After nearly three decades in education, Kathi Winker, Medical Laboratory Technician program director, will retire on Dec. 20. Her career has been marked by a passion for science and a commitment to her students.

Kathi began her career at Blackhawk in 1997 as an adjunct phlebotomy instructor. For seven years, she taught students the art of drawing blood and, during the spring semesters, supervising their clinical training in hospitals and clinics. In 2009, she became the new Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program director after serving on the advisory committee for laboratory careers at the Monroe Campus.

As she prepares for retirement, Kathi reflects on her journey, her time at Blackhawk, and what comes next.

What was your journey to your role as MLT program director?

I have been so fortunate to have experienced a variety of work in laboratories and associated work environments in my 40-year career as a laboratory scientist, from hospital and clinic labs to FDA laboratory inspector, Medical Foundation Administrator, Food Scientist, and Quality Manager to Global Laboratory Liaison prior to accepting my teaching position at Blackhawk Technical College.

My Medical Technology degree from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse included a minor in Chemistry with a concentration in Microbiology. This was not by design; it actually scared me to death, but it was part of the medical technology curriculum at the time. I’m so glad I dug into all the science we were exposed to. That education served me well and opened so many opportunities.

After accepting my position at Blackhawk Technical College, I completed my Master’s degree in Adult and Postsecondary Education. One of the great things about being a medical laboratory scientist is that you never stop learning.

Is there something that drew you to this career?

I had an amazing high school Biology teacher. He let me grow slime mold during my free time. I was hooked when I could load a microscope slide and watch the mold move under the microscope light.

I also wrote a paper hypothesizing whether or not viruses caused cancer when I was a sophomore in high school. Learning about the disease and how it occurs in the body has always been my greatest curiosity.

What have you liked most about working at Blackhawk?

Easy question. I love seeing where my students find their passion, their own “slime mold moments.” We have a great laboratory community in Monroe. Even our administrative staff has been asked to provide blood or urine samples on occasion. They assist us with a smile or giggle.

What would you consider the biggest change in your field during your time at Blackhawk?

Wow, so many. Because of my curiosity about viruses at a young age, I am fascinated at how work in virology has made our knowledge and testing available, something you can get off the shelf at the local drug store. You can’t see a virus under a regular microscope, so this still fascinates me.

I’m also amazed at how much new technology and science has permeated down to small hospital laboratories. It is an amazing process just to keep up with all the new technology.

What advice would you give somebody who’s just starting out at Blackhawk?

My biggest advice to students is to learn to be disciplined in setting their schedules. Be organized, but don’t look at my office. Do as I say, not as I do.

Looking back on your career, is there anything you would have done differently?

The only thing I would have done differently in my career is to have stayed aware of the great environments and people I have worked with. I have had amazing opportunities, and I’m not sure I realized how fortunate I was to work in a laboratory.

What are you most proud of being a part of in your time at Blackhawk?

I am most proud of the fact that our laboratory programs meet each student where they are and work to help them get where they want to be. Sometimes, that journey is so different than when they started here. Many students have no idea how capable they are to succeed in a laboratory environment or how fascinating our laboratory world is!

What will you miss most about Blackhawk?

I will miss the Monroe Campus and the staff and students I have had the opportunity to work with. I have such great memories of minor explosions, successful first-time blood draws, and students coming back to visit, many times with laboratory supply donations from their current jobs. I’ll miss visiting the medical laboratories in Monroe, Janesville, Beloit, Rockford and Freeport, now staffed with a great number of our graduates.

What is something Blackhawk offers its students that you feel other colleges do not?

I have to say, “supportive environment and flexible schedule,” right??? Well, I truly feel this is true. At Monroe Campus, we live our mission each and every day. The best part is that our students see this and appreciate it. They work hard to meet the goals our programs establish for their success.

Do you have any plans for retirement?

I plan to take the first six months of retirement and travel with my husband to wherever he has planned for us to go. This includes a goal of catching my first Blue Marlin next summer. I also look forward to spending more time with my sons and daughter-in-law in Milwaukee. Go Brewers and Bucks!