During her tenure, Shirlyn B. McKenzie, Ph.D., MLSCM, developed the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences into one of the leading programs in the nation and one of the top 10 programs in research activity.
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Shirlyn B. McKenzie, Ph.D., MLS, has received two prestigious awards: the TIAA-CREF Distinguished Medical Educator Award and the Member of the Year Award from the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS).

After building a nationally ranked program in clinical laboratory sciences in the UT Health Science Center San Antonio’s School of Health Professions, Dr. McKenzie retired in January 2009, but has since returned as a chair emeritus and distinguished teaching professor emeritus.

TIAA-CREF award
Dr. McKenzie is the first woman and second non-physician winner of the TIAA-CREF award, which will be presented at a banquet Dec. 7 in San Antonio. The statewide award honors outstanding medical education professionals in Texas whose work and educational contributions have set a standard of excellence in the medical community and contributed on a national and international scale to the field.

The award carries a $10,000 honorarium for the recipient as well as a $5,000 donation to The Health Museum (also known as the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science) for summer camp scholarships.

“For the seventh year in a row, TIAA-CREF is honored to recognize an outstanding leader in the Texas medical community,” said Mario E. Ramirez, national director of the Wealth Management Group in Executive Planning at TIAA-CREF. “Dr. McKenzie’s influence is profound and pervasive, as her teaching and national leadership have influenced medical laboratory science professionals around the world. Her work embodies TIAA-CREF’s mission of serving those who serve others.”

“We are very proud of Dr. McKenzie and the results of her efforts to build a nationally recognized Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio,” said Health Science Center President William L. Henrich, M.D., MACP. “She is one of those rare individuals who has excelled in many areas, including education, research and leadership on a national basis.”

Dr. McKenzie said, “It is my greatest honor as an educator to be selected as the TIAA-CREF Distinguished Medical Educator Award. Being the first woman and second non-M.D. winner is especially meaningful to me as it provides recognition that women as well as non-M.D. health educators are important members of the health care educators’ team. Interprofessional education requires recognition and respect for all health care disciplines and educators. I believe that my selection is evidence that interprofessional education is a priority in Texas.”

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science award
Dr. McKenzie also was named the ASCLS Member of the Year recently at the organization’s annual meeting. She has been a longtime, active member of ASCLS, serving as chair of the scientific assembly, a member of the board of directors and president.

“About 30 years ago, when I first joined this professional organization I was amazed and very impressed by its leaders,” Dr. McKenzie said. “They had a great influence on my career. Although I never dreamed of holding a board position, especially president, I wanted to learn from these leaders and become involved in the organization. Many of its leaders became my mentors, although some didn’t know it. The networking was phenomenal and I soon became involved on the local, state and national level. I never expected that one day that I would be named Member of the Year. It is a great honor to be selected by my peers for this prestigious award.

She added, “I am grateful for the support of the Health Science Center’s Clinical Laboratory Sciences faculty, my professional colleagues and my family that allowed me to grow as a leader in my profession.”

Recipients of this award are selected based on lifetime contributions to the profession and to the ASCLS throughout their membership. All nominees are evaluated by their involvement in ASCLS activities at local, state, regional and national levels, participation in clinical laboratory science honor organizations and professional honors achieved. Also taken into account are nominees’ contributions to the profession, including government and licensure activities and their work that promotes clinical laboratory sciences in the community.

Dr. McKenzie earned her undergraduate degree in medical technology and biology from the University of Wisconsin -Superior. She completed her education in medical technology at St. Luke's Hospital School of Medical Technology in Duluth, Minnesota. She went on to earn her Master of Science in biology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and her Doctor of Philosophy in administration of higher education from Texas A&M University.

Dr. McKenzie’s work at the UT Health Science Center
In 1980, Dr. McKenzie became an instructor and later program director of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at the UT Health Science Center San Antonio. Dr. McKenzie was named chair of the department in 1985 and was promoted to full professor in 1995. Under her guidance, the department grew from a small, single-focus baccalaureate program to one that offers multiple undergraduate and graduate options and flexible degree plans for students with a variety of backgrounds who wish to enter the medical laboratory disciplines. Today, the department is recognized as one of the leading clinical laboratory sciences departments in the United States and has been named as one of the top 10 CLS programs in research activity.

Dr. McKenzie has published 27 abstracts, 19 chapters and four books (two in Spanish translation) in addition to numerous editorials, journal articles and article reviews. She developed the first Web-based course offered by the University of Texas Telecampus. Having written a leading textbook on clinical laboratory hematology that is used nationally as well as internationally, she has literally taught thousands of medical laboratory scientists throughout the world. She is an accomplished speaker, having given over 150 presentations at state, national and international meetings.

Dr. McKenzie has received numerous honors, including the Presidential Award for Excellence in Teaching, the most prestigious UT Health Science Center teaching award. She was inducted into the university’s Academy of Master Teachers. In 2006, she was selected as a member of The University of Texas Academy of Health Science Education in recognition of outstanding contributions to health science education. The Texas Association for Clinical Laboratory Science (TACLS) named her as the Texas CLS Educator of the Year and the ASCLS awarded her the Sherwood Award for professional achievement in education.