Carol A. Gomes, MS, MT(ASCP)HTL, DLM, was given the ASCP's 2008 Member Excellence in Management Award.

The award was established to honor an ASCP laboratory professional Member who is actively engaged in laboratory management or supervision and has demonstrated effective leadership skills and management strategies regarding personnel, finance, and operations.

A patient safety advocate for many years, Gomes is Associate Director for Quality Management; Continuous Quality Improvement Director at Stony Brook University Medical Center.

"She has unfailingly been supportive of the ASCP and the larger healthcare community and has served as an example to laboratory professionals of outstanding commitment to her chosen field of work," said Patricia K. Knebel, MT(ASCP), past chair of the ASCP Associate Council.

Before serving in her current position, Gomes held several positions in the laboratory including medical technologist in a chemistry lab; histotechnologist and surgical pathology section supervisor; administrative coordinator; lab clinical applications manager; lab quality assurance coordinator; hospital continuous quality improvement director; and assistant director for medical and regulatory affairs.

A past chair of the ASCP's Associate Member Section (AMS) (now known as the Laboratory Professionals Council), Gomes has served the ASCP in numerous ways.

She first got involved with the ASCP in 1986. "While in the profession for two years, I was invited to serve as an ASCP staff assistant at a National Meeting," said Gomes. "It was exciting to attend my first national meeting and meet so many well-recognized individuals in the field. It also sparked further interest to continue connections with ASCP which led to participating on committees, presenting lectures and serving on the board."

Since then, she served as an ASCP-AMS New York state advisor and a resource person for the Career Recruitment Network. She was chair of the ASCP-AMS Professional Affairs Committee and she also wrote for LABMedicine and Tech Sample®. Gomes served on the ASCP-AMS Plan & Scope Committee, served as an ASCP representative to the Health Professions Network, and has presented many ASCP workshops.

In 2001 and 2002, when she served as Chair of the ASCP-AMS, she did much to build a relationship with the CLMA and begin collaborations with other organizations. It was also the year that ASCP registrants were given ASCP membership status.

In the years after she served as Chair, Gomes was a member of the CLMA/ASCP Conference Committee, the LABMedicine Editorial Advisory Board, the ASCP Leadership Exchange Committee, and the ASCP Task Force on Facing the Future.

"ASCP has served as a foundation for me to hone presentation skills, network with leaders in the field, build leadership skills by serving on planning and educational committees and meet other professionals who have since become my friends," said Gomes. "The ASCP staff is dedicated and committed to its members and works hard to advocate for the profession."

She has presented numerous workshops in the areas of quality management and performance improvement for the ASCP, CLMA, the University Health System Consortium, and Harvard Colloquium for Quality and Patient Safety. She is a lecturer in the Stony Brook School of Health Technology and Management and in the Harriman School of Management and Policy/School of Professional Development.

Gomes has participated in leadership roles in a number of professional organizations, including the Program Committee of the Healthcare Leaders of New York chapter of the American College of Healthcare Executives and as a member of the Clinical Laboratory Management Association Board of Directors (1990-2002).

"Her commitment to continued professional development has enabled her to become a recognized spokesperson for quality in the laboratory and the entire healthcare system," said Knebel.

Gomes has three young children, Rebecca, Rachel, and Paul. "Rebecca and Rachel were adopted from Colombia," said Gomes. "While in the process of adopting Rachel we learned that we were expecting a new addition to the family. Going from zero to three children in less than three years was quite exciting."

Gomes lives on the North Shore of Long Island, NY, with her husband Lyle. "Toward the east, we can visit the Hamptons and enjoy the wonderful wineries and beaches," said Gomes. "Heading west, we are close to Manhattan and can easily travel to see a Broadway play or visit a New York City Museum in less than an hour. We are only a few hours from the Adirondack Mountains which allows us to vacation near clear, crisp lakes and hike mountains with breathtaking views."

In her spare time, she enjoys reading John Irving novels. "He has an interesting sense of humor," said Gomes, "and his stories are always entertaining and humorous."

Gomes is a graduate of C.W. Post/Long Island University and received two Master of Science degrees in Healthcare Administration and Management & Policy from Stony Brook University.

Gomes' thank you remarks:
It is an honor and privilege to be recognized by the American Society for Clinical Pathology for this award. ASCP has been a constant force in my professional life, beginning with earning an MT certification upon graduating from college, then attending my first ASCP conference as a staff assistant back in 1987, to serving on the Board of Directors and providing educational presentations at regional and national meetings.

ASCP leaders and staff serve as mentors and friends throughout the years—always encouraging, nurturing and supporting professional development. Special thanks to a few of my ASCP mentors: Mary Lou Fusillo, Joanna Lurie, Harriet Rolen-Mark, David Glenn and Kathy Mauck. Without the support of my family and friends at Stony Brook University Hospital, I would not have been able to participate in professional activities in a meaningful way.

Thank you to my friends at ASCP for this special recognition. It is greatly appreciated and means so much to me.

Carol A. Gomes, MS, FACHE, CPHQ, MT(ASCP)HTL,DLM