-Name and hometown: Jennifer Knight, Madison, Mississippi
-How would you describe yourself as a person? Quiet, easy-going & empathetic but not a push-over. If I've learned anything as a parent, a Program Director and a Lab Manager it's this: pick your battles and stand your ground. People will respect your integrity and reliability if you do.
-Job title/specialization? Laboratory Manager is my official title, but I am also the Program Director for our School of Medical Laboratory Science.
-What got you into the field of Clinical Laboratory Sciences? I knew I wanted to be in the medical field, but not quite as close to patients as a nurse or physician. When I discovered this field, I knew it was right for me.
-What has been the highlight of your career thus far? Being chosen as ASCLS-MS Educator of the Year in 2011 was an amazing moment for me. I've
always loved the education side of what I do, and being honored with this award was just - wow!
-What makes you diverse? I've worn a lot of different hats in this field over the last 20 years - bench tech, safety coordinator, quality manager,
staff educator and now program director & laboratory manager. I encourage my students to be a generalist for awhile until they figure out what they
really like to do. Then I tell them - go do it! There are so many opportunities in this field - it's incredible.
-How has ASCLS impacted you? I love the "behind the scenes" aspect of this field, but being a part of ASCLS has shown me how important it is to step
outside my comfort zone and speak up on behalf of my profession. We are a vital part of patient care & our voice needs to be heard.
-What is your favorite part about the job? Absolutely, it's the people - I love my students & my staff. I've been Program Director since 2002, and
getting to know a new group of students every year is so much fun. And since we hire as many graduates as we can, I get to watch a lot of them
grow & mature in their careers. It's very rewarding. I've been Lab Manager since 2011, and I have learned so many things. I walk through the
lab every morning and stop to chat with folks. My staff teach me how to be a better manager everyday.
-Your biggest achievements or proudest moments, both in your career and normal life: I have a proud moment each year when I see a group of students graduate & start their career! And I love it when my staff learn new skills, achieve a certification or just try a process change. I think my
biggest achievement so far has been managing to balance my roles as program director, lab manager, wife & mom. I have a wonderful husband, 13-year-old daughter & 8-year-old son. We are fairly avid cyclists (road bike & mountain bike), and I'd say one of my biggest personal achievements was
biking 50 miles up the Natchez Trace last summer with my husband.
-In your eyes, why should people join ASCLS? This organization works very hard to promote patient safety, to educate the public about laboratory
medicine and to promote our profession, and I think we should all support that. I'm proud to be an ASCLS member.