Much of the important work that supports patient healthcare plans and diagnoses happens behind the scenes, including the efforts of our skilled Medical Laboratory team. This essential department bridges the gap between patient clinical symptoms and the correct diagnosis by providing accurate collections and testing.
Last year Niagara Health’s Medical Laboratory team received certification from Accreditation Canada Diagnostic, a mark of excellence recognized globally. The team consists of 210 dedicated staff members, including Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLTs), Medical Laboratory Assistants (MLAs), Pathologist Assistants, Pathologists and administrative professionals.
Lab staff conduct more than 3.6 million tests a year across a wide range of services, including chemistry, hematology, transfusion medicine, anatomic pathology, cytology, autopsy services, point of care testing (POCT), phlebotomy, and limited microbiology.
“Every team member plays a critical role in the daily operation of the laboratory, quality laboratory services and the overall healthcare process,” says Chetankumar Jariwala, laboratory manager. Meet some of the professionals who support our patients and community through their healthcare journeys.
Rachel Athoe - MLA, Niagara Falls
“What sparked my interest in working as a medical laboratory assistant for Niagara Health is the opportunity to combine hands-on patient care with science,” says Rachel Athoe, MLA at Niagara Falls Hospital. “I’ve always loved helping people, and in this role, I get to interact with patients directly by drawing blood, making them feel comfortable, and being part of the process that helps doctors make accurate diagnoses.”
For Athoe, the most rewarding part of her job is knowing her work plays a vital role in identifying illnesses and guiding care plans. After earning a Bachelor of Forensic Science with a concentration in biology, she spent three years as a pharmacy technician before realizing she wanted a role in a hospital setting— that offered more human connection and a greater direct impact on patients.
Today, she does just that by connecting with patients when they are the most vulnerable, offering a reassuring presence.
“Our objective is always to provide the highest standard of care to the patients,” says Athoe.
Joanne Hicks, Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) working in Niagara Falls lab.
Joanne Hicks – MLT, Niagara Falls
“As a young child, I was always interested in science and biology,” says Joanne Hicks, MLT, Niagara Falls. “I loved reading books about these topics, and was fascinated by how the human body works, adapts and changes during various disease states.”
Hicks’ father, who worked as an electrician at the Niagara Falls hospital introduced her to the Medical Laboratory when she was just 13 years old. He knew about the important work they did and thought that this career would be a perfect fit for his daughter with her interest in science.
“I asked him why he thought it would be a good choice for me, and he replied that it seemed like a very interesting job that involves helping patients, providing information for members of the healthcare teams for diagnosis purposes, and there were also numerous roles and disciplines to work in,” says Hicks.
Breanne Ballanger - MLT, Welland Hospital
“Throughout school I always enjoyed hands on learning, performing experiments and following the scientific method,” says Breanne Ballanger, MLT, Welland Hospital. Ballanger studied Molecular Biology and Genetics with a special interest in research and testing hypotheses. She discovered medical laboratory science through her parents who were both Niagara Health employees—her mother as an Emergency Department nurse and her father as a mechanical engineer. When a family friend in the laboratory field suggested it might be a good fit, Ballanger went back to school to earn an advanced diploma in Medical Laboratory Science.
Shortly after, she started working as an MLT at Niagara Health where she was embraced by a diverse and supportive team of laboratory professionals. Ballanger has a particular interest in transfusion medicine, which to her can sometimes feel like solving a puzzle. “I like that this work directly benefits our patients, especially when it comes to providing compatible blood and plasma products,” she says.
Breanne Ballanger, Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) working in Welland Hospital lab.
Sheila Martel, Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) working in Marotta Family Hospital lab.
Sheila Martel - MLT, Marotta Family Hospital
“My interest in Medical Laboratory Technology started in high school. One day we did finger pricks of ourselves and made blood smear slides, stained them and looked at them under the microscope,” says Sheila Martel, MLT, Marotta Family Hospital. “I knew lab work was what I wanted.”
She credits her high school teacher for sparking this interest because he always made class interesting. Knowing her interest, Martel’s teacher set up a meeting with a professor at Brock University to provide an inside look at research. “After that meeting with him, I knew research wasn't for me,” Martel says. “I wanted a career in a hospital where my work would have direct impact with patients on the other side benefitting from what I do.”
Although, it wasn’t the path that life initially took, Martel then discovered her true interest: histology. Once she graduated school, she started working in Niagara Health’s chemistry department until she landed her dream job in histology 15 years ago.
“I’m proud to be a part of a team that consistently works to improve the patient experience and has been recognized by Cancer Care for exemplary turnaround time. ”
For many of the team members, the work is deeply meaningful. It brings together their passion for science and a shared commitment to patient care, all within a team they’re proud to be a part of. “One of the things I am most proud of is the dedication, and hard work put forth by my peers and co-workers. I am constantly impressed by the collaborative and cooperative work environment, providing quality health care for all our patients,” says Hicks.
Although the medical laboratory processes hundreds of samples a day, quality is not compromised. “Our mindset is to treat all samples as if they were collected from our own family or loved ones,” says Ballanger.
“Their dedication and hard work are often unseen but they are absolutely an indispensable part of the healthcare team,” says Mary Green, laboratory manager. "We are so incredibility proud of the laboratory teams and grateful for their unwavering commitment to excellence.”
