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OLNEY, Ill. — Olney Central College Associate Professor of Life Sciences Dr. Sarah Bergbower’s commitment to excellence in clinical laboratory science is earning national recognition, including the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science’s prestigious 2026 Scientific Research Award.
Dr. Bergbower received the honors during the Joint Annual Meeting of the ASCLS, the Association of Genetic Technologists (AGT) and the Society of American Federal Medical Laboratory Scientists (SAFMLS).
The ASCLS Scientific Research Award recognizes and encourages the development of scientific research in the field of medical laboratory science within the past two years. Awards are based on specific criteria including the research’s benefit to the profession, originality, relevance to current laboratory medicine and impact on the organization’s body of knowledge or scope of practice.
The Joint Annual Meeting brings together laboratory professionals from around the globe, showcasing a broad spectrum of scientific knowledge and leadership expertise. The event features educational programs, abstracts, posters and industry engagement. This year’s conference was held in St. Louis, Mo.
Dr. Bergbower’s award-winning work involved implementing an algorithm designed to improve testing, diagnosis and antibiotic stewardship for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in pregnancy, which was the focus of her doctoral research. Dr. Bergbower collaborated with Antonio F. Saad, Natalie M. Williams-Boyer and Rajkumar Rajendran on the research, which was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM.
“It’s very humbling,” Dr. Bergbower said of her selection. “Being from a rural area, opportunities like this can feel out of reach — which makes it even more meaningful.”
Dr. Bergbower’s research examined how a dipstick urinalysis test is often used as a diagnostic tool rather than as an initial screening test for asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) in obstetric patients.
“Often, the screening test will lead a provider to believe the patient has ASB because it is normal to find leukocyte esterase in a pregnant woman’s urine,” Dr. Bergbower said.
This can lead to antibiotics being prescribed to a patient unnecessarily.
Through the algorithm, Dr. Bergbower recommended a positive dipstick screening test should be followed by a urine culture to confirm the results before antibiotics are given. When implemented and evaluated at various clinic locations within the health care system, the algorithm resulted in a 43 percent reduction in urine culture underutilization, along with a nearly 60 percent decrease in diagnosed ASB prevalence.
“The approach achieved a 50 percent reduction in unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions without increasing adverse patient outcomes,” Dr. Bergbower said. “We were able to reduce the false positive interpretations by follow up with culture and antibiotics were not overprescribed in a vulnerable population, as they can be harmful not only to the mother, but the developing fetus.”
Dr. Bergbower engaged in poster sessions regarding her research and tied for second place at the national JAM Meeting in Providence, R.I. in 2023.
The ASCLS also honored Dr. Bergbower with its Voices Under 40 and Omicron Sigma awards. Dr. Bergbower was one of seven recipients from across the United States selected for the Voices Under 40 Award, which recognizes emerging leadership skills. Honorees are selected through an application process and will be featured in the society’s newsletter.
The Omicron Sigma Award is the ASCLS President’s Honor Roll for Outstanding Service. It recognizes dedicated members who volunteer their personal resources, time and energy to support the organization.
Dr. Bergbower has held numerous leadership positions within ASCLS. She recently was elected Forum Councilor for the Clinical Laboratory Educators Forum (CLEF) and serves on the PACE (Continuing Education) Committee. She is Past Chair of the Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Sciences Advancement Committee and serves as chair of its Repository Subcommittee. She also previously served on the ASCLS Nominations Committee as an elected member.
Staying engaged and current in the clinical laboratory field is important to Dr. Bergbower, both to maintain her professional knowledge and to ensure she is sharing the most up-to-date information with her students. Her involvement in professional organizations also provides valuable opportunities to build relationships and expand her professional network.
“Academics are expected to retain their expertise and remain experts,” she said. “Science and healthcare are constantly changing. When educating, we must be aware of these updates. Professional development and being part of these organizations makes that possible.”
As the first person from Illinois to earn a Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science degree, Dr. Bergbower brings a level of specialized expertise that is unique to a rural community college. She earned her degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch and shares that experience and knowledge with her students.
Dr. Bergbower’s involvement in professional organizations also has opened doors to speaking engagements, networking opportunities, webinars and podcasts, as well as additional opportunities for professional recognition.
Dr. Bergbower said she is grateful for the opportunities her professional involvement has provided. Earlier this year, she served as a session speaker at the ASCLS-Wisconsin State Meeting and the Clinical Laboratory Educators Conference in Bellevue, Wash.
Dr. Bergbower, who joined Illinois Eastern Community Colleges in 2015, said the district has been instrumental in helping her build and strengthen professional relationships.
“Over the past four years, IECC has provided professional development funds to support my participation in these opportunities,” she said. “I wouldn’t be where I am professionally without it.”
