Machias – Medical Lab Technician, Brenda Wood, retires from Down East Community Hospital after many years of dedicated service.
President & CEO, Steve Lail, on Brenda’s retirement, “We all have mixed emotions as we say farewell to Brenda Wood. We are sad to see her go but happy she has begun her well-deserved retirement. We will miss her kind, knowledgeable presence at Down East Community Hospital. Brenda was employed here for nearly 49 years and was a valued employee and co-worker form day one.”
Brenda started as a CNA on OB in 1975 after being hired by Joan Miller, RN. Back then she was known as Brenda Tuell. Brenda worked with Drs. MacBride, Robertson, Shaw, Burke, Graham and Gaddis and nurses Gerry Moody, Joanna Strout, Laurie Curtis, Betty Woodward, and many others.
“When I started, the front desk had a manual switchboard, and I remember watching Gayle Sprague plugging the lines in just like Lily Tomlin did on the show Laugh In.”
Brenda began working in the Lab in 1992 as a phlebotomist and in 2002, with the support of DECH, she went back to school to become a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) and began that part of her career in 2004. Brenda recounted, “DECH paid half of my schooling, and I paid the other half. All I had to do was agree to a 2-year commitment and that was no problem because I did not plan on moving. After my 2 years were up, DECH even reimbursed me for the half I paid.”
Brenda did a fabulous job in her role as a MLT and nobody could ask for a more dedicated professional. We wish Brenda Wood a long, happy, healthy retirement.
Photo Cutline: Medical Lab Technician, Brenda Wood, receives an engraved retirement clock from DECH CEO Steve Lail.