Washington, DC, July 15, 2009 - In response to the growing number of Lab Tests Online websites worldwide, AACC announced that D. Robert Dufour, MD has been named to the newly created position of Executive Editor for the global network. Dr. Dufour is a 9-year veteran of Lab Tests Online, an award-winning patient information website, and an original member of the site’s Editorial Review Board. He has served as the Board’s editorial liaison to the international collaboration for the last five years. AACC made the announcement at the start of its 61st Annual Meeting for clinical laboratory scientists which is being held at the McCormick Place Convention Center, Chicago, IL July 19 – 23.
In announcing the appointment, AACC President, Barbara Goldsmith, PhD, cited Dr. Dufour’s unique qualifications for the position: “Bob’s in-depth knowledge of Lab Tests Online and his familiarity with laboratory medicine as it is practiced abroad make him an ideal choice to help our international partners sustain the level of quality that people expect of Lab Tests Online. AACC is very grateful for his continued contributions to making Lab Tests Online a success in the U.S. and elsewhere”.
The Executive Editor’s primary role will be to support the implementation of the Lab Tests Online editorial policies and guidelines at the Lab Tests Online sites in Europe, Australia, and very soon, in Asia. It is through these policies and guidelines that AACC believes it can best maintain the high levels of quality and consistency of Lab Tests Online in each country. Dr. Dufour says he expects to increase the frequency of communication with the editorial teams of each site, both virtually via email and telephone, and in face-to-face meetings, and provide assistance as they confront many of the same editorial issues faced in the United States. AACC anticipates that, by the end of 2009, there will be 14 live versions of Lab Tests Online in 12 languages, including Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Chinese.
Dr. Dufour, who retired in 2005, nevertheless maintains an active schedule that includes frequent speaking and teaching engagements around the country, conducting international CAP (College of American Pathologists) inspections, and working 2 days a week at the VA Medical Center in Washington, D.C. In addition, he continues to write and edit books on laboratory medicine, as well as maintain his editorial responsibilities to Lab Tests Online.
Along with his many professional activities, Dr. Dufour has also served on the AACC Board of Directors as well as numerous committees. He has also served as President of AACC’s National Academy of Clinical Biochemists.
For more information about AACC or Lab Tests Online, follow the links or contact the AACC Press Office at the Annual Meeting on (312) 791-6618.
Lab Tests Online has been designed to help the patient or family caregiver better understand the many clinical lab tests that are part of routine care as well as diagnosis and treatment of a broad range of conditions and diseases. For medical professionals, the site can serve as a quick reference tool or as a resource for keeping up with advances in laboratory science.