At the time of being named to the 40 Under Forty, I was an aspiring leader looking to the future. I was very hungry for experience and to learn new processes – how the laboratory worked. Those aspirations and hunger have carried through the entirety of my career. Since that time, I’ve moved through from being a shift supervisor to a section (chemistry) supervisor, onward to a laboratory manager of specialty testing and referred laboratory testing and then a core laboratory manager. I currently work as a laboratory director for a three-hospital system. Along the way, I’ve used every opportunity to gain new experiences and understand more about laboratory operations such as billing, regulatory, interdepartmental cooperation, etc. I am fortunate to be able to apply those skills in my current role, working closely with nursing, physicians, hospital executives, and many different departments across the hospitals. I get to participate in numerous committees, representing the laboratory and profession to ensure prompt, safe, and effective delivery of laboratory services. Back in 2015, I wanted a seat at the table as a decision maker and thought leader. In 2025, I look back and feel that I’ve reached that goal and continue to reach higher to advance patient care and chart the pathway of our laboratory services both within this healthcare system and the larger laboratory world. I also recently completed my doctoral degree in healthcare leadership that further accelerates my thirst for experiences.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned in the years since being named a 40 Under Forty?

My biggest lesson learned would be communication and leadership – operating as both a servant leader but also a transformational leader. Coaching, mentoring, and working with individuals to be the best that they can be – showing compassion in tough situations, holding peers accountable, and motivating those around you through collaboration and partnership, not micro-management and tyranny which too often pervades laboratory leadership. I’ve learned from some great laboratory leaders, and some not so great, on how best to relate to colleagues and staff in the delivery of our patient care mission. I want to be an inspirational leader, not through fear, and to make a difference in the lives of those I’m charged with leading. The importance of this and the role it plays in being a successful leader has been a constantly evolving lesson and one we all must commit to continuously learning throughout our leadership career.

For me, this recognition was more of a personal catapult – it was a challenge to myself to make sure that the work I do going forward is worthy of having been named to the list. I feel it put a spotlight on where I wanted my career to go and how I needed to get there more than just as an accolade to frame on the wall. It was a challenge, motivation, and call to action to be able to say I once received this recognition, and I want to show that I was worthy as a leader and as a colleague. I’m not sure the progress I’ve made, or the pathway I’ve taken to get to this point would have happened without this recognition at a critical time in my career. Being a successful leader has to be a conscious choice and requires a tremendous amount of work – time, growth, learning, and experience. This recognition certainly helped shape my outlook and the foundation for my future.