THE DRIVING force behind the development of laboratory work at a Solihull animal hospital is celebrating 23 years’ service.
Marian Drew first stepped through the doors of Linnaeus-owned 608 Vet Practice in 2000 when it only had two pieces of very basic laboratory equipment in a coffee lounge/rest room.
Fast forward more than two decades and thanks largely to the skill and determination of Marian the laboratory now meets all the health and safety standards and quality controls systems as required.
The vets also says it is one of the leading in-house veterinary laboratories in the country.
Marian said: “I am passionate about my role within 608 as I know how important the lab is in supporting vets and how it provides a much better service for our patients and clients.
“Every day is different which makes the work varied and enjoyable with the advantage of knowing the results I generate will have a huge impact on the patient’s treatment and prognosis.”
Marian considers some of her key achievements at 608 to include upgrading the laboratory to being fully functional and being the first laboratory in the UK to have in practice a new haematology auto analyser with state-of-the-art laser technology.
Marian previously helped set up the Regional Cytogenetics Department at Heartlands Hospital, worked in the Bone Marrow Transplant Department at Queen Elizabeth Hospital and did research work at the School of Immunology and Infection at Birmingham University.
Marian added: “I pride myself on the success of the laboratory and its role in helping our incredibly hard-working vets by providing them with accurate results so our patients can have the best care and treatment that can be precisely targeted.
“I look forward to coming to work every day, which is why I haven’t considered retirement.”
