Skip to main content
Blog
Aug 15, 2024

2024 Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month Toolkit

Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month is here! Join APHL in celebrating the vital work every chemist, microbiologist, informatician, administrator, training coordinator and more do to protect the health and safety of their communities around the world.

Below we have resources to help you show your appreciation! Find downloadable graphics, sample social media posts, celebration ideas, printable activities and more. And be sure to check back for updates!

Scroll to check out the whole toolkit or click to find the resources you need:

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.

Here are some graphics that highlight the various types of laboratories we are celebrating this month. Find the right size for how you plan to share:

4th Annual QIAGEN-sponsored Microbe Masterpieces & Chemistry Creations Art Contest

Enter the 4th Annual QIAGEN-sponsored Microbe Masterpieces & Chemistry Creations art contest to showcase your artistic skills and win some prizes! Create artwork that reflects your public health laboratory work: a microbe, microbial colony, biochemical analyte, chemical agent, anything! Sketch, paint, sculpt, bake, knit – use any technique you like. Anyone who works for a local, state, federal or territorial public health laboratory is eligible to enter (including environmental, agricultural and food safety labs!) Find complete entry information here.

Free VR Headsets for Training

In partnership with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), APHL is distributing virtual reality (VR) headsets to clinical and public health laboratories to support your laboratory’s training program at no cost to your lab. Thanks to these VR headsets, you can transform your training sessions with a state-of-the-art virtual laboratory, complete with over 50,000 square feet of space and 100+ pieces of equipment. Using this form, please request as many VR headsets as you feel is appropriate for your laboratory. Please share this flyer with others in your lab who might be interested in more info!

Tools for Laboratory Staff

What type of public health laboratory scientist are you?

There are so many different types of scientists working in public health laboratories and we want to showcase all of you! We created some graphics featuring Flat Labby sharing a few examples and a blank version so you can make your own. Print and display in your laboratory and/or share on social media with #ThanksPHLabs! In addition to the downloadable graphics here, we will be sharing on our social networks for easy sharing. Be sure to follow!

Celebration Ideas for Laboratory Staff

  • Take Flat Labby on some fun adventures around the lab or out on the town – here’s how! Print your own Flat Labby, take them with you, snap some pictures of your adventures, and share during Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month using #ThanksPHLabs.
  • Send a letter of gratitude to your staff, coworkers, family and friends. Here are some fun fillable letters for you to use or you can write your own:
  • Sign up with Skype-A-Scientist to virtually connect with students to help them understand public health laboratory careers.
  • Play the daily lab science themed Wordle! Every day in September there will be a new puzzle featuring a lab science word. Share your score and invite others to play!
  • Download this printable public health themed Strands puzzle! The clue is: “Don’t catch me if you can.”
  • Our new public health themed word search is ready to be downloaded and printed!

Ideas for Laboratory Leaders

  • Create a video using online tools like Memento, Tribute or Vidday with messages of appreciation for your staff. Or have your staff make one for another lab!
  • Hold a virtual or in-person open house for media, elected officials, school groups, staff families and other members of the public. Help your community see the interesting and valuable work your team is doing to keep them safe and healthy.
  • Reach out to your agency’s public information officer and ask them to share posts of appreciation on social media! Sample posts and graphics are below.
  • Hold a Flat Labby t-shirt design contest! The Flat Labby Cool cut-out page has a blank t-shirt, so everyone can create a fun, one-of-a-kind logo or design! Get everyone involved and have a contest for the best shirt!
  • Invite staff to have a Flat Labby lunch or a break together! Coloring is a great way to relax and have some fun. Print these coloring pages, gather markers or other coloring tools, and invite staff to take a break with others around the lab!
  • Play the daily lab science themed Wordle! Every day in September there will be a new puzzle featuring a lab science word. Share your score and invite others to play!
  • Download this printable public health themed Strands puzzle! The clue is: “Don’t catch me if you can.”
  • Our new public health themed word search is ready to be downloaded and printed!

Resources for Partners and Community Members

Every state has at least one public health laboratory. Some states have more than one laboratory at the state level, and some also have local or regional laboratories. While not all public health laboratories in the US are APHL members, most are. So check out our member list and map to see what types of public health lab(s) are in your state or territory. Learn more about institutional and individual membership opportunities on our website.

How can I celebrate public health laboratory teams in my community?

  • Contact the public health laboratory in your area and offer to send coffee, lunch, snack or other treats as a token of your appreciation. This list of APHL member laboratories is a great place to start.
  • Post on your social channels using #ThanksPHLabs to let everyone know how appreciative you are of the work public health labs do every day to protect the community. Graphics and sample posts are below.
  • Send thank you notes to public health laboratories and encourage others to do the same.
  • Make a video sharing how much you appreciate public health laboratories and share on social media using #ThanksPHLabs! We will compile the posts and share with APHL member laboratories.
  • Play the daily lab science themed Wordle! Every day in September there will be a new puzzle featuring a lab science word. Share your score and invite others to play!
  • Download this printable public health themed Strands puzzle! The clue is: “Don’t catch me if you can.”
  • Our new public health themed word search is ready to be downloaded and printed!

Engage on Social Media

Join the conversation on social media by following APHL and using #ThanksPHLabs throughout September. Here’s where to find us:

Sample Social Media Posts

  • 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!
  • Public health laboratory teams often work behind the scenes but our appreciation for them should be front and center! #ThanksPHLabs for keeping our communities protected from health threats and making us all feel safe!
  • Public health laboratories play a crucial role in pursuing health equity and supporting health justice. “The diseases, conditions and exposures that we track reflect socially driven inequities…” Read more: https://buff.ly/3JigMXG #ThanksPHLabs
  • “Hey now, you’re an all-star, get your game on, go play!” September is Public Health Laboratory Appreciation Month, but we are grateful year-round for public health lab teams who detect health threats like influenza, rabies and more! #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
  • 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 https://bit.ly/PHL_OneHealth #ThanksPHLabs

Graphics

“Thank you, public health laboratories!” with space to add your photo or logo for:

“Celebrate our Public Health Laboratory Staff All Stars!” for:

“Thank You Public Health Laboratory Staff All Stars!” (Facebook/Instagram Stories)

Stories to Share

Find more stories featuring public health laboratory teams across the world by subscribing to:

  • Share:
subscribe: