History
The National Association of CLIA Laboratory Directors (NACLD) was created to address the
growing need for leadership development, collaboration, and peer support among CLIA
laboratory directors across the country. Despite their vital role in maintaining the quality and
regulatory integrity of clinical laboratories, many directors lacked access to dedicated resources,
leadership training, and a shared professional community.
Recognizing these gaps, NACLD was co-founded in 2025 by Drs. Xiaoli Chen, Geoffrey Baird,
Daniel Sabath, and Luis Gonzalez-Cuyar, experienced CLIA laboratory directors, with strong
support from the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at the University of
Washington. Together, they envisioned a nationwide nonprofit platform that not only
empowers current directors but also builds a pipeline of future leaders through mentorship,
education, and shared experience. NACLD supports directors from both clinical pathology and
anatomic pathology laboratories across a wide spectrum of practice settings.
The Founders
Xiaoli Chen, MD, MBA
Dr. Xiaoli Chen is the Medical Director of the University of Washington Medical Center Laboratories – Montlake and Northwest campuses. She is a Professor of Clinical Practice and a pathologist of the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology (DLMP) at the University of Washington.
Geoffrey S. Baird, MD, PhD
Dr. Geoffrey Baird is a pathologist at UW Medicine and serves as the Professor and Acting Chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology at the University of Washington. He directs the Clinical Chemistry Laboratory at Harborview Medical Center.
Daniel E. Sabath, MD, PhD
Dr. Daniel Sabath is a hematopathologist, Head of Hematology in the DLMP, and an Associate Processor at the UW. He is the Director of the Hematology and Coagulation Laboratories at Harborview Medical Center and UW Medical Center, and serves as Co-Director of the Molecular Hematopathology Laboratory at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Medical Genetics and Medicine at the UW.
Luis F. Gonzalez-Cuyar, MD
Dr. Luis Gonzalez-Cuyar is a pathologist and serves as Head of Neuromuscular Pathology at Harborview Medical Center. At the University of Washington, he holds the position of Assistant Professor of Pathology. He also serves as Associate Director of the UW Neuropathology Fellowship and Director of the UW Neuropathology Clerkship.