Success Stories

Captain Ramil C. Codina, B.S., CLS, MT(ASCP), 1995

My initial interest in the laboratory field stemmed from experiences as a Medical Service Specialist in the Air Force and soon after as a staff nurse (LVN) for Kaiser Permanente HMO in California. I realized early on that the laboratory professionals were a unique and a highly trained group of individuals. I wanted to be one of "them" from the very beginning. I vividly remember hurrying with my normal tasks so that I could be in the laboratory. The lure of the instrumentation and technology was overwhelming for me. I wanted to be "Keystone" or "Pivotal" to the patient diagnosis/care.

The UTHSCSA CLS Program prepared me to be an Officer in the US Air Force and a laboratory professional. We were taught not only to be a Clinical Laboratory Scientist who specializes in pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes of laboratory testing, but how to solve problems in a team environment and more importantly, how to think! Most of the lectures, assignments, and case studies involved real world scenarios and incorporated past learned lessons. The exams tested our ability to apply what we've learned to the current situation or scenario.

When I graduated and started working, the identical lessons/scenarios/problem sets started appearing one by one. It is impossible to remember or memorize the solutions to every problem, but what isn't forgotten is how the professors taught to solve the problem.

Many of my former classmates, senior and junior to me, are also Biomedical Laboratory Officers in the Armed Services. We find ourselves continuously comparing notes to what military awards we've won, what assignments we've been hand-picked to man, the fellowships we plan to be selected for and are already enrolled in, etc.

We come from different parts of the US, but the common bond we share is the foundation of our knowledge built at the UTHSCSA. Once I was commissioned into the AF and sent outside of San Antonio, I quickly realized that all clinical laboratory professionals do not receive the same intense, broad-spectrum education that we received at the HSC. I find many colleagues who are able to articulate medical conditions and testing required (as if read out of a book or memorized), but not able to understand nor solve problems, nor apply proper testing when they arise. This is clearly the most defining part of my education. I've also figured out that I've been taught better than the average generalist and just as capable as the specialist in Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology, Blood Banking or Microbiology because of the level of training I received at the HSC.

My professors are famous and well respected in their specialties. My former co-workers and current colleagues often use/refer to textbooks that were authored, edited, or chapters co-written by my former professors or guest lecturers themselves. Every time one of their sources are cited in a Standard Operation Procedure or Operating Instruction or cited in professional conversation, I can say that I personally know and currently keep in touch with that author/source! What an honor!

Listed here are my past and current assignments in the military:

• Associate Chief, Chemistry; Wilford Hall Medical Center, Lackland AFB, TX
• Chief, Central Operations; WHMC, LAFB, TX
• Chief, Laboratory Services, Biological Warfare Detection Laboratory, Frozen Blood Program; OsanAB, Republic of South Korea
• Chief, Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Services; Ramstein AB/Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, Landstuhl, Germany
• Chief, Technical Advice and Point of Care Testing Services; Ramstein AB, LRMC, Germany

Desireé Dingman, MT(ASCP), 1994

I graduated from UTHSC at San Antonio in December of 1994. In January 1995, I accepted a generalist CLS position at Federal Medical Center, Carswell, a Federal Bureau of Prisons facility in Fort Worth, Texas. FMC, Carswell is a federal correctional institution for female offenders. It is the only federal medical center for female offenders in the United States. Any woman convicted of a federal crime who has been diagnosed with cancer, cardiac problems, immunocompromised, hepatitis, psychiatric problems, needs surgery, etc. is sent to Carswell for treatment and follow- up. Our housing capacity is 1300 inmates, however, about 300 patients need daily medical care.

The medical center was activated in November 1994. When I started to work, I was a phlebotomist only. We sent everything out to the referral laboratory. As our laboratory services expanded, I gained hands on experience setting up a laboratory; writing procedures; performing correlation studies; adhering to CLIA ' 88 regulations and undergoing inspection; researching instruments for testing and; preparing the laboratory for College of American Pathologist(CAP) inspection. The laboratory has been CAP accredited since November 1998. Currently we perform hematology, coagulation, clinical chemistry, urinalysis, special chemistry, and microbiology testing. We report approximately 110,000 tests per year.

