Stephanie Merrell, administrative coordinator and import/export coordinator at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory’s (TVMDL) Amarillo laboratory, was awarded the 2019 Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence for Office and Administrative Staff.
Merrell has been an employee of TVMDL for over 15 years. Starting as a student worker, Merrell progressed through various administrative positions during her tenure. In her current position, Merrell is charged with a variety of responsibilities; all of which are imperative to the overall success of the laboratory.
Primarily, Merrell supervises the Amarillo laboratory’s diagnostic services section. She oversees sample receipt and processing in addition to client services. Since starting in this position, Merrell has restructured several processes to create a more streamlined and efficient workflow that has saved both time and money for TVMDL and their clients.
She trains her staff to be proactive in their approach to problem-solving while also ensuring each client’s needs are promptly met. This section’s success is crucial to the final test result and due to Merrell’s leadership, each process is executed accurately and effectively.
In addition to supervising diagnostic services, Merrell is also the IT point of contact for her laboratory. Although her position is not directly related to technology-support, Merrell has assumed this responsibility with confidence.
One of her most notable accomplishments was her role in the creation and implementation of TVMDL’s new laboratory information management system (LIMS). As the lifeblood of the agency, it is imperative that TVMDL has an effective LIMS. During the design and testing phase of the new system, Merrell provided valuable insight, referenced from her years of experience, that led to the overall system TVMDL implemented. In addition to her role in creating this system, Merrell also facilitated onsite trainings for staff at her laboratory and continues to support users, monitor data entry, and serve as an advocate for the needs of her laboratory.
Furthering her dedication to the success of her laboratory, Merrell is also an invaluable member of several committees that plan and host annual conferences. She provides an unparalleled level of administrative support that contributes to successful laboratory outreach programs.
“Stephanie is truly a unique and wonderful asset,” Gayman Helmam, DVM, PhD, MA, DACVP, TVMDL-Amarillo Director said. “It would be almost impossible to replace her in all she does.”
Please join TVMDL in congratulating Stephanie Merrell in receiving the 2019 Vice Chancellor’s Award in Excellence.
TVMDL Director Dr. Bruce Akey, Stephanie Merrell, and Dr. Patrick Stover, Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences