Her Story
About Alyssa
Alyssa Lombardo is a Medical Technologist II in the Automated Laboratory at Strong Memorial Hospital, where she has worked for the past year in both the Hematology and Chemistry departments. She also works as a laboratory generalist at Strong West Emergency Hospital, where she independently performs testing across all areas of the laboratory during her shifts. Alyssa earned her bachelor’s degree in Biology from Clarkson University, with minors in Psychology and Business. She went on to complete a one-year advanced Medical Technology program at the University of Rochester, earning certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and licensure as a Medical Technologist in New York State.
Alyssa has always been passionate about science, human anatomy, health care, and providing hands-on patient care. Those interests ultimately led her to pursue a career as a Medical Technologist after exploring other healthcare paths, including becoming a pathologists' assistant or a nurse. Alyssa has been recognized for her outstanding dedication and commitment to excellence, earning multiple UR Stars awards for consistently going above and beyond in her role. A dependable and collaborative team member, she is always willing to step in to cover staffing shortages and support her colleagues, helping ensure the laboratory continues to provide exceptional patient care.
Outside of work, Alyssa has always had a deep passion for animals and animal welfare. Over the years, she has volunteered with several animal organizations and dedicated her time to raising funds to support their missions. She has also raised money for and personally donated $500 to Villalobos Pitbull Rescue. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Alyssa and her boyfriend organized a neighborhood food and supply drive to support those in need. They collected canned goods, essential supplies, and other necessities from their neighbors’ driveways and delivered the donations to a local food pantry.
Alyssa attributes her success to her strong internal motivation, the unwavering support of her family and friends, and the guidance and encouragement she received from her college professors, program directors and instructors. She advises young women entering the field to pursue their goals with determination, remain true to themselves, advocate for what they believe is right and never allow others to diminish their accomplishments or undermine their achievements.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Alyssa
01What do you attribute your success to?
I believe a large part of success comes from internal motivation. You can encourage someone to do better and provide them with all the tools and support they need to succeed, but ultimately, you cannot force someone to put in the effort. The drive to work hard, persevere, and achieve your goals has to come from within. My family has taught me the importance of independence, self-reliance, and working toward financial independence. They instilled in me the belief that I should be confident in my ability to support myself and build a life of my own. From a young age, I have always been strong-willed, determined, and driven to achieve my goals. My boyfriend, family, friends, and instructors have all played an important role in supporting me and guiding me toward the right path. Their encouragement, guidance, and belief in me have helped me grow both personally and professionally.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My boyfriend’s mom has played a significant role in my success and has been an important source of support throughout my college journey. My first year of college was especially challenging because it took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. I experienced a great deal of isolation and struggled with the uncertainty and challenges of adjusting to college during such an unprecedented time. During this period, she was always there to support and encourage me when I was struggling.
As I continued through college, she remained a constant source of guidance and encouragement. When I felt uncertain about my future and struggled to find the right career path, she took the time to help me research different career options and encouraged me to pursue a path that aligned with my interests and goals. She also helped me develop and refine my letter of intent for the program, providing guidance and support that helped me take the next step toward my career.
Throughout college, she was there for me during the most difficult moments, whether I was struggling with exams, feeling overwhelmed, or dealing with the pressures of school. She always reminded me not to give up, to fight through the difficult times, and to remember that I was never alone. She taught me that it is okay to ask for help, seek advice, and ask others for ideas when you are unsure of your next step. When I could not find the answers or guidance I needed from my college regarding my career path, she helped me realize that sometimes you have to take the initiative and advocate for yourself. You cannot always wait for someone else to show you the right path—you have to take it upon yourself to ask questions, seek out opportunities, and find the answers you are looking for. Her support and encouragement taught me the importance of perseverance, self-advocacy, and never being afraid to ask for help along the way.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering the field is to fight for what you want and always stand up for what you believe is right. Do not allow anyone to underestimate you, diminish your accomplishments, or treat you differently because you are a woman. There may be people who try to bring you down or undermine your success, but you should never let the opinions or actions of others change who you are. Stay true to yourself, believe in your abilities, and continue to work hard for the career and life you want. Your success is something to be proud of, and you should never feel the need to apologize for it.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges and opportunities in my field right now is the lack of outreach and awareness about careers in the laboratory and medical technology. I would like to see laboratories do more to connect with local high school and college students, especially those who are part of the surrounding community. Providing students with opportunities to gain hands-on experience, learn about the work we do, or even shadow laboratory professionals could help them better understand the field and the many career paths available to them. I also believe that having the opportunity to speak directly with professionals working in the field and develop relationships with mentors could be incredibly valuable. Mentors could provide guidance, share their personal experiences, answer questions, and help students better understand the different career paths available to them. I also think it would be beneficial to create resources that show students how they can use their current education and interests to pursue different careers within the laboratory. There are many programs and career opportunities available that students simply do not know exist. Increasing outreach, mentorship, and education could help introduce young people to these opportunities earlier, inspire more students to enter the field, and help address the need for more qualified professionals in laboratory medicine.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that are most important to me, both in my work and personal life, are relationships, balance, and making the most of life. Having family, friends, and loved ones who support you, believe in you, and encourage you to strive for your goals means everything. It is important to have people in your life who you can turn to when you need someone to listen, whether you want to laugh, cry, vent, or simply find comfort and reassurance. I also believe in the importance of creating a healthy balance between work and personal life. Making time to enjoy experiences outside of work, whether that means taking a weekend or day trip, trying something new, or simply spending time with the people you love, can have a positive impact on your mental health and overall well-being. Life should not be solely defined by your career. It is important to step away from work, have fun, be adventurous, and be willing to put yourself out there and experience new things. Most importantly, I believe you should not take life or your health for granted. Do not be afraid to laugh, enjoy the moment, and appreciate the time you have with the people who matter most. Life is meant to be lived, and I believe in making the most of every day while maintaining a healthy balance between your career, relationships, and personal happiness.
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