I was promoted to the Laboratory Technical Supervisor position in January 1997. As the technical supervisor, I am responsible for reviewing patient reports, quality control and preventative maintenance records, correlation studies for new tests or instruments, maintaining and ensuring compliance with CAP/JCAHO accreditation standards. I am also the waived testing coordinator, and the referral laboratories liaison.

I chose this position because the pay was better than other places, there was potential for upward mobility, and the position was closer to my family. My education at UTHSCSA was instrumental preparing me for this unorthodox position. The courses provided the principles of testing, which is very important when trying to understand the different instruments available and what kind of testing we want to offer our health care providers. Understanding the disease states and associating them with the different analytes is crucial. We work closely with our physicians so they order the correct test. My education from UTHSC allowed me to gain the physician's respect when they realized I have the knowledge and can assist them when needed. Thanks to UTHSCSA, I am proud of that relationship.

Matt Folsom
General Supervisor
Kleberg Cytogenetic Laboratory
Department of Molecular and Human Genetics
Baylor College of Medicine

I attended the Cytogenetic Technology Program at UTHSCSA during the 1999-2000 school year, following completion of my undergraduate degree in biology in 1998 at Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas. After looking at several medical technology programs, I found the UTHSCSA program in cytogenetic technology. After first hearing of the profession, like most of us in the field, I had no idea what it was. After reading the program curriculum, future job description, and “healthy” job market, I grew interested and applied to the program. After interviewing with Betty Dunn in San Antonio, I was anxious to attend.

Since graduating from the program in the summer of 2000, I had several offers, and immediately accepted a position at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas. I had a strong interest in cancer cytogenetics and felt this lab would be the best fit. While working the evening shift at MDA, I also took a part time position at the Kleberg Cytogenetic Lab at Baylor College of Medicine. This job kept me focused and up-to-date on non-cancer work including extensive FISH work. In May of 2001, I accepted a promotion to a section supervisor position at Baylor and left MDA. This move turned out to be a bit shaky at first, due to Tropical Storm Allison in June 2001. Since our lab was located in the basement, we were badly flooded. After moving the lab two times over the next several months, we settled down and will now be moving again soon into a new state-of-the-art facility just outside of the Texas Medical Center in October 2002. During all of this, I became and am currently performing as the General Supervisor of the Kleberg Cytogenetic Lab.

I have no doubt that the Cytogenetic Technology Program at UTHSCSA made all of this possible. Many of the comprehensive theories and practices studied while attending the program proved to be a valuable resource. I feel that this experience, along with dedication to my job is what has put me where I am now. Currently as a supervisor of a cytogenetic lab, which processes 5000 samples a year, I consult with all sections of the lab, as well as, genetic counselors and physicians locally and out of state. This experience has given me broad perspective of not only all areas of the laboratory operation, but a clinical and ethical perspective as well. For all of this, I have the UTHSCSA Cytogenetic Technology Program to tip my hat to.

To the prospective student:

I sincerely hope that you decide to pursue a career in cytogenetic technology or other laboratory profession because it CAN open doors for you. Whether you decide on graduate school, medical school, PA school, biotechnology research, pharmaceutical sales, or a better yet, a long term stay in the rapidly advancing field of genetic technology, the opportunities will arise along the way.

Annette Fothergill, B.S., MBA, CLS (NCA), MT(ASCP)

I began working at the Fungus Testing Laboratory at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio shortly after I graduated with my Clinical Laboratory Sciences degree. The FTL is an international reference laboratory for the study of fungi that cause human and animal disease. I entered the laboratory as a beginning level bench technologist and over the past few years, progressed to Supervisor and am now currently the Technical Director.

The FTL provides clinical testing of patient isolates to give identification of the isolate, susceptibility testing to determine the most active antifungal agent, and antifungal drug level monitoring once a patient is receiving therapy. In addition to the clinical function of the laboratory, we serve as a research center for testing of potential new agents and procedures.

Mycology is a specialized field where medical knowledge is limited. I have had the opportunity to learn at the cutting edge of discovery and have subsequently had the opportunity to travel across 4 continents teaching others about the clinically significant fungi. I have also had the opportunity to interface with leaders in the pharmaceutical industry acting as a consultant as they sort through a vast assortment of potential new antifungal agents in an attempt to determine which compounds show the greatest promise of actually making it to the pharmacy shelf for treatment of infections.

