APHL Convenes 14th National Conference on the Laboratory Aspects of Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis (TB) laboratorians from across the country gathered in Atlanta for the 14th National Conference on Laboratory Aspects of TB, March 10–12. The meeting is typically held in conjunction with the National Laboratory Coalition of America’s (NTCA) National TB Conference but was required to be rescheduled and held separately. In June 2027 we look forward to rejoining NTCA for a co-located conference. Although we missed our NTCA partners, the meeting served to highlight the collaborative nature of the TB laboratory community, and the unique role that public health laboratories play when it comes to TB testing.
Dr. Ed Desmond, Director of the Hawaii Department of Health State Laboratories Division, set the tone for the conference in his keynote address given in partnership with Dr. Janice Louie, Medical Director of the San Francisco Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program. Desmond stated that when it comes to TB, public health laboratories frequently serve a clinical role, referencing the specialized drug susceptibility testing conducted by many public health laboratories and stressing the importance of rapid turnaround times. Throughout the conference the community’s strong commitment to technical excellence and improved clinical and public health impact was evident.
During the plenary sessions and interactive discussions, attendees shared new information and practical solutions, including strategies for evaluation and implementation of new technologies, addressing technical aspects of TB and non-tuberculosis Mycobacteria testing, strengthening workforce capacity and improving workflows. The “Back to Basics” session was popular and underscored the importance of foundational laboratory knowledge in addition to pursuit of advanced technologies.
A major conference highlight was the recognition of leaders whose work has strengthened the TB laboratory workforce and enhanced TB services nationwide. Angie Schooley was honored with the On the Front Lines of TB Testing award for her “commitment, innovation and selfless service” during her 32-year career in TB testing at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories. The NTCA recognized Nate Simon (2025) from the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene and Joseph Shea (2026) from New York State’s Wadsworth Center with the Ed Desmond TB Laboratorian award for their outstanding technical expertise and service to the field. The David Warshauer TB Lifetime Achievement Award celebrated two scientists who have devoted their careers to advancing public health mycobacteriology: Dr. Max Salfinger, University of South Florida College of Public Health, and Desmond. Over the course of decades, they have worked separately and together to shape modern mycobacteriology practice and mentor generations of laboratorians. These awards served as a reminder that progress in TB testing depends not only on new tools, but also on the expertise, persistence and leadership of the people behind them.
The conference program also highlighted the people impacted by TB testing in a variety of ways. Maria Similos, author of The Black Angels: The Untold Story of the Nurses Who Cured Tuberculosis spoke to attendees about the black nurses who helped patients fight TB before and after development of the first effective antibiotics. Karen Reyna, TB survivor and advocate for Somos TB, told her story of contracting TB during pregnancy and beating it. Both speakers evoked a concept that Salfinger applied to TB several times during the conference: Never give up!
Ultimately, the conference reflected both the challenges and the momentum within TB laboratory science today. As technologies and testing systems continue to evolve, the meeting offered a valuable forum for laboratories to learn from one another, celebrate excellence and reaffirm their shared commitment to supporting TB prevention and elimination efforts through quality laboratory practice.
Thank you to all attendees and especially presenters and planning committee members for helping create an excellent conference!