Welcome to the “Meet the CSTM Board” blog series! Each month a different position on the board will be spotlighted along with some insider information on the individual in the position. Each blog will follow a different path as each position and individual is unique. We hope you enjoy.
Author: Crystal Brunk, CSTM Director at Large (2022-2024)
Eastern Director was the first role highlighted in the “meet the CSTM board” series – coming full circle this blog will put the spotlight on Melissa Dawe the newest Eastern Director (2023-2025) whose focus is on making connections and bringing transfusion medicine to the Maritimes (and the Maritimes to transfusion medicine).
The Eastern Director Position – Version 2.0
Aside from learning the ropes, Melissa’s focus thus far as Eastern Director has been ensuring that members of the Atlantic provinces are aware of educational events offered by CSTM and acting as the link between that community and the board. As Melissa embarks on the new year, she wants to further her efforts in connecting the Maritimes by encouraging more folks to join CSTM and start actively participating in the various committees and opportunities offered by the organization – so if you are interested reach out as she is always up for a good old chin wag.
Looking back, Melissa started her CSTM journey as a member of the Standards Committee where her many talents were quickly identified by others (such as the previous Eastern Director, Bernadette Muise, who may have gently nudged her to apply for the director role). In addition to joining the board, Melissa has become involved with the Communications Committee where her organization skills have been put to good use as well as the Conference Committee where her passion for connecting others through education has proved a perfect fit.
Transfusion Medicine – Version Maritime
Having only worked in St. John’s NL has not diminished Melissa’s ability to develop as she has continually challenged herself in new roles and jumped at bigger and bigger opportunities. Starting on the bench at the Health Science Center in NL, and like most true blood bankers, Melissa found initial excitement in antibody investigations and eventually in mentoring new staff as a preceptor. The satisfaction that teaching brought her led Melissa to a Degree in Education with hopes of a permanent job at the local college. With a teaching job continuing to elude her, when an opportunity with the Provincial Blood Program came up Melissa saw potential and quickly applied for and got the position. The shift from bench work to policy writing and utilization monitoring was a shock and challenge but Melissa’s organization, attention to detail, and quest for knowledge quickly activated. Melissa was soon running with the role: developing a lab education module, teaching nurses antibody rule outs (I need to sign up for one of these sessions) and even becoming part of the CSA standards group. Melissa now has the platform and the connections needed to ensure change is rooted in evidence and that things are “no longer done the way that they have always been done” when there is nothing concrete supporting them.
Melissa’s biggest advice for all of us: Trust your work! If you did all your procedures carefully and checked your work, there is no need to stress or loose sleep over things, yes even in transfusion medicine.
Two Truths and a Lie – Version 2.0
- She is an introvert
- “Friends in low places” by the Great Garth Brooks is her karaoke go to
- She has never done a group and screen on her own blood sample
While you once again think over what that lie might be we will leave you with Melissa’s motto: “treat everyone the way you would like to be treated” because “you get back what you send out”.