The ACB marks its 70th anniversary
In celebration of the 70th anniversary of the Association, ACB President Bernie Croal provides the following statement.
"The ACB is 70 years old this year, having been founded on 28 March 1953 at the inaugural meeting at the Hammersmith Hospital in London, attended by 75 members. Since then, there have been huge advances in science, medicine and healthcare, with the role of laboratory diagnostic tests expanding across screening, diagnosis, monitoring and treatment.
Our membership has also expanded significantly over this time, partly due to the integration of several professions under one Association. In 2007, the Association of Clinical Scientists in Immunology merged with the ACB, with the Association of Clinical Microbiologists following suit in 2010. Accordingly, at our 60th anniversary in 2013, the original Association for Clinical Biochemistry organisation name changed to Association for Clinical Biochemistry and Laboratory Medicine to reflect the expanding focus and specialties within our membership.
In parallel, during this time, the ACB has been continuously developing its journal, the Annals of Clinical Biochemistry, and, more recently, the patient-facing website LabTestsOnline, which provides valuable information about laboratory tests directly to patients.
Over the decades, the ACB has modernised, taking practical steps to promote and implement necessary changes across equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) and environmental sustainability. More recently, many ACB members fulfilled vital frontline roles during the COVID-19 pandemic around test development, infection control and vaccine development, thus showcasing the innovation within our profession.
Looking forward, the Association aims to further cement its role as an important voice for laboratory medicine, while increasing collaboration with other learned societies in the UK and overseas. Additionaly, providing a platform and opportunities for members to work collaboratively is a key component of ACB membership – this will be especially important in the coming years as it helps meet the challenges of pandemic recovery, economic downturn, patient care backlogs and global warming.
We are marking the ACB’s Platinum Jubilee and celebrating our achievements in a number of pragmatic and appropriate ways. Firstly, look out for the ACB News 70th anniversary edition in June, which will spotlight members’ reflections on important milestones in laboratory medicine and the challenges lying ahead. Secondly, UKMedLab23, taking place in Leeds in June, will be an opportunity to celebrate our scientific community in person, both within the programme content and the social events. Last, but not least, our special edition 70th anniversary logo, which you may have already spotted in our communications, is a visual memento informing members, other scientific organisations and the public of our important milestone.
Whilst boasting 70 years of excellence in laboratory medicine, it’s vital we keep our eyes firmly on the future and collectively strive to pursue even greater achievements and milestones as members, staff and other key stakeholders of the ACB. I look forward to us all marking the occasion together in the months to come."
Bernie Croal, President, ACB