Retired Clinical Laboratory Sciences Chair Shirlyn McKenzie (center) is congratulated by School of Health Professions Dean Marilyn Harrington, Ph.D., (left) and former President Francisco G. Cigarroa, M.D.
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She developed a nationally ranked program in clinical laboratory sciences (CLS), received statewide honors for teaching excellence and was applauded by colleagues for her research, professionalism and national leadership.

Shirlyn McKenzie, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, left big shoes to fill, said School of Health Professions Dean Marilyn Harrington, Ph.D.

Dr. McKenzie retired Jan. 31 after 28 years at the Health Science Center, 23 of which were spent as program director or chair of the department.

Colleagues surprised her at a retirement reception with a professorship in her name, with donations totaling more than $25,000.

Plans to return to Health Science Center to teach
“I think one of the biggest honors is to receive this professorship,” Dr. McKenzie said. “All of the things I’ve accomplished could not have been done without the support of our excellent faculty. They are the hardest working people you’ll find.” After completing revisions to the second edition of her book, “Clinical Laboratory Hematology,” Dr. McKenzie hopes to return to the Health Science Center to teach. She was promoted to professor emeritus and chair emeritus upon her retirement.

Groundbreaking work in HIV testing
During the reception, Dave McGlasson, M.S, a former Health Science Center senior research associate and fellow leader in the prestigious American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), remarked: “I first met Dr. McKenzie when she was getting her master's degree and I was working in the Department of Pathology at the Health Science Center. Her work on T and B lymphocyte technology allowed the late Dave King (a Health Science Center research associate) and me, working under the supervision of (former pathology Professor) Milka Montiel, to set up the first laboratory in the State of Texas to handle HIV testing. This was in 1980. Her work at the time was groundbreaking.

Shown with Dr. Shirlyn McKenzie are Clinical Laboratory Sciences faculty and staff members (left to right) Dr. Cheryl Burns, Dr. George Kudolo, Doug Bearden, Dr. McKenzie, Dr. Linda Smith, Leticia Barnhart, Michelle Lopez and Rhonda Dietrich. (Click on image for full view.)

National leader in the profession
“Her activity with ASCLS is legendary,” said McGlasson, now a staff researcher in the 59th Clinical Research Division at Wilford Hall Medical Center in San Antonio. “I don't know of any position in the ASCLS that she hasn't held, including president. She was the winner on two occasions of the coveted Kendall-Sherwood Award for Hematology and Education. When I was chairman of the Publications Committee, Dr. McKenzie was always ready with input on how to get clinical laboratory scientists to publish their knowledge in peer-reviewed journals. Her opinions regarding legislation in licensing clinical laboratory scientists were highly sought in any state that was working towards state licensing.”

CLS department grows under her leadership
Dean Harrington said, “Dr. McKenzie’s reputation across this country is stellar and people are in awe of her accomplishments.” She outlined more of Dr. McKenzie’s accomplishments:

• Nationally ranked CLS program. The CLS program ranked in the top 15 in terms of research productivity, according to a national survey published in the journal Clinical Laboratory Science. The program began in 1977 as a bachelor’s degree in medical technology with an enrollment capacity of 34 students. Since then, the program has grown by nearly 100 percent to enroll 60 undergraduate students, as well as an additional 10 in the cytogenetics specialty bachelor’s program. (Cytogenetics is the study and analysis of genetic material to determine whether patients have chromosomal disorders.) The CLS program also offers master’s degrees in forensic and analytical toxicology, as well as immunohematology.


• Statewide teaching recognition. In 2007, Dr. McKenzie was inducted into the UT Academy of Health Science Education, formed to recognize and reward outstanding educators in The University of Texas System. In 2008 she was one of six Health Science Center faculty members named distinguished teaching professors. The prestigious selection was based in part on membership in the UT Academy of Health Science Education.


• Program flexibility. “Dr. McKenzie designed our CLS program to offer a flexible curriculum that accommodates the needs of our student population, many of whom are first-generation college students of modest means. Students who have promise, but not necessarily the highest grade point averages, may be admitted to the CLS Programs and are given a chance to demonstrate their ability to succeed,” Dean Harrington said. “The program also admits students three times a year — when the student is ready, not when it’s most convenient for running the program.”


• Campus leadership. “Under Dr. McKenzie’s leadership, the department has received more ASCLS professional achievement awards in education and scientific disciplines than any other program faculty in the country,” Dean Harrington said. “Four of her faculty members have earned Presidential Awards for Excellence in Teaching, one received the Minnie Piper Stevens Award and two were elected to the UT Academy for Health Science Center Education.
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Dean Harrington added, “This is a person who has made a significant difference for students, faculty members and the profession. We are so proud of her achievements and welcome her back when she is ready to teach our students.”