Dr. Susan J. Leclair: Trailblazing Excellence in Clinical Laboratory Science and Patient Education
For over five and a half decades, Dr. Susan J. Leclair has revolutionized clinical laboratory science through groundbreaking patient education initiatives and exceptional leadership.
By establishing a network of laboratory experts that collectively addressed over one million patient inquiries, Dr. Leclair has redefined the relationship between diagnostic science and patient care. Her innovative approach, combining rigorous scientific expertise with accessible communication, has elevated both laboratory professionals and the patients they ultimately serve, creating a legacy of excellence that continues to shape healthcare today. Her journey illustrates how dedication to one's field can create lasting ripples that uplift the profession and empower patients alike.
A Foundation Built on Excellence
Beginning her career in 1968 as a medical technologist at Union Hospital in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Dr. Leclair quickly established herself as someone who understood the crucial intersection between laboratory science and patient care. Her early work in various hospitals, including roles at Morton Hospital and Rhode Island Hospital, laid the groundwork for what would become a distinguished career in both practice and education. She was responsible for the creation and implementation of a Hospital-based Program in Medical Laboratory Science at The Miriam Hospital.
One of Dr. Leclair's most enduring legacies is her 35-year tenure as a professor of medical laboratory science at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. As chancellor professor emerita since 2015, she has continued to shape the field through her commitment to education and mentorship. Her approach to teaching has always emphasized the practical application of theoretical knowledge, ensuring that her students understand not just the "how" but the "why" of clinical laboratory science.
Bridging Science and Communication
Dr. Leclair's vision transcended traditional academic boundaries. She recognized early the importance of public understanding of laboratory medicine and became a pioneer in patient education and professional communication. Starting first with focused patient groups on the web, she began to answer questions about laboratory testing and both the healthy physiology and disease-based consequences to the body.
From 1999 to January 2025, she was the creator and director of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science's consumer information response team (CIRT), making complex medical information accessible to the public. With over one million questions answered, this initiative demonstrates her understanding that effective healthcare requires informed patients and clear communication between laboratory professionals and the public they serve.
Throughout her career, Dr. Leclair has consistently worked to elevate the profession of clinical laboratory science. Her contributions include:
- Authored numerous chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles
- Developed hematology education software
- Served as Hematology and Hemostasis Section Editor
- Served as Editor-in-Chief of the ASCLS professional journal
- Led committees and professional organizations
- Created educational resources for patients and physicians
Continuing Impact
Even after formal retirement, Dr. Leclair remains actively engaged in the field, working with respected experts like Dr. Ruben Mesa and online groups like the MPN Education Foundation and CLL Society to provide education for patients and physicians about laboratory tests and their impact on patient care. Her mentorship continues to inspire a new generation of medical laboratory scientists, showing how relationships can drive lasting change in healthcare.
Dr. Leclair's contributions have been widely recognized, including:
- The Heroes of Medicine Award from Cure Magazine and the International Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Foundation
- The Robin H. Mendelson Memorial Award for Outstanding Service to the Profession
- The ASCLS/Kendall Sherwood Award for Outstanding Service to the Hematology/Hemostasis section
- Multiple awards from the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth
The Ripple Effect of Mentorship
Today, Dr. Leclair's influence continues through the countless professionals she has mentored and the systems she has helped put in place. Her work in clinical hematology, oncology, human genetics, and bioethics has created a foundation upon which future generations of laboratory professionals continue to build.
Perhaps there is no better testament to her impact than seeing her former student and mentee, Dr. Kyle Riding, now serving as the 2025-2026 President of the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS). Riding is clinical associate professor and Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program director at the University of New Hampshire.
Another mentee, Dr. Brandy Gunsolus, made history as the first advanced practice Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science to graduate in the United States. Dr. Gunsolus has extensive experience in the medical laboratory and manages two laboratories, while performing physician consultation and resident teaching in laboratory medicine. Both experts have been featured in countless popular educational programs, a full-circle moment that perfectly exemplifies how Dr. Leclair's dedication to mentorship continues to shape the future of the profession.
Through her ongoing engagement with the profession and her commitment to education and patient care, she personifies how dedication to one's field can create lasting, positive change, woven into every accurate diagnosis and every empowered patient, and the professional growth of those she mentored into leadership.
A Legacy in Motion
Her trailblazing continues. Today, she, along with many of her mentees, continue to answer questions for patients, wellness seekers, and healthcare providers through the Diverse Health Hub platform to transform diagnostic questions into tools for equitable care and informed health decisions.
The impact of Dr. Leclair's career extends far beyond her impressive list of accomplishments. It lives on in the enhanced quality of patient care, the improved understanding between laboratory professionals and the public, and the continuing education of new generations of clinical laboratory scientists. Her legacy is not just in what she has achieved, but in what she has inspired others to achieve, as demonstrated by the leadership roles her mentees now hold in shaping the future of clinical laboratory science.
In honoring Dr. Leclair, we are reminded that diagnostic equity is built not only through innovation, but through compassion, communication, and mentorship. Her work teaches us that lasting change begins with a single question, a spark of curiosity, or an act of service.
How has Dr. Susan Leclair's work, mentorship, or legacy impacted you, personally or professionally?
Whether you're a colleague, former student, patient, or simply inspired by her work, your words matter. We invite you to share how Dr. Leclair has influenced your life or career. A moment, a memory, or even a single sentence can reflect the difference her trailblazing work has made.
With your permission, your message may be featured on a special Gratitude Wall celebrating her impact across generations of laboratory professionals, patients, and educators.