Carrie Engard, BS
Carrie Engard, BS, is a dedicated Medical Technologist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist at Jackson Purchase Medical Center, committed to strengthening patient care through precise and reliable diagnostic testing. Since beginning her career in 2016, she has built extensive experience in both medical laboratory operations and clinical research coordination, ensuring clinicians receive accurate data to guide treatment decisions. Her work reflects a deep commitment to precision, resilience, and ethical, patient‑centered care.
Carrie’s academic journey is a testament to determination and grit. Breaking a family cycle of addiction and poverty while managing the lifelong demands of type 1 diabetes, she rebuilt her education from the ground up, earning her GED, two associate degrees with high distinction, and early acceptance into multiple honor societies. She later graduated Summa Cum Laude from The Prestigious George Washington University with a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Research Administration, crossing the stage on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., a moment that symbolized just how far she had risen. She participated in the highly competitive federally funded Health Careers Opportunity Program and served as a student ambassador, further demonstrating her commitment to expanding access, representation, and excellence in healthcare. Her achievements have been recognized by honor societies, including Phi Theta Kappa, The National Society of Leadership and Success, and the Alpha Eta Honor Society.
Professionally, Carrie has previously coordinated multiple clinical trials simultaneously, developed custom systems to track key performance indicators, and leveraged technology to improve patient matching and workflow efficiency. Her work emphasized expanding access for underserved populations and strengthening diversity in clinical research.
Today, Carrie continues to serve with integrity, operational excellence, and compassion. She is driven by a desire to make a measurable impact on patient outcomes and to contribute to the advancement of healthcare. Her story is one of resilience in the face of adversity, of refusing to be defined by circumstance, and of using every challenge as fuel for growth. Carrie’s journey inspires others to break barriers, pursue healing, and create meaningful change, proving that where you begin does not determine how far you can rise.
• Excel Essential Training (Microsoft 365)
• Statistics Foundations 1: The Basics
• The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences - B.S.
• Academic Excellence in Medical Laboratory Technology
• Alpha Eta Honor Society
• Society of Leadership and Success
• Health Careers Opportunity Program
• Phi Theta Kappa
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success first to my daughters, who inspire me to push beyond limitations and model the strength I want them to see in themselves. I also credit my resilience, the discipline I’ve developed in managing type 1 diabetes, the support systems I’ve built, and my commitment to lifelong learning. These forces together shaped the woman and professional I am today.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My mentor told me, ''Your potential is bigger than your fear.'' That advice changed the way I approached my career. It reminded me to stop second‑guessing myself, to trust the skills I’ve worked hard to build, and to step into opportunities even when they felt intimidating. It’s a mindset that continues to guide me through every new challenge.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this industry is to embrace the discomfort that comes with growth. Every meaningful step forward requires you to stretch beyond what feels familiar and trust that you’re capable of more than you think. That willingness to step into the unknown is the same courage that makes breaking generational cycles possible. Healing is real, growth is real, and the work you do on yourself will ripple outward to uplift the people around you. Don’t shy away from challenges that feel bigger than you; they’re often the ones that transform you the most
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Beyond staffing shortages, our field faces several other significant challenges. Increasing test volumes paired with limited resources can create intense pressure to maintain accuracy and turnaround times. Burnout is a real concern, especially when long hours and high‑stakes results demand constant focus and emotional resilience. Laboratory professionals also work behind the scenes, which means our contributions are often underrecognized despite being essential to patient care. In addition to that, strict regulatory and compliance requirements require meticulous documentation and constant audit readiness. And when supply chain issues arise, from reagent shortages to back‑ordered consumables, we have to adapt quickly to keep operations running smoothly. These challenges are real, but they also highlight the strength, skill, and dedication of the people who choose this profession.
The laboratory field offers incredible opportunities for both personal and professional growth. On the human side, you have the privilege of contributing to patient care in a way that is deeply meaningful; every result you release has the power to guide treatment, ease uncertainty, and change the course of someone’s life. That sense of purpose fuels compassion and connection, even from behind the scenes. Professionally, the opportunities are just as rich. You can specialize in areas like microbiology, hematology, or molecular diagnostics; advance into leadership roles; support quality and regulatory initiatives; or contribute to research and innovation that shapes the future of medicine. As technology evolves, so does your ability to expand your skills, take on new responsibilities, and build a career that is both impactful and fulfilling.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values that guide me in both my work and my personal life are resilience, self‑discipline, and integrity. Perseverance, especially in the face of adversity, has shaped who I am; no matter the circumstances, I’ve learned to keep moving forward with purpose and determination. Compassion influences how I treat others, reminding me that everyone carries unseen challenges. Growth and accountability push me to rise to my potential, to learn from every experience, and to take responsibility for the impact of my actions. These values ground me, strengthen me, and inspire me to turn every obstacle into an opportunity to uplift others and create meaningful change.