Posted on June - 12 - 2010
My Life/My Job: Solving patients’ needs provides satisfaction for blood center boss
Lisa Williams-Taylor is the vice president of laboratory operations at Lifeblood.
Résumé
Employer: Lifeblood, 1040 Madison, the region’s only full-service, nonprofit blood center. Lifeblood provides opportunities to donate blood throughout the year. For more information or to schedule an appointment, go to lifeblood.org or call (888) LIFEBLOOD (543-3256).
Age: 45
Hometown: Millington
Education: Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. Medical Laboratory Scientist and Specialist Blood Banking Certification by American Society of Clinical Pathology
Personal: Married 14 years to husband Ron. Two children: Hannah, 8, and Jake, 7; stepdaughter Lacey; granddaughter Khloe.
Civic involvement: Associate member, American Society of Clinical Pathology; member, Greater Memphis Area Blood Bank Association; member, Parent Teacher Association, E.A. Harrold Elementary School.
The details
First job: When I was in high school, I worked at a retail clothing store, Stuart’s, in the Raleigh Springs Mall. This job taught me to listen to my mother about wearing good shoes. Stuart’s associates are required to stand for long periods of time. From working at Stuart’s, I gained the skill of dealing pleasantly with the public whether I felt pleasant or not. In college, I worked at The Med as a student medical technologist in the blood bank and I learned that reality really is stranger than fiction.
Most recent job: Lifeblood vice president, laboratory operations. I oversee daily laboratory operations including technical and administrative activities for component production, immunohematology, processing and product quality control.
Career highlights: My career highlights occur when one of my co-workers, staff or customers bring me a problem and I work with them to resolve the problem. My best moments are the ones when I realize that I have the answer they need.
Most satisfying career moment: Patients’ needs (regularly) challenge our blood center. It might be special blood type requirement or a rare component product. Each time, a successful outcome gives me the reassurance of why I am in the blood bank business.
Career advice: There is nothing to hold you back, except yourself. Work hard and enjoy what you do.
Person I most admire: It is very hard to list one person I admire. Just like lifelong friends that touch your life, I have had several people that have touched mine and made me admire their qualities. My fifth-grade teacher, Mr. Como, taught me to perform math problems in under a minute and how to organize work in order to accomplish any task. My high school teacher, Mr. Leonard, taught me that life is short and you have to keep going. Dorothy Lenoir, a former supervisor right after college graduation, pushed me to achieve things I didn’t think were possible. My grandfather, who taught me the only way to repair something is to meticulously take it apart. My dad taught me that the greatest lesson in life is to work hard for what you want.
Hobbies: Everything with my children, especially outdoor activities.
Favorite film: “Legends of the Fall” and “Young Frankenstein”
What is something about yourself that most people don’t know about you. I like to drive through Elmwood Cemetery. There is something reassuring about driving over that bridge into the silence and peace. Some things do last forever.
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