Maple Ridge, B.C. April 17, 2024 –As we bask in the glow of Medical Laboratory Week, we’re thrilled to shine a well-deserved spotlight on the incredible team powering LifeLabs. This week, we’re celebrating our medical laboratory professionals’ remarkable talent and unwavering dedication. Each team member plays a pivotal role in our collective success, from seasoned veterans to bright newcomers. From dispelling myths to envisioning their own superhero abilities, our team members are ready to share their wisdom and inspire the next generation of medical laboratory professionals. Get ready to be amazed by the talent, dedication, and sheer passion of the extraordinary individuals who make LifeLabs shine. Let’s celebrate Medical Laboratory Week by honouring the heroes in front and behind the scenes!
Chelsea Milaney
Meet Chelsea Milaney, a compassionate and skilled lab assistant at Maple Ridge Patient Service Centre, embodying LifeLabs’ customer-centred values with every interaction. Customers rave about Chelsea’s exceptional care and kindness, describing her as “friendly, hilarious, fast, and gentle” with a knack for easing anxieties and brightening days. Chelsea’s journey into the medical laboratory field was driven by a desire to work in healthcare, inspired by a trusted friend’s insight. Over her 10 years with LifeLabs, Chelsea has cultivated unforgettable moments of connection and relief, like the heartwarming experience of successfully drawing blood from a hesitant toddler.
Her dedication to customer care and her ability to forge lifelong friendships with colleagues highlight the rewards of her job. Through her honest insights and uplifting personality, Chelsea opens the door to the heart and humour behind the lab coat as she shares her experiences and advice for aspiring medical laboratory professionals.
What inspired you to pursue a career in medical laboratory science?
I knew I wanted to work in health care, and I had looked into different options/careers. After talking with a good friend of 23 years who is also a phlebotomist, I decided that this career was a good fit for me. I am so happy I took the leap, and here I am 10 years later!
Can you share a memorable experience or accomplishment from LifeLabs?
There is one memory that I will never forget. A mom and her 2-year-old daughter had come back for the 3rd time to try and get the daughter’s blood as she was really tiny for her age, and it made it difficult to locate a vein. I got it on the first try, and I was so happy that her mom and I started crying. It just made me feel good that I could help, and seeing the relief on her face that she wouldn’t have to come back is a face I will never forget.
What do you find most rewarding about your work in the medical laboratory?
I love connecting with people and making them smile or laugh. I also love the lifelong friendships I have made with my coworkers; they make coming to work easier!
Can you share some advice or insight for aspiring medical laboratory professionals?
As I always say, “water off a duck’s back.” I know it can be hard, but don’t let the negative stuff get to you—it’s not worth it!
What’s one misconception about med lab that you’d like to debunk?
That we are vampires. I want to clear things up: we are not vampires.
If you could choose one superpower to help you in your work, what would it be and why?
I would have to pick time travel to fast-forward the hard days!
Medical laboratory professionals like Chelsea have a profound impact on customers’ lives. As we continue to celebrate Medical Laboratory Week, we’re thrilled to express our heartfelt gratitude to all medical laboratory employees who play a vital role in healthcare. Their commitment to excellence and compassion makes a world of difference, and we celebrate them not just this week but every day.
Here’s to a happy Medical Laboratory Week filled with appreciation, recognition, and well-deserved moments of pride. Thank you for all that you do!