Karen Barron, (MT) ASCP Announced as New Pathology Education Internship Coordinator

By Christine Rigney | January 10 2022

TKaren Barronhe Department of Pathology is proud to welcome Karen Barron (MT) ASCP, who has been selected as the new Education Internship Coordinator. Her initial focus will be to learn and help shepherd interns through existing internship programs, such as the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) and Pathology Assistant (PA) programs. Future goals include the creation of a certified phlebotomy and histotechnology school, both of which do not exist currently.

According to Anatomic Pathology Operations Director Christine Rigney, "Karen possesses broad experience that will be highly beneficial to the objectives of this role. She has been the Point of Care (POC) section manager at Michigan Medicine since 2018."

Rigney goes on to explain that in her previous role, Barron has integrated off-site and on-site POC into a structured program, taking the area to the next level with regard to standardized work, cross-training, and overall compliance for the institution. "She orchestrated the education of thousands of clinical staff performing POC testing," Rigney describes. "Karen has also overseen an expansion of testing across the enterprise, with POC playing an integral role in the COVID-19 response."

Prior to coming to Michigan Medicine, Karen held roles as a compliance officer, quality projects and LEAN champion, and bench technologist at ProMedica Health System. "Karen is enthusiastic to begin this highly impactful work to help grow our workforce and ensure qualified laboratory professionals are trained to serve our patients. We are in the process of creating her transition plan that will be within the month of February," Rigney notes.

Please join us in congratulating Karen on being chosen for this new role!