The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Burmaster to lead laboratory services
ROME, N.Y. » Medical technologist Jessica Burmaster, MPH, BSMLS, has been appointed director of the laboratory services department at Rome Memorial Hospital.
“Jessica’s 17 years of medical laboratory experience include work as a skilled technologist as well as supervisory responsibilities,” said Andrew Bushnell, MD, MBA, FACEP, vice president/chief medical officer. “We are pleased to have someone with Jessica’s knowledge and background leading the teamof clinical laboratory professionals working at Rome Memorial Hospital.”
The hospital’s clinical laboratory is where testing of patient specimens is completed. After a patient has their specimen collected by a medical professional, it goes to the clinical laboratory where a medical technologist then runs tests on those patient samples in order to aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and/or prevention of diseases.
As Rome Memorial Hospital’s laboratory services department director, Bur- master coordinates the efforts of the various departments within the laboratory to meet the needs of patients, physicians and the rest of the hospital. Responsible for the day to day operations of the laboratory, she will oversee 43 technical and non-technical staff, assuring that there is adequate staffing for the lab and assisting with instrument functionality to ensure the safety and reliability of lab results.
“I always knew that I wanted to be in healthcare in some way but I also enjoyed working in biological sciences,” Burmaster explained why she decided to go into clinical laboratory work. “The laboratory provided me the opportunity to help people and it meshed with my science background.”
Burmaster graduated from Utica College in 2000 with a bachelor of science degree in biology. She received her certificate in Clinical Laboratory Science in 2006 from George Washington University, Washington, D.C. She completed her master of pub- lic health degree through Argosy University, Sarasota, Fla. in 2015 and was named to the Sigma Beta Delta honor society.
After working for Laboratory Corporation of America (LabCorp) for 15 years, Burmaster was most recently employed as assistant laboratory supervisor at Slocum Dickson Medical Group, New Hartford. Because the clinical laboratory at Rome Memorial Hospital is staffed by LabCorp, Burmaster’s new position means a return to her former employer.
“When this opportunity presented itself for me to come back to this company, I applied and I am very happy to be back with LabCorp,” Burmaster said. “What I like most about my new job is how friendly everyone has been, both in the laboratory and the hospital. The atmosphere in this facility is so welcoming.”