Grace M. Smith

Grace Smith led the medical technology program (now clinical laboratory science) from 1975 to 1996. The Grace Smith Clinical Laboratory Science Scholarship was established in 2002 by her microbiology colleagues. Below is an article from the 1996 Alumnus magazine:

SMITH IS BACKBONE OF MED TECH PROGRAM

While UW System administra­tors target programs for reduc­tion, they have identified the UW-L medical technology pro­gram as a distinguished area of strength and have made plans for growth. And the reason for the program’s success - Grace Smith.“Other allied health programs may be viewed as collective efforts,” says Robert Burns,
colleague, and professor of microbi­ology. “But, Smith is singularly responsible for the operation of our medical technology program,” Burns says her efforts have con­ tributed substantially to the university’s growing reputation in science and allied health. In recognition of Smith’s leadership, academic staff colleagues selected Smith as a recipient of the 1995 Academic Staff Excellence Award. The award is given annually to an academic staff member who has excelled in performance and service. The La Crosse native received a master of sci­ence in biology from UW-L and was immediately hired in the biology department in 1971. Her prior medical technology degree and clinical experience enabled her to assume a major role instructing the rapidly growing and under-staff microbiology labs. Described as a “fair but demanding instructor” by col­ leagues, Smith has earned the respect and gratitude of hun­dreds of students, many of whom maintain contact with her long after graduation. “It’s always a delight to see how their lives have devel­oped,” Smith says. “Not just their careers but their personal lives as well.” It was clear just how much students valued her instruction when her posi­tion was elimi­nated in the mid- 70’s. Students organized and conducted a for­ mal protest to retain Smith on the teaching staff. With the support of students and faculty, Smith was re-appointed in 1976 as an instructor in the biology depart­ment and director of medical technology. She has maintained both roles since.

Under her leadership, the med­ical technology program has been recognized as a model for innova­tive change and leadership in curriculum development. Medical technologists are top­ level members of the clinical laboratory. They perform a wide range of lab tests and procedure on body fluids and ti sues to determine disease, monitor response to treatment, and aid in health maintenance. Consistent superior student performances on competitive exams prove the program’s effectiveness. Since the first pre-clini­ cal competency exam in 1981, UW-L students have ranked first in the state every year in the two specialty areas-hematology and blood-banking- that Smith is solely responsible for teaching. “I have built a medical technology program which is recognized for turning out exceptional stu­dents,” says Smith. “This is a credit to all teachers at UW-L, but most particularly to the faculty in the science departments.” Statewide, Smith’s medical technology peers respect her teaching style, too. Last summer she was selected to teach blood­ bank through the new UW System distance education program. Smith is pleased with the deci­sion to double UW-L’ program and looks forward to continuing working relationships with the La Crosse medical community. There are approximately 85 students in the medical technology program, and despite the increase in size, Smith believes the program will not lose its personal touch.’Tll continue teaching medical technology students to be not only technically competent but possess a high degree of integrity, a code of ethics and compassion for people," says Smith.