3 Questions with Sean Chickery, DHSc, MBA, MLS(ASCP)

Sean Chickery’s path into laboratory medicine was not a traditional one. Early in his education, he focused on the humanities and planned to pursue law school. Science, medicine in particular, was not an area he saw himself entering. 

That changed when he enlisted in the Army. The roles available were all within the medical field, and ultimately, he chose to train as a medical laboratory technician because it seemed the most interesting. What began as a practical decision quickly became something much more meaningful. 

During his first assignment as a microbiology technician, Dr. Chickery discovered a fascination with the work, and was drawn to the combination of problem-solving, precision, and the critical role the laboratory plays in patient care. 

He quotes author Edna Bonhomme: “Laboratories invite us to translate mystery into certainty.” In the medical laboratory, Dr. Chickery says, “we help transform clinical suspicion into evidence, providing the clarity that guides patient care. From that point on, I knew this was not just a job, but a career I wanted to build over a lifetime.” 

Here, Dr. Chickery shares more about his experience.

How have mentors or role models impacted your career journey?

Mentorship has played a defining role in my career, shaping both the direction I’ve taken and the opportunities I have pursued. I’ve been fortunate to have several mentors at different stages who helped guide my development.

Early in my career, my first laboratory manager, Michael Miller, had a significant influence on me. He not only encouraged me to continue my education and pursue a career as a medical technologist but also modeled what effective leadership looks like. Treating people with respect, setting high standards, and investing in others' growth were all traits he demonstrated.

As I advanced into more senior roles, mentors such as Jeff Alder, Patricia Reilly, and Nathan Johnson challenged me to think beyond the traditional boundaries of the clinical laboratory. They encouraged me to expand my impact into areas like clinical research and military readiness and ultimately pursue a doctoral degree.

Looking back, each of these mentors helped me see possibilities I might not have recognized on my own. Their guidance broadened my perspective on what a career in laboratory medicine can become.

What is something that has surprised you about working in the lab?

One of the most surprising aspects of working in the laboratory has been the breadth of roles laboratory professionals can play within a healthcare system. There are opportunities far beyond what many people initially associate with the lab.

Through both formal training and hands-on experience, laboratory professionals develop deep expertise in areas like infection control, patient safety, and the biological processes underlying disease. That knowledge positions them as valuable contributors not only in lab diagnostics but also in broader clinical and operational decision-making.

I have seen how this expertise translates into meaningful involvement on committees focused on infection prevention, quality improvement, and patient safety. These are areas central to every healthcare organization. It is a reminder that the laboratory is not just support, but an important voice in shaping patient care and healthcare operations.

Can you share a moment when you felt especially connected to patient care through your work? 

The moment I felt most connected to patient care occurred during a military deployment to the Middle East. I was stationed at a small camp with a limited care facility when we received a casualty who had been severely injured in an attack and required immediate surgery.

During the procedure, I was in the operating room running real-time diagnostics to help ensure the patient remained stable. In that setting, the link between the laboratory and patient care is immediate, and the results directly support clinical decisions in real time.

That experience reinforced for me the importance of the laboratory to patient care. While much of our work happens behind the scenes, the information we provide directly guides treatment, particularly in situations like that one.

Balancing the technical aspects of the work with the understanding that it ultimately affects patients is something I think about more now in research than I did earlier in my career. In a clinical laboratory setting, the connection to an individual patient is immediate. In research, that connection is less visible, but there is a broader impact. The findings have the potential to inform the standards of care for many.

When my team is collecting samples and running tests to inform national standards, it is easy to focus on the data and statistical outputs. To stay grounded, I try to spend time at collection sites when possible and to connect with the individuals who provide those samples.

Our phlebotomists offer an important perspective because they interact directly with participants. In the clinical setting, they are face-to-face with the patients. Hearing their experiences helps reinforce that behind every result is a person, and that awareness is an important part of maintaining that balance.