Aubrey Waggoner, necropsy technician at the Canyon laboratory, is a 2021 recipient of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (TVMDL) Director’s Excellence Award in the technical category.
Waggoner joined the Canyon laboratory three years ago. Since joining, she has become an integral part of the lab, extending her commitment beyond that of her section.
“In working at TVMDL for the last 17-plus years, I have experienced quite a few employees pass through our doors,” Stephanie Merrell, assistant program director and nominator, said. “I have quickly come to realize that there are just a few that seem to really understand and embrace the mission and goals of TVMDL. Aubrey is shining example of one of those people.”
Waggoner was initially hired as an entry-level technician in the necropsy section. After becoming proficient in her section duties, she began assisting across other areas in the lab. Now, she is one of the Canyon lab’s most cross-trained employees.
In addition to her duties in necropsy, Waggoner is also crossed trained to prepare and process clinical pathology samples. She is also the only technician in Canyon trained to process parasitology samples. Adding to her skills, Waggoner is also crossed trained in her lab’s receiving section and routinely steps in to assist when the section is short-staffed or unusually busy.
Aside from her routine responsibilities, Waggoner was instrumental during the Canyon lab’s recent move from Amarillo. As one of two members of the lab’s moving committee, Waggoner was charged with planning and preparing the lab’s equipment to be moved to the new facility, without disrupting testing services. Waggoner not only helped accomplish this goal, but she took the initiative to train herself on every piece of equipment in the necropsy suite as well as train others. These efforts proved to ensure the lab was fully operational once moved into the new facility.
Waggoner has cemented herself as a valuable part of the Canyon lab. Numerous leaders across the agency regularly consult with her on necropsy processes, specific cases, and her expertise across the multiple areas in which she is trained. Her dedication to TVMDL is evident through her everyday service.
“When something needs to be done, Aubrey clearly isn’t afraid to be the one to do it,” Merrell said. “She is a tremendous asset to this agency and I think she is the embodiment of what the Director’s Excellence Award stands for.”
Please join TVMDL in congratulating this year’s Director’s Excellence Award recipients.