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In This Issue:
Chemistry Lab
When the clock strikes midnight, Jeanette Merren walks into the Chemistry Lab and gets down to business. During a typical shift, she analyzes more than 60 blood samples in the lab’s STAT area to determine everything from patients’ blood oxygen level to their pregnancy status. These findings require urgent attention, and Merren is efficient in running the tests and sending results to physicians for diagnosis—but not before triple-checking them for accuracy.
“Jeanette is a very hard worker and is always willing to help others,” said Arthur Cassidy, supervisor of the Chemistry Lab evening shift. “She has worked in the field for a long time and has a lot of valuable knowledge to share.”
Merren spends three nights a week in the Chemistry Lab, analyzing blood specimens and strengthening friendships.
“I really enjoy the camaraderie of those I work with,” she said. “At night, not as many people are around, and we consider ourselves a little family.” She also works a double-shift from 4 p.m. to 8 a.m. every Friday. In her 32 years at the hospital, Merren has become an integral part of the BWH family. So has her family—two of her six children, her mother, two sisters, and her niece and nephew also work at BWH.
When she’s not in the lab, Merren devotes her time to elementary school students at the Greenwood Shalom After School Program, which she developed in 1999. This is an outreach for her church, Greenwood Memorial UMC, to help children achieve academic success and develop extra-curricular interests. Every afternoon in Dorchester, six tutors and several volunteers help students ages 5 to 14 complete their schoolwork and participate in arts and crafts and music activities. Merren also helps seek financial support for the program
“This is all about making a difference in my community and supporting children and families by providing a safe and nurturing environment,” Merren said.
Merren also is furthering her own education and will graduate from Cambridge College in May with a master’s in management.