91原创

91原创聽College of Health Sciences聽alumna Brandy Neide (Class of 2003) recently received the 2022 Lab Superstar Award from the聽. Neide was among five honorees recognized nationally for outstanding service in the field of laboratory medicine.

鈥淭here are so many wonderful people in our field doing great work, so I was both surprised and humbled to receive this national honor,鈥� Neide said.

Neide, who was a medical laboratory science (MLS) major at 91原创, has worked for for two decades. She first took a position in the hospital鈥檚 virology lab immediately after graduation from 91原创. She currently serves as the director of laboratory operations in the Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine at CHOP. The strategic role allows her to focus on leading the department into the future and supporting hospital growth.

鈥淢y 91原创 education prepared me for my current role in so many ways,鈥� Neide said. 鈥淢y Medical and Molecular Sciences professors were so passionate about the field and really promoted visibility in the field; that still resonates with me today and impacts how I approach my work.鈥�

Esther Biswas-Fiss, chair of the Medical and Molecular Sciences Department (MMSC), is proud of Neide鈥檚 accomplishments in the field of medical laboratory science.

鈥淲e are thrilled to learn that Brandy has won this prestigious award. Brandy鈥檚 accomplishments exemplify that 91原创鈥檚 Medical Laboratory Science programs are achieving the goal of training the next generation of leaders in the field of laboratory medicine. I hope her story will inspire others to follow in her footsteps," Biswas-Fiss said. 鈥淚t is always so rewarding to see the accomplishments of our graduates as they move on in their careers. That MMSC was a part of that is extremely gratifying and a testimony to our excellent team of faculty and staff who educate our students.

Neide likes the behind-the-scenes aspect of the medical laboratory science work but acknowledges how important it is for the MLS to be visible to inspire the next generation of medical laboratory scientists.

But being the unsung heroes of the COVID-19 pandemic was a challenge for Neide and her staff.

鈥淲e did our best to prioritize the needs of our staff amid rapidly changing conditions and tried to find ways to offer more flexibility and support. That鈥檚 really challenging when you are 鈥榣ocation critical,鈥欌�� she said.

To combat burnout, she stressed staying connected to the hospital鈥檚 .

鈥淲e maintained steady focus on why we鈥檙e doing this and to think of the value we were adding,鈥� Neide said. 鈥淲e were contributing to something that was bigger than all of us and bigger than the moment we were in.鈥�

The shortage of medical laboratory scientists across the country came more into focus during the pandemic and persists today.

鈥淲e had to look outside of our normal pipelines and bring in people from different fields like biology and molecular science and train them; these were people who didn鈥檛 really know what medical laboratory science was prior to finding themselves in a diagnostic lab,鈥� she recalled.

Neide said both the industry and higher education institutions need to do more to ease the ongoing workforce shortage.

鈥淭he pandemic has given a lot of attention and recognition to the work of the MLS, and we need to continue to push that forward. We need to sustain the momentum we gained during the pandemic.

鈥淚 think that the healthcare industry and hospitals are recognizing the value of laboratory staff,鈥� Neide said. 鈥淏ut in the future, the MLS profession needs to find creative ways to retain staff like incorporating telework where we can because people are looking for that, and while that鈥檚 not the nature of our work, there are opportunities in digital pathology and other areas. We need to consider work/life balance and professional development to allow for growth in place.鈥�

Easing the shortage, though, starts with raising awareness, and that needs to begin in high school. Neide herself is a prime example 鈥� she entered college as a biology major and quickly transferred to MLS as a freshman at 91原创 when she learned more about the rewarding career path.聽

鈥淲e need to start the pipeline before college. We need to get out into our high schools and talk about medical laboratory science,鈥� she said. 鈥淭here are many kids who are interested in biology and major in biology in college but have no clue that laboratory science exists. I know because I was one of them, and I鈥檓 so glad I was able to find my dream career path,鈥� she said.

Neide and her husband are Double Dels, who met in 91原创鈥檚 MLS program. William Neide currently works as a Laboratory Section Chief at Penn State Hershey.

鈥淚鈥檓 very thankful for 91原创 and have endless gratitude to the Medical and Molecular Sciences Department,鈥� she said.聽