-Name and hometown:
My name is Nathan Diogo, and my hometown is Westport, MA
-How would you describe yourself as a person?
I am friendly, driven, and an overall hard worker.
-Job title/specialization?
I am a Medical Technologist and my specialization is Hematology and Special
Coagulation
-What got you into the field of Clinical Laboratory Sciences?
It was all by chance. I was looking for something to major in for my bachelor's
degree to get me to medical school. I had seen a million biology programs and
they were all pretty standard. When I visited UMass Dartmouth I was really
intrigued with the CLS major. It also seemed like the perfect major to prepare
me for medical school.
-What has been the highlight of your career thus far?
I recently helped bring up a whole blood platelet aggregometry test in
the lab. Being a new graduate, I had never done that before. It was a big
learning experience. I really got to see how much it takes to bring in a new
test to a lab.
-What makes you diverse?
I think being deaf makes me diverse. There aren't many deaf people in
healthcare, and even fewer in medical laboratory science. Being a user of ASL
has helped me able to visualize 3D space since spacial recognition is a huge
part of ASL. So I think I bring a different perspective when I look at things
under the microscope because of It.
-How has ASCLS impacted you?
It made me realize how needed we are as a profession. Without us modern
medicine really can't perform as it does today.
-What is your favorite part about the job?
When there is a difficult case and we are able to help the
physician's figure out what is going on with the patient. I learn more about
the clinical aspect of medicine and the physicians learn more about laboratory
medicine.
-Your biggest achievements or proudest moments, both in your career and normal
life:
Being a relatively recent graduate, my proudest moment would have to be
graduating college.
-In your eyes, why should people join ASCLS?
ASCLS is the voice of everyone behind the doors that say "authorized
personnel only." The more people that join ASCLS the louder, and more
significant that voice will be to the outside world. It's the key to getting
the tools we need to progress the profession forward
thanks,
Nate Diogo, MLS(ASCP)CM
Medical Technologist
The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia