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TOPIC FOR TUESDAY, APRIL 29, 2025
Department Spotlight: Lab Week
MVHS Laboratory services are available for inpatients, outpatients, nursing homes and home-bound patients. We provide a unique continuity of care by offering clinical laboratory and pathology services.
Last week we celebrated Lab Week, April 20 through April 26, 2025, which recognizes medical laboratory professionals and pathologists who play a vital role in our healthcare system and patient advocacy.
To shine a spotlight on our MVHS Laboratory team, we chatted with several team members to get a better understanding of what they do and why they were interested in careers in the Lab. All of their videos are available on the MVHS YouTube and social media pages.
Edgar John Ocampo, Laboratory Clinical Educator at the Wynn Hospital
“I was always fascinated with how the Laboratory plays an essential role in diagnostics. Imagine – without lab diagnostics, how would a provider diagnose a patient’s illness? The lab gives accurate and significant results that tends to influence the treatment of patients. I’m also always interested in applying the scientific knowledge that I’ve learned in practical settings, like the Laboratory.
My day begins with collaborating with healthcare professionals and other staff, empowering them to be at their best to do what is right for our patients. Each day as a Laboratory clinical educator, I am immersed an environment filled with purpose, and a curiosity that leads to meaningful discoveries that impact patient care.”
Kimberly Hanson, Histology Technician at the MVHS Professional Office Building.
“My mom was a medical technician. When I was younger I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do, but my mom encouraged me to get into phlebotomy, so I started off as a phlebotomist, then I did some specimen processing. When this position opened up, I applied and got the position. I then ended up going back to school to get my two-year degree. What I find most rewarding about being a histology technician is knowing that I’m making a difference in patient care. I help to make sure the pathologist makes the correct diagnosis so that way the patient can get the correct care that they need.”
Melissa Mitchell, Medical Technologist and Team Lead, Core Lab at the Wynn Hospital
“I was interested in pursuing a career in Laboratory Science because I was interested in the science behind healthcare and how all of that works. I’m more of an analytical, technical person, but even though I’m behind the scenes I get to still help patients every single day. In a typical day we run quality control at various times of the day to make sure everything is accurate. We are providing data to providers so they can use that information to properly treat our patients. The most rewarding thing about my job, hands down, is knowing that my work directly affects and impacts other people, and I actually do save lives even though I’m behind the scenes. I get to help resolve complex cases and I do contribute to the overall good of public health.”
Nichole Supachana, Lab Quality Systems Manager at the Wynn Hospital
“I decided to go into the laboratory field when my sister was really young and she got really sick and I witnessed her getting poked several times unsuccessfully. I decided I would like to go into a field where I could help people with diminished veins so they did not have to go through that.
I’m not only the Lab quality systems manager, I’m also the nonclinical manager, so a typical day for me can be pretty hectic. I go wherever I’m needed for the day. As a quality manager I make sure our staff are competent and in compliance and that they are doing what is best for our patients to make sure they get to go home in a timely manner.
I enjoy working in the Laboratory because it’s not just any one person that makes any one thing happen, it is made up of a whole team that works collaboratively. From the phlebotomists getting the blood to the processors receiving the specimen to the med techs finding out the results and getting them back to our providers so that we can treat our patients.”
Steven Brunnet, Lab Assistant I/Phlebotomist at the Wynn Hospital
“A typical day for me as a phlebotomist is coming in and seeing what floors I’m assigned to and going to take lab work from patients of all different age groups. The impact of my work is critical in helping other professionals, such as doctors, diagnose and treat the patients to help them get better.
Technology has helped phlebotomists in the Lab by helping us become more efficient with our job. It’s helped with positive patient identification, and it’s helped us carry less equipment so we can work faster and more efficiently with the tools we use as phlebotomists.
What I find most rewarding is knowing I make a difference here at the hospital, knowing I make a difference in the patient’s lives and I make a difference in helping them get better and get back to their normal, day-to-day life.”
Robert Wright, Cytotechnologist
“Laboratory Science was first introduced to me as a high school student, quite frankly, as science in the laboratory, like Biology Lab or Chemistry Lab. I was always interested in getting my hands dirty, dissecting things, mixing different chemicals.
My first goal was to be a medical technologist, then I learned about Histotechnology. That path led me into the field of Pathology and eventually into Cytotechnology. I spent 10 years as a histotechnician and then decided I wanted to do a little more so I went back to school to become a cytotechnologist and I’ve been a cytotechnologist for almost 25 years.
Working at MVHS has been great for me career wise; I’ve seen a lot of different things on a microscope I haven’t seen before. When I started working at MVHS five years ago, it really opened up a world of different types of conditions I’d never seen before except for in a textbook.”
