ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — The College of The Albemarle Foundation has received a grant in the amount of $18,083 from the Commonwealth Transfusion Foundation in support of College of The Albemarle’s (COA) Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program, strengthening workforce development in transfusion medicine and laboratory sciences.
College leaders and program representatives joined partners from the Commonwealth Transfusion Foundation for a check presentation held March 30, 2026, at COA – Elizabeth City, recognizing the investment in the College’s MLT program.
Photo (from left): Dr. Judson Edwards, Chair, Commonwealth Transfusion Foundation Board of Directors; Jaycee Shannon, MLT student; Karen Rengifo, MLT student; Heather Forbes, MLT student; Dr. Robert Carden, President and CEO, Commonwealth Transfusion Foundation; Valerie Mueller, Executive Director, COA Foundation; Liza Sanders, COA MLT and Phelbotomy Program Coordinator; Emily Rudisill-Parker, MLT student; and Tabitha Skinner, MLT student.
The grant will support program needs aligned with the advancement of education and training in blood banking and transfusion-related care.
Funding will assist COA in expanding instructional capacity and providing students access to updated laboratory equipment and hands-on training experiences that reflect current industry standards. As part of this effort, the College is working with partners to incorporate advanced immunohematology technologies into the learning environment, helping ensure graduates are prepared for today’s healthcare settings.
“This grant represents an important investment in both our students and the healthcare workforce across our region,” said Dr. Jack Bagwell, President of College of The Albemarle. “Through this support, we are able to enhance the training and resources available in our Medical Laboratory Technology program, ensuring our graduates are well prepared to meet the growing demand for skilled laboratory professionals and to contribute to quality patient care.”
“This funding allows us to provide our students with access to the same technology and training they will encounter in today’s clinical laboratories,” said Liza Sanders, COA MLT and Phlebotomy Program Coordinator. “Experiences like this are critical in preparing our graduates to enter the workforce with confidence and to meet the needs of our healthcare partners.”
The Commonwealth Transfusion Foundation is dedicated to advancing equitable access to blood and transfusion-related care, strengthening the transfusion medicine workforce, and supporting education and innovation in the field.
COA’s MLT program prepares students for careers in clinical laboratory settings, including hospitals, diagnostic laboratories and public health agencies. Graduates play a critical role in patient care by performing complex laboratory tests that aid in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease.
For more information on the Medical Laboratory Technology Program, contact Liza Sanders, Instructor and Program Coordinator, MLT and Phlebotomy, at 252-335-0821, ext. 2999 or [email protected].
For information on the COA Foundation, contact Valerie Mueller, Executive Director, at 252-335-0821, ext. 2265 or [email protected].
For all other COA-related information or media inquiries, contact Tammy W. Sawyer, COA Director of Communications and Marketing, at 252-335-0821, ext. 2420 or [email protected].