Every year, the Laboratory Medicine Program presents the Lab Leadership Award to three members of our LMP team in formal recognition of the leadership they have demonstrated over the past year.
“Leadership can mean many different things in laboratory medicine,” explained Michele Henry, Senior Director, LMP, who presented the three recipients with their awards. “We have roles for ‘official’ leaders, but what makes these three winners worthy is that they demonstrate leadership in their everyday work.”
Staff are nominated by their colleagues and coworkers explaining at length why the nominee was worthy of being recognized as a leader in LMP.
Our three winners for the 2014 Lab Leadership Awards are Wes Morrison, Jennifer Hardaker and Anselmo Fabros.
We spoke with out three winners about the award and what it means to be a lab leader:
Wes Morrison:
What is your position in LMP?
I am a Medical Lab Technologist with a Molecular Genetics / Cytogenetics specialty designation
How long have you worked here?
I started in March 2004, so 10+ years!
What are some projects/activities that you are working on?
In addition to my day to day job responsibilities in the busy molecular lab, I am also a member of the LMP safety advisory group and serve as the clinical co-ordinator for Michener Institute’s Genetics Technology program. I am a strong proponent of continuing education in the workplace and along with other like-minded colleagues we try to organize semi-regular con-ed sessions for our co-workers. Outside of work I have continued my education by recently earning a Quality Management in the Clinical Setting certificate from the Michener Institute, and a LEAN 6-sigma greenbelt from the American Society of Quality. Among other things, I have been able to use the knowledge from these courses to work with other members of the lab on a electronic data integration project. As a result of the project, we as a lab have been able to reduce manual transcription errors, save technologist’s time, maximize existing electronic data technologies and take small steps towards becoming a paperless laboratory. In all of my experiences it has been my interactions with my co-workers and being able to share in the successes of each other’s accomplishments that have been the most rewarding.
What would you say to others looking to serve as “leaders in the laboratory”?
Becoming a leader in the laboratory does not necessarily have to be a conscious decision. For me, following my passions, respecting and listening to others and recognizing my own strengths and weaknesses were the easiest leadership traits to embrace and have led me to where I am now.
Anselmo Fabros:
What’s Your Position in LMP?
Senior Medical Technologist
How long have you worked here?
Nine Years
What are some projects/activities that you are working on?
I help in Method and instrument validation, procedure implementation and staff training in serology testing and the intra-op PTH bench. I also help in troubleshooting the instruments, QC review and evaluation.
What would you say to others looking to serve as “leaders in the laboratory”?
I believe leaders should have the ability to communicate and listen, and bring out the best in others to accomplish outstanding results of a collective endeavor. A leader requires a vision and needs relationships with others to accomplish task. Teamwork also plays a vital role in my shift, smallest contribution is acknowledged and recognized to keep co-workers motivated as leading by example is the best way in getting things done.
Jennifer Hardaker:
What’s Your Position in LMP?
I am Senior Cytotechnologist in Cytopathology
How long have you worked here?
I have worked for UHN for 49 years as of November 8
What are some projects/activities that you are working on?
I do routine microscopic screening as do all the other Cytotechnologists. At the moment, part of my duties involves following up specimens that get ordered in EPR, but for which we don’t get a specimen. This is usually due to order error or duplicate orders, but occasionally specimens lose their way. We notify the most responsible physician and if the specimen does exist, we institute a search, with the cooperation of Specimen Management. It is partly detective work – our own CSI (Cytology specimen investigation). We interact with Risk Management in these cases. I also assist with training and evaluation of Cytotechnology Students from The Michener Institute and from Dalhousie University.
What would you say to others looking to serve as “leaders in the laboratory”?
My advice to those just starting out in any discipline of laboratory work: Be sure to accept any challenges offered by your supervisor or management. Volunteer for projects. Take relevant courses and keep an open mind.
Usually these leadership awards are presented at the annual LMP Staff Appreciation BBQ in the summer, however with the move of the BBQ indoors this was not possible – so the awards were presented this week to each winner in their lab area.
“We heard examples of how these individuals support, teach and mentor their team members and how they tackled tough projects or volunteered for committees. We heard how these winners led by example and acted as problem solvers, positive thinkers and were enthusiastic about working with their team and for our patients,” explained Michele. “There were many outstanding nominees – which speaks to the incredible staff we have in our labs – and our three winners join an illustrious group of previous winners who all do outstanding work in our labs every day. It was a pleasure to present them with their awards.”
Wes, Jennifer and Anselmo were chosen as the 2014 Lab Leadership Awards winners from an impressive list of nominees who were all nominated by their colleagues and peers. Congratulations to the winners and all the nominees.
Lucy Andrighetti, EM Pathology
Alfreda Antonio, Histopathology
Daniel Cao, Immunopathology
Carsen Chan, Histopathology
Denise Dilworth, Specimen Mgt. Core Lab
Boris Ister, Histopathology
Nasser Jowahir, Surg Path
Eva Krolikowski, Specimen Mgt. Core Lab
Joy Lawrence, Specimen Mgt. Core Lab
Pam McCartin, Immunopathology
Patsy Raymond, Specimen Mgt. PMH
Judy Thorne, Cytopathology
Wai Wong, Histopathology
The Pathology Report 
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