3 Questions with Silvia Flores Toledo, MLS, MPHc

For Silvia Flores Toledo, MLS, MPHc, the most rewarding and fascinating aspect of laboratory medicine is its constant evolution and its ability to transform healthcare. She is passionate about seeing how automation and artificial intelligence allow for the opportunity to diagnose diseases in earlier stages and with unprecedented precision, which not only benefits individual patients but also contributes to public health at a global level. Clinical chemistry in particular is a deep interest of Ms. Flores Toledo’s, since clinical correlation with tests performed is an area where quality, knowledge of methods, and data evaluation are crucial to ensuring accurate and clinically timely results. Her experience has taught her that the greatest potential to improve patients’ lives and clinical outcomes lies at the intersection of technology, quality management, and strategic vision. 

Here, Ms. Flores Toledo, Chair of the Peru Advisory Board for ASCP Board of Certification (BOC), shares more of her thoughts on a career in the laboratory.  

What initially drew you into the field of laboratory medicine and what inspired you to pursue it professionally? 

During my academic training, the rigor of experimental chemistry, biology, and experimental physiology fascinated me. My interest in providing better patient care, in addition to participating in research, and my deep desire to contribute to public health led me to the profession of medical laboratory science, later, to my postgraduate degree in Public Health. This trajectory has not only defined my role as a university professor, where I am dedicated to training the next generation of leaders in our field, but also my vision as a researcher. My goal is to drive continuous improvement in clinical laboratory processes, from the pre-analytical phase to the results validation through continuous improvement of these processes, research, and the implementation of new methods. Through education, I seek to ensure that future professionals acquire the necessary technical competencies and service-oriented attitude to positively impact the health of the population, with the Professional ASCPi certification being a fundamental tool to achieve this standard of excellence. 

What lessons have you learned through the different volunteer roles you have held? 

My volunteer role, especially on the ASCP BOC advisory board of Peru, has been a catalyst for my professional development. This experience has given me a global perspective on the challenges and opportunities faced by laboratory professionals in different countries, which has enriched my perspective and allowed me to share my experience to promote the ASCP BOC’s mission internationally. As part of this work, I have had the satisfaction of supporting professionals and recent graduates in achieving their aspirations, such as obtaining the ASCPi credential, an achievement that directly contributes to elevating standards in the medical laboratory field globally. My professional commitment has also allowed me to participate in working groups of regional and international scientific societies and university education on topics of continuous education, new trends, and advances in the clinical laboratory through talks, research, and the publication of scientific articles where we discussed how clinical analyses could influence medical decision-making—a specific example being the interaction of substances or sample stability that can influence clinical analysis—thereby strengthening the opinion of the laboratory professional in the scientific community. 

What are some of the biggest challenges facing your field, especially with regard to supporting patient care? Can you share a moment when you felt especially connected to patient care through your work? 

The biggest current challenge is the need for continuous learning to keep up with technological changes, new methodologies, and quality management. However, this challenge is also an opportunity to innovate and improve to provide the best care for our patients. I must mention that my deepest connection with patient care was established during my pre-professional internships at an oncology national hospital, where teamwork between interns, laboratory professionals, and clinical pathologists was essential to obtain accurate and clinically timely diagnoses for children with leukemia. It was there that I understood that every sample is valuable and that the quality of our work has a direct impact on the lives of our patients. Other impactful situations I faced during my training were in the emergency area, where the confirmation of a myocardial infarction or the need for an urgent transfusion requires the speed and accuracy of our results. These moments remind me that, although we do not interact directly with the patient, our work is the basis of timely and accurate diagnosis, monitoring and treatment, and that is where our professional value lies. This experience has shaped my professional vision and my commitment to excellence.