I started my patient-facing career as a hospital phlebotomist, but today I am a Group Lead for Quest Diagnostics in Mt. Holly. I thrive on the fast-paced environment of my current role. I always tell people, "I will never leave logistics. I like to constantly keep moving."
But on February 27, 2023, my perspective on my fast-paced career shifted dramatically when I found myself on the other side of the patient experience. I received a terrifying call from my 5-year-old daughter’s school. Teachers had found her wobbling on the playground, disoriented and unable to walk without falling. When a teacher asked if she was okay, my daughter replied, "The playground is upside down."
I rushed her to the emergency room. Though her symptoms briefly seemed to improve, my maternal instinct told me this was more than the migraine the ER doctors suspected. My husband and I advocated for a CT scan. They took her for the scan, and when she came back, I just knew our lives were about to change forever. The room felt so silent, like the air had been sucked out.
After what felt like an eternity, the medical team reported back: My daughter had a grape-sized tumor pressing on the aqueduct in her brain, causing obstructive hydrocephalus. She was immediately transferred to a children’s hospital for emergency surgery. That ambulance ride was deafening with all the racing thoughts—why my little girl?
As I sat in the hospital waiting for rapid response teams and critical blood work, my professional world collided with my personal crisis. When everything was happening and we were in the hospital, all I could think to myself was: I hope nothing goes wrong with this sensitive test.
When they needed to take blood work, I realized just how many hands and parts working behind the scenes mattered so much. Working at Quest, I know how crucial logistics are—because if the driver hadn’t been diligent in transporting those specimens properly, my daughter’s care could have been affected.
This profound realization brought a new, deeply personal weight to my daily work. When a health crisis happens to you, you don’t want to wait. Not knowing is an emotional rollercoaster, and I understand that now. If we don’t get that specimen for testing, or if there’s a delay, there is a direct impact on important care. Patients, especially little ones like my daughter, rely on all of us working together.
Today, my daughter is nearly 9 years old and thriving. Her rare tumor is closely monitored through a research program, and her latest MRI scans, thankfully, show no change.
With this renewed sense of purpose, I recently attended a special customer service learning and development event for customer-facing employees, hosted by Quest. For those of us in logistics who often work tirelessly behind the scenes, the event was a powerful reminder of our visibility and value. This event truly showed me how much Quest appreciates us. We felt seen and heard, and leadership emphasized how logistics is a vital part of the entire organization.
During the collaborative workshops, I found myself sitting with colleagues from across the country. Through our discussions, I discovered we all had one powerful focus: helping patients. You realize it is everywhere in Quest: people working together.
Are you interested in a career at Quest? Explore our career areas where you will empower better health through our cutting-edge technology, alongside creative and innovative people at http://careers.questdiagnostics.com
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