Science, Snacks, and Scrums: Fueling Connection and Culture in a Hybrid Workplace

By the Reference Medicine team

What happens when a remote-first team finally gets together in the same room? At Reference Medicine, we found out during Lab Week — and it was electric.

About a third of our team works fully remote from our Phoenix lab — and that modest percentage carries an outsized opportunity: the chance to blend the strengths of hybrid collaboration with powerful results. While digital tools like Slack, ClickUp, and Zoom keep us connected across locations around the world, we know that sometimes, there’s no substitute for coming together in person.

That’s why this year, we turned Medical Laboratory Professionals Week (Lab Week) — an annual celebration led by the American Society for Clinical Pathology to honor the vital work of lab professionals and pathologists — into something more. For Reference Medicine, it became a full-on team recharge that deepened relationships, sparked new ideas, and reminded us why we do what we do.

We brought the entire team together for an onsite gathering at our Phoenix headquarters, and it was more than just a meeting. It was a celebration of smart, mission-driven people who genuinely enjoy each other’s company. Lab Week gave us the perfect anchor for coming together, and what emerged was a stronger, more unified team — and a powerful reflection of the culture we’ve worked hard to build.

Why Face-to-Face Still Matters

Even in a company where the majority of employees work onsite, the chance for the entire team — remote and local alike — to come together in person has a unique impact. Being together in person allows for spontaneous brainstorming, organic relationship-building, and the kind of trust that strengthens teams over the long term.

Reflecting on our onsite meeting the week after, team members shared how face-to-face interactions reshaped the dynamics of their work. Newer employees felt integrated faster, watching cross-functional teamwork unfold live and participating in casual chats that would rarely happen on Zoom. One member of our client engagement team remarked, “Working remotely, we often focus only on action items and projects. Lab Week created space for looser conversations, and that sparked unexpected and deeper connections.”

A quality assurance associate based in Eastern Europe added, “Because I work in a different time zone, I was always hesitant to send emails or comms when it might be the very beginning of the day for my colleagues.  But after our face-to-face and getting to better know my team members stateside, I’m comfortable just shooting a message and knowing they will get back to me quickly. It’s much more direct now that my team and I are aligned on how we best communicate!”

And a teammate in customer support noted how the in-person week amplified the passion already visible remotely. “It was always apparent that Reference Medicine is a special place, but seeing it in person truly stood out. Being surrounded by passionate and thoughtful teammates left me with a stronger sense of purpose and pride in being part of this team.”

Perfect Planning Makes the Party 

Our Lab Week onsite was carefully planned with intention, balancing structured work time with moments of fun, exploration, and human connection.

We started with getting down to business in a company-wide Scrum and business overview meeting. This wasn’t just another meeting with slides and numbers; it was a shared experience where the team reviewed accomplishments, set bold goals, and — most memorably — opened themed milestone boxes together. (We’ve talked about our milestone boxes before – check out our blog to learn more.)  These tangible reminders of our collective achievements sparked excitement and pride across the group, blending business focus with delight.

Another standout moment was the open house, where families and friends were invited to HQ. There was something fun for everyone, from competitive pipetting races to quirky science-themed temporary tattoos, a taco truck, and Bubbles & Brews beverage cart. Laughter and curiosity filled the air as we showcased the work we do every day — making the company’s mission feel more tangible and shareable beyond just our internal teams.

Of course, it wasn’t all business and lab coats. A field trip to Goldfield Ghost Town and a last-minute trip to a Diamondbacks baseball game gave colleagues informal, playful spaces to connect and bond. These moments helped deepen relationships that can be harder to build over digital platforms, reinforcing the idea that joy and connection are essential parts of a high-performing team.

Memorable Moments that Shaped our Culture

What made Lab Week special at Reference Medicine wasn’t just the activities; it was the atmosphere they created.

Everyone felt pride in seeing the science behind the work, delight in quirky competitions like pipetting races, and nurture a genuine sense of belonging as colleagues opened milestone boxes and celebrated achievements side by side. For many, the most powerful takeaway was not just recognizing the contributions of lab professionals — though that was central — but celebrating the people behind every role who make Reference Medicine’s mission possible.

What We Learned, So You Don’t Have to – Tips to Make Onsite Meetings Work for You! 

Reference Medicine’s Lab Week celebration offers valuable lessons for organizations looking to strengthen hybrid or in-person teams:

• Align gatherings with meaningful events. Anchoring onsite meetings to moments like Lab Week adds significance and reinforces the company’s mission.
• Blend work and play. Balance structured business objectives with informal, fun activities that foster connection.
• Celebrate contributions. Go beyond formal recognition to honor achievements through tangible moments like milestone boxes, open houses, and shared wins.
• Plan with care, flex with empathy. Accommodate diverse needs — from dietary restrictions to travel schedules — and allow space for both connection and personal recharging.
• Sustain the momentum. Carry the energy of in-person gatherings back into daily workflows, strengthening long-term team cohesion even when working digitally.

Partying with Passion and Purpose

At Reference Medicine, we advance science not just through our tools or our tasks, but because of the people who bring passion, care, and connection to the work. Lab Week reminded us that celebrating our team — in all their diverse roles, stories, perspectives, and contributions — isn’t a distraction from the mission; it’s integral to it.

By blending the best of remote flexibility and in-person connection, we’re building a stronger, more powerful and engaged company. And whether we’re collaborating over Slack or sharing a laugh over tacos and margaritas, what binds us together is a shared passion for our mission — and for each other. At Reference Medicine, connection isn’t a bonus — it’s the backbone of the science we do.