3 Questions With Jeannie Guglielmo, MS, MAT, MLS(ASCP)CM

Jeannie Guglielmo, MS, MAT, MLS(ASCP)^CM, chair and clinical associate professor in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences in Stony Brook University’s School of Health Professions, is a devoted educator passionate about teaching, training, and motivating future medical laboratory scientists and laboratory leaders. 

Here, Ms. Guglielmo tells Critical Values about the experiences that led her to find her career in laboratory medicine education and her deep connection to the human side of laboratory medicine and on-going impact on patient care. 

I grew up having a mom who was a physical therapist immersed in patients’ lives, so I knew from an early age I wanted to be part of a team that helped patients. It wasn’t until I started taking classes in high school and college that I really connected with hands-on and active learning in the classroom, the laboratory, and in real-world settings. The laboratory seemed like a natural fit for me where I could apply science to help people. 

When I started as a clinical assistant professor in the clinical laboratory sciences department at Stony Brook University my then Chairperson, Kathleen Finnegan, also a longtime volunteer with ASCP and recipient of the Mastership award, shared with me her dedication to laboratory medicine and her involvement in ASCP. This inspired me to get involved and my first activity included volunteering to assist as an ASCP Career Ambassador. I had the privilege to assist Kerwin Kolheffer during his presentation with students at the annual meeting in 2014. The rest is history. I was hooked from the moment I saw his passion and the passion of the other volunteers in working with the students to promote careers in laboratory medicine. It is beyond rewarding to know that my work as an ASCP member volunteer is helping to create a pipeline for the next generation of laboratory professionals.

For me as an educator and especially an educator of individuals, I know are working in healthcare, it's all about the people so naturally reminding my students that each and every sample they come in contact with comes from a person with a family and people that care about them. I have a picture that shows test tubes with images of people superimposed over them, and I remind students that each, and every one of these samples could be from a family member, from a friend, from their neighbor and that the results that they help to process directly impact patient care and people’s lives. 

As an educator, I know that each and every one of the students that I teach has the ability to then go and help countless numbers of patients. In a way you can consider it almost like a multiplication of your skills and your energy. Over the past 25 years, I have educated hundreds of students that I know for a fact are working in laboratory medicine and making a difference in patients’ lives each and every day. The stories that they come back and share with me are so rewarding and validating. 

What I love most about being a member of ASCP are the opportunities to reach students across the country to share the exciting careers in pathology and laboratory medicine. For many, it is the first time that they have learned of these careers. I am constantly amazed at the positive impact my work through the Ambassador program has had on students. At the same time, I re-energize my passion for the field of laboratory medicine as I see it come alive in their eyes. I look at it as a true pay-it-forward experience. 

I have had the privilege of growing and expanding my volunteer work with ASCP. I initially started as an ASCP Career Ambassador. I was then recruited to serve on the ASCP-BOC MLS Clinical Chemistry Exam Committee. From there, I next served on the Joint Generalist Exam Committee. During Covid, I completed the Laboratory Management University Certificate Program and the leadership institute program. My most current role is on the Program Director Advisory Committee, and I have been newly elected to serve on the ASCP Council of Laboratory Professionals 

Each of these opportunities has allowed me to grow my leadership skills, connect with amazing colleagues from all across the globe, and given me a mechanism to develop my passion. In growing my leadership skills, I have been encouraged to share it with others.