looking confidently towards the future

As I am writing this message I feel sincerely privileged to serve as your President for the next couple of years and I am happy to share with you my message of Looking Confidently Towards Our Future.

First, I would like to thank all our past presidents and vice-presidents for their commitment to lead our society and my special thanks to Dr. Michael Knauer, my OSCC council colleagues, and all of you for endorsing my new role.

As we welcome a new year, the most important asset we have as a peer society is not only our past accomplishments, which are many, but also our self-confidence and belief in the future of our profession.

We have come a long way proving the worth of the work of Clinical Chemists in healthcare: we have a larger membership; we are active in national and international associations; we collaborate with AC Diagnostics and IQMH; we hold joint scientific meetings with the ADLM Upstate NY colleagues in USA; we participate in the Ontario Laboratory Medicine Program (OLMP).

But we have yet to achieve more. We are yet to gain more visibility and recognition by patients, physicians, and other key healthcare providers. Towards this goal it is key that we enhance the public awareness of our profession, consolidate our interaction with the Ontario medical and other clinical scientists’ communities, and work towards regulating our profession. It is my hope that during my presidency these objectives will be advanced, building on the foundation laid out by our previous efforts. To further our influence, I am also hoping to initiate efforts towards collaboration with peer societies outside North America.

To my OSCC council colleagues: many thanks for your dedication and I look forward to working together with Dr. Matthew Lafreniere, vice-president; Dr. Michael Knauer, past president; Dr. Ashley Di Meo, treasurer and Dr. Annie Ren, interim treasurer; Dr. Ola Ismail, secretary; Dr. Felix Leung, Chair Professional Affairs; Drs. Ivan Stevic and Sean McFadden, councillors.

Wishing you all a healthy, joyful and prosperous 2026!

Dr. Cristiana Stefan, PhD DABCC (CC, TC) FADLM

OSCC President