BCSLS Member Spotlights regularly feature a new member. We can get to know each other a little better professionally and personally. It offers us an opportunity to share our story with colleagues, inspire future college health and wellness professionals, and strengthen awareness of the profession and association.
June 2023 spotlight: Cora Burnett
What professional designations do you have and what school and city did you attend for your lab education? Certified Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate from Camosun College in Victoria BC
Describe what your current role is and what a typical day looks like for you? I am a Client Services Supervisor with LifeLabs in Victoria. I oversee 5 Patient Service Centers and have a team of 33 employees who report to me. There is no such thing as a typical day in my role, every day is different (such is often the case when you deal with customer service). I ensure my team of employees is trained, equipped, and excited to give their best to all of our customers every day.
Which career accomplishments are you most proud of? Probably my proudest moment was being able to work at the 2010 Whistler Olympics. I was a Blood Collection Officer with the Anti-doping team, and it was truly the most exciting experience of my career to date.
If you could go back 20 years to visit yourself, what advice would you give? Take the opportunities, take all the opportunities. Tune out the nay-sayers and doubters and blaze your own path!
February 2023 spotlight: Jackson Wu
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you at work? A lab analyzer caught on fire and I had to put it out.
December 2022 spotlight: Heather Autio
Which career accomplishments are you most proud of? I think I am most proud of the growth as both a laboratory technologist and as a person that I have experienced.
October 2022 spotlight: Shanise reddekopp
What do you enjoy most about school and your program? I really enjoy learning a variety of new things, but I think the best part has been the people in the program, both instructors and classmates. Almost everyone I’ve interacted with has put a smile on my face for one reason or another!
April 2022 spotlight: Larissa Nygaard
What surprises me now, is how resilient lab professionals are, they are truly the backbone of the healthcare field. They change and adapt all while maintaining the highest level of quality work and their dedication to patient care is endless.
February 2022 spotlight: Elsie chan
If you could go back 20 years to visit yourself, what advice would you give? Don’t be afraid to ask questions and keep an open mind!
December 2021 spotlight: Dylan durham
Spare time? What is spare time in a health care career? Haha! When I am not working, I like to relax at home (Covid times) and binge watch anything I haven’t already watched on Netflix
December 2021 spotlight: rosa Jo
As a new Board member I am looking forward to working with people in the same profession to elevate medical laboratory professions in BC. Thinking of innovative ways to help our professionals and the patients/healthcare system.
2021 NOvember spotlight: Tanya Kilborn
What do you like most about your position? I moved from Histology to Microbiology 3 years ago and it has been a lot of work refreshing. I love pretty much everything in Microbiology and I especially enjoy my workmates.
2021 June spotlight: Meaghan Kidd
My first lab position was at the Saanich Peninsula Hospital (SPH), a lovely community hospital with an attached long term care facility. As a smaller hospital, the lab is staffed by just a few techs and lab assistants and is able to support basic chemistry, hematology, and transfusion needs.
2021 August spotlight: michelle lui
What surprises me most about my profession is how little the general public knows about what Lab Techs do! I am also currently in a Program Coordinator role. My day involves lots of emails, a little fun in the lab, and lots of PowerPoints.
2021 April spotlight: Eleanor hooley
You’re not ready to hang up your lab coat, what are you looking forward to doing next? I am hoping, post-Covid, to look for ways to help in labs in developing countries.
2020 December spotlight: Jason Rapps
I'm an MLT who teaches microbiology and immunology at CNC. I'm a music lover and try to play my guitar on the regular.
2020 december spotlight: Franca GAglardi
If I could go back 20 years to visit myself, I would tell myself the following: live in the moment, worry is a waste and always be true to yourself :)
2021 February spotlight: Lori Donovan
There are always regional or provincial projects on the go that require countless hours, with the goal of improving laboratory services and providing quality patient care