Her Story
About ANA
I am a clinical lab scientist with more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare field. I earned my bachelor's degree from the University of El Salvador in 1994, after initially starting in medical school for 2 years before transitioning to lab science. I came to the United States with a job offer in Tampa, Florida, and then moved to Baltimore where I worked with John Hopkins Hospital for almost 15 years. After that, I moved to Florida to work with HCA while managing my real estate properties. Three years ago, I relocated to Tennessee to care for my mother and began working at Vanderbilt University, where I currently practice. I work in general lab areas including chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, blood bank, and microbiology. My focus has always been on teamwork and patient care, as I believe lab scientists are the right hand for doctors - our results are what doctors rely on to treat patients. In addition to my lab work, I have a real estate business where I buy, sell, and rent properties. I have two children - one is a lawyer and the other is a molecular engineer. I'm planning to retire in about 5 years to focus more on my real estate business and continue doing missionary trips, which I'm passionate about.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with ANA
01What do you attribute your success to?
I can say that my children, and my husband, my family are what I attribute my success to. Also, getting a better life and getting a better education - I always want to succeed in something, and whatever I do. So far, I thank God, because I feel like I am very successful. I'm planning to retire in a few years, and I'm happy with all my careers.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best advice I've received is about responsibility and persistency - having love for whatever you do. It's important to get along with your coworkers and be a team player. Teamwork is very important in our field because there are times when you are tired and you feel like you can't do it anymore, but working together as a team helps you get through those challenging moments.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
I would tell them to try to find more information about what we do, because we are like the right hand for doctors. Our job is very important because doctors rely on us - they wait for our results to treat patients. So our job is very, very important. Young women should understand the critical role lab scientists play in patient care and the medical field.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge in our field right now is the shortage of professionals in our career. We have a lot of patients looking for healthcare, and we are very short on lab professionals, so it's a very stressful job to do. There are no more students, no more people who go to college to get the lab work - they go for computers or other fields instead. That's why teamwork is very important, because there are times when you are tired and you feel like you can't do it anymore, but the team helps you get through it.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values I hold most important are honesty and being trustworthy with people. I value responsibility and good care of others - just helping somebody who needs you. The most important value for me is the care of the patients, because that's what I work for. I believe in being there for whoever needs help and making sure patients receive the best care possible.
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