SEQC Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine

Executive Board of the SEQC^ML

• Dr Antonio Buño, head of the Clinical Analysis Service of the La Paz University Hospital in Madrid, assumes presidency of the Society
• The new board expresses its commitment to work and carry out different activities in favour of improved patient care
• Professional training, promoting the journal Advances in Laboratory Medicine, and a program of scholarships and grants for young professionals, as well as collaboration with other scientific societies in the clinical field, some of the areas of action of the Society
• The SEQC^ML maintains a firm commitment to improving the quality of laboratories, for which it will work to expand external quality assurance programs and defend the mandatory accreditation of laboratories.

The Spanish Society of Laboratory Medicine (SEQC^ML) has renewed its executive board for the next three years. In this new stage, the objectives are focused on continuing to work to maintain the high standards of the Society, as well as identifying new opportunities and strategies that Laboratory Medicine can influence to provide improved patient care.

The new executive board will be as follows:

• President: Dr Antonio Buño Soto
• Vice President: Dr Mercè Ibarz Escuer
• Secretary: Dr Francesca Canalias Reverter
• Treasurer: Dr José Puzo Foncillas
• Members:
  Dr Concepción González Rodríguez
  Dr Pastora Rodríguez Vázquez
  Dr Álvaro González Hernández
  Dr Goitzane Marcaida Benito
  Dr Josep Miquel Bauçà Rosselló

“Many achievements have been made in recent years and this has made it possible to position the SEQC^ML as a leading Laboratory Medicine society in our country. All this has been possible thanks to the work carried out by Dr Imma Caballé as previous president and the rest of the members who have been a part of the executive board, and the dedication of the more than 300 members who belong to the different committees, commissions, and working groups as well as the commitment of the secretarial staff”, emphasizes Dr Buño, in recognition of all the work done so far.

Priority objectives of the Society

Among the priority objectives of this new stage, the president of the SEQC^ML highlights the merger of the Clinical Analysis and Clinical Biochemistry specialties "to help resolve the current difficulties in public health contracts and vacancies".

Likewise, he cites professional training, continuing to promote the journal Advances in Laboratory Medicine, the Society’s important program of scholarships and grants aimed especially at young professionals, and the collaborations already established with other scientific societies in the clinical sector. "We believe that we can contribute our knowledge in multiple areas and that it can be reflected in the form of consensus documents, common projects, or cross-participation in our congresses, all for the benefit of patients".

Likewise, and in line with the SEQC^ML's firm commitment to improving laboratory quality, it will continue to strengthen, expand, and improve external quality assurance programs and defend the mandatory accreditation by ISO 15189 and 22870 standards together with the National Accreditation Entity (ENAC).

Tasks such as digital transformation and advanced data analysis, actions that favour the generational change that will take place in the coming years, improvement of communication with partners, with other entities, and with patients, and enhancing the visibility of the Society will also be points of focus in the coming years by the Society and that will be defined in the new Strategic Plan 2022-2024 that is being finalized.

"In short, from the executive board we are committed to working and carrying out different actions in favour of improved care for our patients," concludes Dr Buño.

In the picture, from left to right: Drs Josep Miquel Bauçà, Pastora Rodríguez, Concepción González, Goitzane Marcaida, Francesca Canalias, José Puzo, Mercè Ibarz, Antonio Buño and Álvaro González.