While in high school, my primary career goal was to become a certified
Medical Technologist. Thanks to
a tenth grade biology teacher, I was introduced to the exciting world of
laboratory
science. "Ms. BugLady's World" evolved because this perceptive teacher encouraged
students to pursue their career interests. These actions lead to my present work with middle
and high school students... introducing them to various
laboratory and
technology careers.
Upon graduation, I attended Morgan State
University located in Baltimore, Maryland. At Morgan State(MSU), I majored in Medical
Technology and completed my
medical technology training at Union Memorial Hospital - School of Medical Technology(UMH-MT). After a twelve-month internship, I received a
Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from MSU, and a Certificate in Medical
Technology from UMH-MT.
After college, I worked in medical research at the Carnegie Institute of Washington -
Department of Embrology. During this time, I took
and passed the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP)
national
certification exam for medical technologists. I had accomplished my primary
career goal... to become a certified Medical Technologist. I had earned the right to use
the initials, "MT(ASCP)", after my name to show proficiency in medical technology.
Shortly after, I accepted a medical technologist position in the Bacteriology Lab at a
local hospital. Another goal had been reached... to work in medical microbiology with "the bugs".
In the early 70s, a patient's death due to a disseminated gonococcal infection propelled
my interest toward the management of sexually transmitted diseases. This interest lead to
graduate work in community health, and the decision to enter public health. The delivery of
laboratory services in STD clinics became my professional focus. After several
years as a bench medical technologist, I entered public health as the laboratory coordinator
(Bureau of Disease Control) at a local health department.
Through the work in public health, I discovered another career opportunity... medical
laboratory training. My professional goal is to help others understand how and why various
laboratory procedures are performed in the identification of microorganisms commonly associated
with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Over the years, medical laboratory training have
lead to opportunities in laboratory consulting, international travel, and internet technology.
The laboratory consulting work lead to assignments as a national
medical trainer, and an international medical
consultant. The various "field" assignments enabled me to work with other
medical professionals in
Turkey, Kenya,
Egypt, and
Uganda. These assignments have been
challenging and rewarding experiences.
The critical role of the medical laboratory offers
unlimited career opportunities.
It is true that... "Your opportunities are limited only by your imagination."
In a career full of options, many choices lead to Ms. BugLady's World"!
