When I think of phlebotomists, my mind instantly goes back the what seems like the late 1800s when I first made the jump into health care. Oh, the stories we tell of “the old days.” I have worked with phlebotomists working in their field for more than 50 years and always enjoyed hearing stories about their experiences: the days without computers, old methodologies, outdated lab equipment, and manual testing. Listening to these stories always makes me think about just how far we have come. It gives me a genuine appreciation for modern technology and causes me to reflect on how physician depends on the work you do.
I am sure that, as a phlebotomist, you faced many challenges throughout 2020. Still, you persevered in each situation while maintaining and improving your high-quality service to our patients. COVID-19 pushed you to the limits as you learned to do more with less, work hard while adapting to new circumstances, provide results with challenging procedure standards, and save lives while risking your own. No option allowed you to work from home. It is good to be essential, but COVID-19 brought new meaning to that word. Thank you for your truly heroic actions. You were there before COVID-19 and excelled during the pandemic—and I’m so grateful that you will be there tomorrow to continue serving our patients.
Thank you for your unfailing commitment day after day and draw after draw. The health care profession is challenging, and there’s more to it than most people could ever imagine. I want to say thank you for all your hard work; it means a lot to our physicians, team members, our patients, and their families. Thank you for the sacrifices that you make. Thank you for doing the work that is now more important than ever.
Thank your for choosing to work at Kettering Medical Center.
Warmly,