Hard work and putting others before herself has earned Rita Liechty the Community Health Center of Branch County December Employee of the Month award.

Rita was hired March 12, 1981 on second shift as a Generalist Technologist.  She has worked in the blood bank and microbiology in the laboratory at CHC.  Currently Rita is a Medical Technologist in Pathology where she processes cytology, surgery specimens, performs special stains, helps to perform daily maintenance on the tissue processor and auto stainer, and orders supplies as needed.  According to her nominator, “Rita is one of the hardest working people that I know.  She is completely dedicated to providing high quality care to our patients.  At times Rita has put CHC and the department above her own wellbeing.  I think she deserves to be recognized for her dedication to CHC, her work and our patients.”

Rita graduated from Wakarusa High School in Wakarusa, Indiana.  She attendedGoshenCollegewith a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology.  Rita completed a 12 month Medical Technology internship at Penrose Hospital School of Medical Technology, Colorado Springs, CO.  She has been a registered Medical Technologist with the American Society of Clinical Pathologists since November 20, 1970. 

Rita has a son, Peter who is a neurosurgeon in Thibodaux, Louisiana, and a daughter, Anna who is a math teacher in Bristol, Rhode Island.  Rita enjoys attending theater and concert events at Tibbits and sewing when she finds the time.  She is a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Coldwater where she plays in the English Hand Bell Choir and sings in the choir.  Rita has been the church treasurer for the past four years.

The Laboratory provides a wide range of services which includes routine and STAT testing in the following areas:

Hematology, Coagulation, Urinalysis, Chemistry, Special Chemistry, Blood and               Histology, Cytology, Serology, Virology  

All sections of the department provide routine and STAT testing for both inpatient and outpatient populations.  The majority of the testing is processed as it is received and there is very little “batch” testing.  For those tests not done on site, CHC utilizes MLabs at theUniversityofMichiganfor the majority of reference laboratory services.  CHC’s Laboratory provides blood and blood products for transfusion.  These blood products are received from the American Red Cross inLansing,Michigan.  The Laboratory also provides oversight for point-of-care testing done by the nursing as well as testing done in any of CHC’s clinics.  The Laboratory provides community health screenings at both Community Fest and the Older American Health Fair.  On average the Laboratory department does approximately 24,000 billable tests per month.  There is an average of 100 outpatients per day.  In addition, the lab draws patients at The Laurels of Coldwater, Maple Lawn, Drew’s Place, and Masonville on a weekly basis.

The Community Health Center of Branch County is a non-profit acute care hospital providing access to safe, comprehensive, high quality healthcare services and accredited by The Joint Commission. For more information about CHC, please call the CHC Marketing Department at 517-279-5282 or visit the CHC website at www.chcbc.com or health website at myhealth.chcbc.com.