Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month

• Grand Prize: Under the Wave(s) of Outbreaks-2026 by Niamh Gray, Texas Department of State Health Services; "It's  inspired by the Japanese woodblock print Under the Wave off Kanagawa. I believe the crashing waves, fishers, and sleek, nimble boats are powerful metaphors for what public health labs and public health in general, have dealt with in the last year: Labs and laboratorians across the country have been weathering the onslaught of wave after wave of outbreaks and emergencies and have continued our mission in the face of record cases (mostly) of Cyclospora, salmonella, New World Screwworm, measles, Ebola, cryptosporidium, norovirus, hantavirus, and monkeypox. Microbiology labs are not alone in feeling the burden of increased testing and cases; all laboratory areas and laboratorians have endured the heavy lift in being faced with the resource demands and limitations that arise due to the specimen and testing surges. So, while not yet on dry land, public health laboratorians endure in the seas of uncertainty in our dedication to public service."

• 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; " Our inspiration was the (very sad) discontinuation of our favorite brand of inoculating loops and needles."
  
• Best Scientific Representation: Science Crochet! By Amanda Fessenden, Maine Health and Environmental Testing Laboratory; "Everything is crocheted, the racks were made around sticks to create structure. We have a Bunsen Burner, a rack with a very shocked flask boiling over, ‘Earlene’ The Erlenmeyer flask, a rack of test tubes, (the gasses escaping are made with angora rabbit fur brushed out of a coworker’s bunny; he’s a very reliable fiber source) and then “Peter” the pipette. (No copyright infringement here, so the brand is RAINING!)

• Best Representation of the “Legends” Theme: The Legendary Flat Labby by Jessie Choi, Texas Department of State Health Services; "Meet the Legendary Flat Labby – wearing honorable hood, hat, and shoes earned only by the Grand Masters of pathogen detection and identification!! From sample to extraction to PCR/qPCR to identification, the Legendary Flat Labby hunts down major pathogens like Listeria, E. coli, norovirus, Cyclospora, and more!! The most important mission of every legendary journey is protecting our food, water, environment, people, and the communities we call home! What keeps this legend going? - "Science today, healthier tomorrow."
   
• Most Unique: Under the Wave(s) of Outbreaks-2026 by Niamh Gray, Texas Department of State Health Services; (See the description above.) 

• Do-it-Yourself Photo Booth Instructions
• Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month Letters
• Legends Flags
• Large Speech Bubble Props
• Small Speech Bubble Props
• Themed Props
• Digital Fillable Props

• 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