is Chloe!

Hi everyone! My name is Chloe, and I am one of the current MLS students at the Cleveland Clinic! I come to the Clinic from Purdue University…

This week the students explored hemoglobin and hemoglobinopathies. They built their own hemoglobin molecules to explore the structure of hemoglobin and tested their knowledge of hemoglobinopathies with a round of Hemoglobinopoly!

MLS is perfect for me because I get to be part of the behind-the-scenes healthcare team that may not interact directly with patients but still makes a huge impact on patient care and public health. In my free time, I also love going to the art museum!

The Cleveland Clinic MLS program was the perfect opportunity to apply and expand my knowledge while doing something I love. The program is a lot of work, but also a lot of fun, and it provides a solid foundation for a career in medical lab science.

Our first chem exam warrants our first student spotlight!

I'm Hailey!
I graduated from the University at Albany in 2021 with a double Bachelor of Science in Biology and Anthropology.

This week our students worked on plotting QC, understanding how to evaluate assay performance is key to starting in the lab. We found rule violations and talked about the first couple things we might try to troubleshoot.

The students have been off and running after orientation last week and settling into the regular pace this week. We are so excited for our new cohort to learn the all about chemistry and hematology this first semester, core-lab here we come!

Just over a week ago we celebrated the graduation of our 2024-25 class and we are madly preparing for the next cohort. Some are taking some time before starting in the lab and others have been at the bench already, hitting the ground running. Regardless we couldn’t be more proud!

Also, building good relationships with your peers can make the program a lot less stressful and a lot more fun! Outside of the program, I enjoy reading, spending time with my friends, and going to concerts.

truly understanding the material rather than just memorizing it. So much of what we learn in laboratory science is interconnected, and having a solid grasp of the foundational concepts makes it much easier to see the bigger picture.

…has amazing educators. My favorite rotation so far has been Microbiology because I enjoy the investigative aspect of the work, and I find it rewarding to identify organisms and understand their clinical relevance. One piece of advice I’d give future students is to focus on…

Hi! My name is Grace and I am a 3+1 student from Kent State University. I chose the Cleveland Clinic MLS program for many reasons. Aside from gaining hands-on laboratory experience at one of the world's top hospitals, the program offers many well-rounded courses and…

Happy Wednesday! During their Immunology clinical rotation, students have been gaining hands-on experience with workflow of various laboratory benches. They performed tests related to allergies, autoimmune disorders, immune deficiencies, serology and selected tumor markers!

Of course getting dirty isn’t always the goal, sometimes the goal is to stay clean like in the AFB lab! The acid-fast bacilli they are working with are hardier than the average bug so they we take extra precautions.

Students are out on rotations and getting their hands dirty with bacteriology!

My advice to future students is to make friends, have fun, and learn as much as you can! The year goes by fast, you have to make the most of it! Around the Cleveland area, I love to go to concerts, hockey games, other sporting events, and enjoy all the parks and beautiful nature there is to offer!

There is so much to learn in the program, but my favorite things so far have been the blood group systems, coagulation, and parasitology. I chose this career path so I can be involved in patient care without direct contact, and because I am very passionate about my love for science.

… and hope to give back to my community and help others by becoming an MLS here. My favorite clinical rotation so far has been Microbiology, because you learn so much in the program that can be applied to real situations, and it is all like a fun puzzle to solve.

Time for another student profile!
Hi! My name is Faith Thompson and I am a 3+1 student from Ursuline College. I chose the Cleveland Clinic MLS program because I wanted to get an education from the renowned organization I know CCF to be. I have gotten care through the Clinic my whole life…

A midweek throwback to our students parasitology potluck a few weeks ago. They brought in parasite inspired dishes, no word on if anyone felt like eating….

My advice to future students is to embrace the support of your instructors and classmates and take full advantage of the endless opportunities at the Cleveland Clinic.

I have been in laboratories in other fields, but I decided that clinical work was the most fulfilling. I spend a lot of my time at the beautiful cleveland metroparks and I enjoy finding new places to eat and watching sports with my friends.