Greetings From Your New Director

At the end of September 2021, I found myself in a moving truck filled with all the inventory and equipment owned by the Center for Phlebotomy Education - the company of which I was about to be the new owner and Director. It was a two-day trip from Michigan back to my home state and then onto my new position. This journey was the result of months of planning and preparation. The truck was carrying me toward the start of my dream career, something that I still have a hard time believing came true. Each mile closer to home increased my feeling of hope and excitement for the future.

I had spent the previous week with Dennis and Catherine Ernst. They invited me into their beautiful lakeside home, making me feel incredibly welcome during my stay. It was my second trip to Michigan to meet with the Ernsts. The first trip was an experimental visit for Dennis and Catherine to get to know me, and of course, for me to get to know them. We had communicated online and by phone periodically but had yet to meet in person. 

Fortunately, it was a very successful trip. Somehow I had won the Ernsts over. They liked me (phew), which meant a lot as I had admired them and the company from afar for many years. It was quite an experience to get to see it all up close. It's often said you should never meet your heroes, but in my case, I am so glad I did, as the Ernsts exceeded my expectations. I was amazed to be working with two people who had helped influence and shape the modern world of phlebotomy that we know and recognize today.

Up to this point, I had spent the last thirteen years working in healthcare in many different job titles and roles, but working as a phlebotomist was always my favorite thing to do. There is just something about the process that is so incredibly satisfying. I often say that phlebotomy is a type of artform. It takes years of practice and refinement to hone your skill into expertise. There are so many different factors that go into each and every draw. People don't realize the dozens of careful decisions that occur in the mind of the phlebotomist drawing their blood, decisions that can mean the difference between life and death.

After working in the field for some time, I had the opportunity to become a phlebotomy instructor at a technical college. I was unsure if I would be able to do the job. I knew I was a skilled phlebotomist, but trying to teach those things to others was an entirely different challenge. To my surprise, it quickly became one of the most fulfilling things of my life. Taking a group of students who knew nearly nothing about phlebotomy and turning them into knowledgeable and competent phlebotomists in a matter of a few weeks was a unique experience that I never grew tired of watching. Seeing them go from fearful and timid when dealing with needles, to being able to confidently perform the procedure and troubleshoot problems on their own, filled me with joy and pride EVERY. SINGLE. TIME. That feeling is something I am sure that all good instructors can identify with.

I loved teaching, and I did it for over ten years. Eventually, I became the program coordinator over phlebotomy, expanding and building the program at every opportunity. I based the program on the contents available from the Center for Phlebotomy Education and the CLSI standards. I became very familiar with the company and how it functioned. I could find no better source for phlebotomy information and training.

Oddly enough, though I was aware of the company, I had never contacted them. It was actually a student who set up my first conversation with Dennis. He emailed him and told him that I was his biggest fan and that I talked about the company a lot in class. Dennis reached out to me and told me what my student had said. We began communicating, which was very exciting. He spent time going over my program and congratulated me for what I had done. It was a huge moment for me. We chatted a few more times over the years, and I bragged to people that Dennis was a friend who had given my program a thumbs-up.

The first trip was a success, and we all began to plan for the big things that needed to happen. By the time September rolled around I was getting ready to go back to Michigan a second time. This time around it was to sign legal papers stating that my ownership of The Center for Phlebotomy Education would take place October 1st and transfer all the inventory and equipment to its new headquarters in Utah. It was quite a week, my spouse traveled with me this time, and along with working on moving preparations, we were able to visit some great tourist locations and have a wonderful time with the Ernsts.

One warm fall evening, sitting on the deck and looking out at the beautiful water, Dennis asked me how I was able to be so confident about the transition to my new role. I was surprised at his question. First, I was very glad that I was apparently coming across as calm and confident (thank goodness). Second, I knew that while I was not the most experienced phlebotomist with only thirteen years behind me (compared to some with 20 or 30 plus years), I was still very passionate about it. I had the "fire in my belly," as Dennis often describes it. And third, I was an excellent teacher. I knew that my skills and experience, combined with the Ernsts supporting and mentoring me, would provide the best possible chance to continue their mission and legacy.

When I found out that I was an actual candidate to take over the company, I couldn't believe it. To even be considered for the role of Director was incredibly humbling and a huge honor. Throughout the process, I expected at any moment to find out that someone else had been chosen instead of me - yet, here I am, writing from my new office space with a company sign reading "Center for Phlebotomy Education" on the door. I am incredibly thrilled with my new position, and I have many plans for new and exciting projects in the future; however, I am most grateful to be in a place to better serve phlebotomists and instructors in any way I can. 2022 is going to be an amazing year, and I look forward to serving you as the Director of the Center for Phlebotomy Education.