Which laboratories are “public health” laboratories?
When we say “public health laboratory” we mean local, state, federal and territorial government laboratories focused on protecting the public’s health. That includes laboratories performing human, environmental, animal and food testing to monitor for and detect health threats. Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month
Every September, we recognize and celebrate the vital role public health laboratories play in protecting our communities. Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month is a time honor the unsung heroes behind disease detection, outbreak response, environmental monitoring and countless other public health functions that keep us safe every day.
Questions?
Contact the Membership team: [email protected]
Say Thank You
Why We Celebrate Public Health Laboratories
Throughout the month of September, APHL honors the dedicated laboratory scientists and staff who work tirelessly to protect the health and safety of the public. Public health laboratory professionals are the unsung heroes behind disease detection, outbreak response, environmental monitoring and countless other public health functions that keep us safe every day.
This month is also an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of public health laboratory systems, highlight their achievements and advocate for continued investment in their infrastructure and workforce. Their expertise and commitment are essential to identifying emerging health threats, supporting emergency preparedness and disease prevention.
Help Recognize our Community
Celebrate with Us!
Join us in celebrating the people and the science behind public health laboratories. Follow APHL on social media, explore stories from the field, and learn how you can support and amplify the work of these critical institutions.
QIAGEN-sponsored Microbe Masterpieces & Chemistry Creations Art Contest
The 6th Annual QIAGEN-sponsored Microbe Masterpieces & Chemistry Creations Art Contest has become a highlight of Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month. Check out all winning entries below. You can also find the 2026 entries on Facebook!
Thanks to QIAGEN for their continued support of Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month and APHL!
- Most Unique: Under the Wave(s) of Outbreaks-2026 by Niamh Gray, Texas Department of State Health Services
- Best Use of Recycled Materials: Discontinued but not forgotten. No longer in our lab, but forever in our hearts. By Lorrie Martin, Ariana Wilson, and Lauren Parks, Microbiology Food Lab Team, Vermont Department of Health
- Best Scientific Representation: Science Crochet! By Amanda Fessenden, Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory
- Best Representation of the “Legends” Theme: The Legendary Flat Labby by Jessie Choi, Texas Department of State Health Services
- Grand Prize: Under the Wave(s) of Outbreaks-2026 by Niamh Gray, Texas Department of State Health Services
Legends Toolkit Materials
We have loads of ideas to help you have a legendary Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month celebration! Check out the materials listed in the toolkit and peruse what other labs did last year in the photos below. Get creative and have fun!
- Flat Labby Cutouts - Take Flat Labby on your daily adventures and share with #ThanksPHLabs! Check out How to Flat Labby for instructions and check out this fun video for inspiration.
- Get your brain fired up with these fun Legends themed games. Connections Game 1, Connections Game 2, Mad Libs 1, Mad Libs 2, Crossword Puzzle with answer key (no peeking)
- Coloring Pages
- Labby Letters - Tell a colleague you appreciate them with a Labby Letter: You Are Amazing, Thank You, You Are a Hero. You can fill it out online or print it out and fill it out later.
Join the conversation on social media by following APHL and using #ThanksPHLabs throughout September. Use this year's "Legends" themed graphics to celebrate public health laboratory staff. You can also make your own with your team photo included.
Graphics
How to use these images: Click on the image, right click and Save Image As, then use the image to post on your social media channels.
- Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month Facebook/LinkedIn
- Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month Instagram
- Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month Facebook Story
- Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month Portrait
- I am a BT Coordinator.
- I am a Chemist. I test blood.
- I am a Microbiologist. I test brains.
- I am a Microbiologist. I test milk.
- I am a Microbiologist. I test mosquitos.
- I am a Radiochemist. I test water.
- I am a ST Coordinator.
- I am a Scientist. Make your own amazing graphic by adding your picture and what you do!
Social Posts Templates
Use these social posts to celebrate public health laboratory staff throughout September.
- Public health isn’t possible without public health laboratories. This September, we honor the scientists, technicians, and staff who keep our communities safe, one test at a time. #ThanksPHLabs
- Public health labs are the unsung heroes of our healthcare system. This month, we’re giving a big thank you to the lab staff who work tirelessly to protect our health. Join us! #ThanksPHLabs
- Not all heroes wear capes, some wear lab coats! Join us in thanking public health laboratory teams during this public health laboratory appreciation month. Their impact is immeasurable. #ThanksPHLabs
- Every September we recognize public health laboratory professionals who work passionately to protect the health of all people and all communities. Their work saves lives daily. Join us in saying #ThanksPHLabs
- From flu testing to an oil spill, public health laboratories are an important line of defense. Whether testing human, animal, environmental or food samples, lab teams are keeping us safe from serious health treats. Learn more at www.aphl.org/OneHealth #ThanksPHLabs #OneHealth
Celebration Ideas