Each and every day holds new opportunities and challenges. I am fortunate enough to have a wonderful job that is as much fun as any leisure time activity. I would never have had the opportunity to obtain such a position without the CLS degree

Nicole Sameit, BS, CLSp(CG),

I am currently the Assistant Project Coordinator of the "Hawaii Genetic Awareness, Implementation and Date Project" for the Hawaii State Genetics Program. The major goals of our program include increasing genetic awareness through education, incorporating genetics evaluation with follow-up into public health programs, and integrating related programs to increase efficiency and avoid redundancy.

In this past year, I have conducted a state-wide genetics needs assessment of our population, planned a state-wide genetics conference for public health professionals, and helped develop a pilot study for Hawaii to expand the state newborn screening panel from 7 to more than 30 disorders. The success of the newborn screening program has surprised us. We expected about 50% of moms to have their babies testes. Instead, we've had a compliance rate exceeding 80%. This coming year, we plan on developing a learning series with accompanying educational materials for high school teachers and students as a way to integrate genetics into the curriculum.

I thoroughly enjoy my work in the genetics field. The Cytogenetics Program gave me the background in genetics I needed to get and accomplish the varied tasks in my ever-changing job. My job and Hawaii are incredible!

Karen Tindall, BS, MBA, MT(ASCP) 1985

I have had several different, challenging job opportunities in CLS since I graduated from the UTHSCSA Clinical Laboratory Science Program in 1985. Immediately after graduation, I worked in a large hospital hematology department. After two years, I was promoted to senior technologist. I then began to perform special coagulation workups, instruct CLS students and develop new procedures. In 1988, I became laboratory manager at the Cancer Therapy and Research Center in San Antonio. This was a small laboratory that expanded significantly over the years. I not only performed the tests but also maintained inventory, prepared budgets, collaborated with other departments to provide laboratory services, and maintained CAP and CLIA accreditations. In 1990, I took the specialist in hematology exam and became certified as a SH(ASCP). I went back to school for my master's degree in health care management in 1994 and graduated with honors in 1997 from Our Lady of the Lake University. My current position is Director of Laboratory Services for South Texas Oncology and Hematology. In this position, I manage four hematology laboratories around San Antonio.

I really enjoy this profession and I encourage students to pursue their interest in this field, even if they plan to eventually pursue further professional training, for example as a physician. There are many career opportunities in this area.

Tony Benetti, MS MPA CLS, MT(ASCP)

I have held several positions related to clinical laboratory science since I graduated from UTHSCSA. I started my profession in the manufacturing industry with a company that created tests and reagents for medical laboratories. My job was to approve the end products and provide technical assistance to end users. I had over 100 employees to train and educate. I was able to exceed my employer’s expectations because of the quality of education I received while in the program.

I moved from manufacturing to the clinical sector and became a lab manager for a large not-for-profit organization. I managed 16 labs and collection stations with 22 employees. This was very challenging the first year because within 3 months of my starting date our labs were inspected by COLA and JAHCO. Nevertheless, our grade was 95 for both inspections. Once again, I was able to hit the ground running in my new position on the foundations of the CLS program and the quality of the professors.

Currently, I am working for a software firm. My title is Product Manager. My functions are to help hospital labs (200 beds to 800 beds) minimize their manual processes by using software. I am working on a LIS prototype being developed in India. Other functions of my current job are to travel inside and outside of the US, performing product demonstrations at hospitals and conferences. Some of the exciting places I traveled to in the last year are Orlando, Miami, Key West, New York, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Montana, Ontario, Nassau, and Puerto Rico. I was even given the opportunity to work from my home in Puerto Rico for 3 months. Once again, I was qualified for this job because of my education in CLS, my experience and my willingness to learn. There are many positions for CLS professionals, and with the training UTHSCSA offers, you will be prepared not to do just bench work, but also other great and exciting jobs.

©2002 UTHSCSA School of Allied Health Sciences, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
All rights reserved. Updated 1/3/2005.
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