Margaret Casey This is Me

Education

 Web References

1. 1. Care Award

   www.cookehealthnet.com/EOM/car - [Cached]

   Published on: 3/15/2005   Last Visited: 3/15/2005

   Margaret Casey, shown here with husband Robert during a trip to Navy Pier in Chicago, was presented the first CARE Award to be given at the new North Texas Medical Center.
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   Margaret is a certified medical laboratory technologist and serves as assistant director of the NTMC laboratory.
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   Margaret Casey serves as the assistant lab director at North Texas Medical Center, and, in her job as technical supervisor over chemistry, she deals constantly with "little things" - samples, slides and details - lots and lots of details.
   
   Details that make the difference in the diagnosis and treatment of disease.
   
   The laboratory at North Texas Medical Center hums with the quiet efficiency of a well-oiled machine, literally conducting hundreds of medical tests and analyses each day. It is the responsibility of the technicians and technologists who work in the lab to make sure these tests are conducted within the most exacting measures.
   
   Casey, a certified medical laboratory technologist, graduated from Central State University in Edmond, Oklahoma, with a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology. She says she always wanted a profession in science and medical technology sounded "very scientific" to her.
   
   Casey worked in various hospitals in Oklahoma until her first child was born. She stayed home with her children for the next few years. After returning to the lab field, she worked at Campbell Memorial Hospital in Weatherford and then joined the staff at Gainesville Memorial in August 1992.
   
   Her first assignment was lead technologist in Special Chemistry. Part of her duties included routine maintenance and troubleshooting the special chemistry analyzer.
   
   According to Janae Hall, director of laboratory services at NTMC, Casey has become so proficient at troubleshooting that the lab's instrument manufacturer has her perform repairs that are generally limited to company field service engineers.
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   As technical supervisor over chemistry, Casey continues her troubleshooting and repair work but is also challenged to investigate new procedures and set up new tests.
   
   Grace under pressure is what brings Casey kudos from her co-workers: "Margaret is always so even-tempered. The walls may be falling down around her but she keeps her cool," says one nominator. Another co-worker notes "She (Margaret) has been helpful and pleasant when assisting me, even under stress. She's the type of person that you just love to be in her company."
   
   Other comments praise her for her knowledge and courtesy to employees and patients alike. "I have observed her with her co-workers on many occasions and noticed what a helpful person she is."
   
   Margaret thinks of her co-workers as a bit of an "extended family" since both her sons are both away at college. "Helps with the ‘empty nest' thing," says Casey.
   
   Casey also enjoys training and mentoring the new technicians in the lab, gaining special satisfaction as she watches them learn to handle problems and responsibilities. "One of my bosses a long time ago told me that we should always be training our replacement and I do enjoy seeing the development of our younger techs."
   
   "Margaret's experience in all aspects of the clinical lab makes her an invaluable resource to less experienced techs," Hall added. "She enjoys the role of mentor and sharing her knowledge with others."
   
   Casey has two sons, John and David, who live in Abilene and attend school at Hardin Simmons University. David is scheduled to graduate this month with a Bachelor of Arts degree and John is a seminary student. John graduated in December 2002 and married in March 2003. David is set to marry December 18.
   
   Margaret is married to Robert Casey, a nuclear medicine technologist at NTMC.
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   Margaret and Robert also camp and work on their deer lease in Ringgold and land they own in Oklahoma during most of their free time.
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   "Robert has been an enormous blessing to me and we have a great time together," says Margaret.
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   Margaret says neither of her boys has presented her with grandchildren yet. "Everyone just wants to go to school!" she says.
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   Robert, a gifted musician, plays bass for the contemporary services and Margaret applauds loudly.
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   As CARE Award recipient for August, Casey was presented with a day off with pay, a framed certificate and a pizza party for her department. Her portrait was displayed and her name was added to the employee recognition plaque at the front entry of NTMC. She will be eligible for Employee of the Year honors later this month.