Title: Senior Clinical Laboratory Specialist
Company: University of California, Los Angeles
Location: Glendale, California, United States
Agnes A. Mina, scientist, MD, senior clinical laboratory specialist at the University of California, Los Angeles, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Scientists for dedication, achievements, and leadership in laboratory management.
Though she was initially encouraged to pursue a career in law, Dr. Mina’s journey was shaped by the adversity faced by her family after her father was paralyzed when she was just four years old. From that point on, she became deeply invested in the process of providing care for the sick and dying. Driven by that passion, Dr. Mina became a medical school instructor at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, a research assistant for clinical trials of antidepressants, and a regulatory compliance specialist. Throughout a professional life spanning more than 45 years, she has contributed as a multisite manager with Adventist Health, a consultant, compliance specialist, and scientist with The Clinical Counselor, and a consultant overseeing health care for the world’s largest juvenile correctional facility.
Most recently, Dr. Mina has taken on the role of senior clinical laboratory specialist for the University of California, Los Angeles. In this position, she produces policies, manuals and procedures to keep the laboratories running smoothly. Dr. Mina also specializes in helping hospitals to prepare for regulatory inspection. She regularly advises clinicians on various aspects of their responsibilities, particularly when it comes to ordering appropriate tests for patients. Dr. Mina firmly believes that performing proper testing can significantly improve health care experiences and outcomes, and she considers her expertise in this area to be one of her greatest accomplishments. She also notes the importance of leadership in her field and strives to provide that necessary guidance.
Before venturing onto her vocational path, Dr. Mina sought a solid academic foundation to build upon, beginning with a Bachelor of Science in medical technology. She then obtained a master’s degree in laboratory management. Subsequently, Dr. Mina earned an MD in her home country of the Philippines. She has furthered her credentials with a commitment to lifelong learning and improvement. Dr. Mina is certified as a clinical laboratory specialist through the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (now a part of the American Society for Clinical Pathology).
Dr. Mina has distinguished herself in a number of capacities. She keeps up with the latest developments in her field as a member of the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute, the College of American Pathologists, and the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Dr. Mina credits her success to her unwavering Christian faith, her devotion to excellence in patient care and safety, and her refusal to compromise on ethical standards. She prioritizes following the latest medical literature and staying aware of all relevant laws and regulations.
In addition to her professional achievements, Dr. Mina is a loving mother to one daughter. In her free time, she enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and volunteering for Sunday service at local hospitals. Moving forward, Dr. Mina remains focused on using her consultant work to facilitate positive changes in the lives of others. She is also planning to write a book exploring the process of becoming a lab director and performing diagnostic tests. Dr. Mina hopes this book can aid clinicians in making better decisions around laboratory testing, which would in turn lead to more patients achieving healthy outcomes.
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