Practice makes perfect for Perkins
Some people have a love for science and others have a passion for life.
Perkins
Erica Perkins, however, is one who has always had a fascination for problem solving and the determination to know how to help her patients.
Perkins grew up on the Mississippi Gulf Coast and attended Mississippi State University where she majored in medical technology. She received her clinical training to become certified as a MT in the medical technology program at North MS Medical Centern in Tupelo, Miss.
“I first developed an interest in pathology in high school when we read The Boy Who Felt No Pain, a collection of stories that told how medical “mysteries” were solved by the work of pathologists who relied on the combination of information from many different medical fields to determine how to help their patients,” Perkins said.
Perkins said she knew she would enjoy working in a field that combined her love of science and problem solving skills. Perkins has worked in all areas of the laboratory since she began as a generalist — a tech who works in all disciplines of the lab. She later worked as a microbiologist for three years then she was promoted in September to lead the Clinical Laboratory at Madison
Hospital.
“I have been proud to be a part of the excellent laboratory at Huntsville Hospital, and look forward to continuing the laboratory’s high standards of quality and customer service in Madison,” said Perkins.
Perkins is married to Brian Perkins, a computer engineer. The Perkins family lives in Madison, and they have three children, aged 10, 7 and 4.
“Our family enjoys music, reading and sports — we spend a lot of time at Dublin and Palmer Park,” Perkins said. “During my transition, I have spent time working at Madison Urgent Care, becoming familiar with the staff and facilities there.
“I am currently working to plan the implementation of new staff, new equipment and processes for Madison Hospital Laboratory,” she added.
Perkins said she will enjoy working in a spacious, and thoughtfully designed lab space at Madison Hospital, which she knows will help her team keep pace with the needs of the new hospital and its patients.
“Once the hospital opens in February, I will be responsible for the daily operations of the lab, including all quality measures and management of the staff,” she said. “We are assembling a team of experienced and well trained MTs and MLTs who will help to make this lab and hospital successful.”
