“My passion is to serve. When members come into the laboratory, they have a lot of personal things going on in their lives and you don't know their story. They trust us to care for them, so I show them respect and gratitude, treat them how I would want to be treated, and make them feel very special. Working with joy and a smile on my face can help to turn a frustrating or worrisome experience around. I listen, I ask questions and I engage in short, but happy, conversations to take their mind off the procedure I’m doing. They’re so focused on what we’re talking about, before they know it, the procedure is over. The most important thing for me is taking advantage of every opportunity, within the scope of my practice, to make a member’s experience personal, peaceful and satisfying: little things such as getting them some water or helping a member with mobility challenges to get in their car. Serving our members in the spirit of excellence is my main goal; that is my passion and my joy.”
Betty Owens-Ceesay, laboratory assistant II, UFCW Local 1996 (Georgia)