Although several laboratory activities have been quite challenging, my laboratory
career has offered exciting professional experiences. As a laboratory instructor, one of
the career highlights has been the exchange of information, ideas, and resources with other medical
professionals. The most valuable benefit has been the oppportunity to help others
understand the role of the lab in the diagnosis of infectious diseases.
In the laboratory, my primary laboratory task is performing microscopic
examinations for microorganisms commonly associated with sexually transmitted diseases.
At times, it is like looking for a "needle in a haystack". While the microscopic search may
be tedious, finding a specific microorganism is quite rewarding. When a "beautiful specimen" defined as a textbook picture of the microorganisms, buzzers are
heard in Ms. BugLady's laboratory.
Thus, the name... Ms. BugLady.
After sixteen years of working in the laboratory as a medical technologist,
laboratory coordinator, and laboratory trainer, it was decided to focus on
laboratory training
and consulting. As a
Laboratory Consultant, I conduct national, and international training courses pertaining to
the laboratory identification of microorganisms commonly associated with sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs). This decision has offered the flexibility to participate within
various disease control, reproductive health, and educational programs.
As a consultant and medical trainer, I have participated on various
reproductive health projects in Turkey, Uganda, Egypt, Kenya, and other countries. Over the
years, the "field" assignments have heightened my professional interest in the management
and delivery of laboratory services on a global level.
The most rewarding laboratory-related activity is conducting career
planning presentations within middle, high schools,and colleges. These presentations offer
the opportunity to share my career experiences with middle, and high school students. The
presentations are designed to help students become aware of the various opportunities
within laboratory science. It is hoped that one or more student(s) may become
interested in laboratory and technology careers.
