The Mississippi State Department of Health joins clinical and public health laboratories nationwide in celebrating Medical Laboratory Professionals Week from April 14th to 20th.
Our Professionals
Our laboratory is not just a facility. Our trained and dedicated professionals and support staff are the driving force that makes it successful. We'd like you to meet some of them below.
Laboratory Director Dr. Daphne Ware
On day two of Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, the Mississippi State Department of Health is highlighting the work of our lab director, Dr. Daphne Ware.
Dr. Ware has worked in the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory for 19 years and has served as its Director since 2009. She oversees the work of 65 lab professionals that safeguard the health and quality of life for all Mississippians. Dr. Ware holds a Ph.D. in Microbiology from the University of Mississippi.
Kiera Bridges
"I think people would be amazed by the amount of work we actually do at the Mississippi Public Health Lab. The passion and dedication of each analyst in finding different solutions for a problem is remarkable."
For day three of Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, we're highlighting Kiera Bridges, director of our Environmental Microbiology Section.
How long have you worked in the MPHL?
I have been employed by the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory for 3 years. I was recently promoted to Team Lead/Supervisor for Environmental Microbiology.
What are your job responsibilities?
Environmental Microbiology is split into two labs: the water lab and the milk lab. The Environmental Microbiology Water Lab performs bacteriological analyses on water samples submitted by public water systems throughout the state of Mississippi. Samples are examined for the presence of the coliform group of bacteria, which are indicators of fecal contamination. We also perform bacteria testing on bottled waters, surface waters, well waters and dairy waters. We receive over 500 water samples daily.
In the Environmental Microbiology Milk Lab, we test dairy products, which include whole milks, flavored milks, yogurts, buttermilks, heavy whipping creams, raw milk samples, etc. We perform numerous tests on dairy samples to make sure customers are receiving high-quality products. For example, we test for standard bacteria plate count, antibiotic/inhibitor testing, somatic cell count, and butterfat percentage in each sample for regulatory compliance. We are also responsible for coliform bacteria testing for jugs, containers and bags. Analysts inspect all samples thoroughly and report all data to the environmentalist.
When did you know you wanted to become a scientist?
My high school science teacher was my inspiration for choosing a career in science.
What do you love about your job?
I always wanted to give back to the community, and what better way to do that than by giving the public results that can lead to a healthier community? What I love most about this job is being able to give answers to the unknown and being the primary solution to Mississippians for the quality consumption of water and dairy products.
What degrees did you earn to prepare for a career as a laboratory scientist?
I’m a proud two-time graduate of Alcorn State University, where I received my bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry and my master’s degree in Biotechnology.
What would people be surprised to know about the MPHL?
I think people would be amazed about the amount of work we actually do at the Mississippi Public Health Lab. The passion and dedication of each analyst in finding different solutions for a problem is remarkable. Every day is a new experiment and a new challenge for us. We grow, learn together, and lean on each other in the lab for the overall ultimate goal, which is contributing to creating a change in society. We as analysts use our expertise to provide great results to the community. The work we do is phenomenal for the improvement of Mississippians’ health. It’s so rewarding to serve the community by working with the MPHL to help save lives and make a difference.
Geoffrey Hunt
"I like being able to contribute to the welfare of others, and I really feel we are able to do that in this job."
For day four of Medical Laboratory Professionals Week, the Mississippi State Department of Health is proud to highlight Geoffrey Hunt, an Immunology Section Scientist.
How long have you worked in the MPHL?
I have worked for the lab for almost three years.
What are your responsibilities?
I work in the Immunology and STD labs. We are responsible for testing and resulting the STD, West Nile, and La Crosse encephalitis samples that come in. We also communicate with clinic nurses if there are any questions or concerns.
When did you know you wanted to become a scientist?
I realized I wanted to do something in the scientific field my junior year of high school when I took chemistry. Over time, I narrowed that down to healthcare because it was both a field that interested me and a place where I felt I could be helpful to other people.
What do you love about your job?
I like being able to contribute to the welfare of others, and I really feel like we are able to do that in this job.
What degrees did you earn in preparation for your career as a laboratory scientist?
I graduated from Mississippi College with a major in Chemistr/ Medical Sciences and a minor in Biology.
What did you do before coming to MSDH?
I worked as a high school math and science teacher for a few years before coming to MSDH.
Why did you want to work for MSDH?
I wanted to pursue a career in a lab setting, and this job opportunity appealed to me because it was a chance to work in the field I was interested in while also contributing to the welfare of Mississippians.
What do you think people would be surprised to know about working in the MPHL?
I think it would surprise people to know how much people seem to genuinely love their jobs and care about contributing to the health of others.
Mattie Stubbs
"I love working with the people calling the lab and the customers dropping off specimens and samples. I believe we represent the state by taking care of the people here."
For day five of Medical Laboratory Professionals Day, we’re highlighting Mattie Stubbs, Logistics Assistant at the Mississippi Public Health Laboratory.
How long have you worked for the MPHL?
I will have been here 35 years in October.
What are your responsibilities?
I work at the reception desk, and in the shipping and receiving area when needed. I answer phone calls and greet visitors.
What did you do at MSDH before coming to work in the lab?
I started in the reporting office before transferring to the reception desk in 1995.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I love working with the people calling the lab and the customers dropping off specimens and samples. I believe we represent the state by taking care of the people here. I originally wanted to be a nurse to take care of people. Working in the lab was the next best thing.
What would people be surprised to know about the Public Health Lab?
All the different things we do here. They don’t have any idea what we do here until they come in and we show them, like the water testing for one. We do all the county health departments’ lab work.
About the Lab
The Mississippi Public Health Laboratory (MPHL), a cornerstone within the state and national public health laboratory frameworks since 1910, plays a pivotal role in disease prevention, outbreak control, and health monitoring, enriching the quality of life for all Mississippians. We'll spotlight our laboratory staff throughout the week to introduce you to the people who make the state Public Health Laboratory work for your health.
Each year, the lab processes more than 400,000 samples from people, water, food and the environment for disease detection, risk monitoring, and outbreak response.
In Your Daily Life
Water
Milk
Food
Working from the state-of-the-art Ed Thompson Public Health Laboratory in Jackson, the lab's 65 staff are at work every day monitoring and testing the state's food, public water supplies, and milk. Even bottled water is regularly tested to make sure it meets national standards.
In Emergencies
Infectious agents
Blood samples
Toxins
When there's a disease outbreak, our specialists go to work, analyzing the cause. This can mean around-the-clock testing for known viruses or bacteria, or determining an unknown contaminant that may be present. Precise DNA analysis of infectious agents can help our disease investigators pinpoint a single point of origin for an outbreak, and quickly notify those who are specifically at risk.
