Graduate Testimonials
Medical Laboratory Science Program
“Graduating with a bachelor's degree in biology, I thought I had
found my ticket to a lasting career in STEM. After spending five years
working in broad biology roles, though, I realized I felt stuck. I wanted
work that intellectually stimulated me and gave me a greater sense of
purpose. At the same time, some personal health experiences sparked my
curiosity about medical laboratory science. I found myself wondering how
healthcare professionals could take a simple sample and turn it into answers
that guide treatment. Fortunately, someone introduced me to the Monmouth
Medical Center Medical Laboratory Science Program, and the rest is history.
One phrase I heard often during my time in the program is "it’s a very challenging year." That wording matters. It's not an impossible year or an unattainable one. It's challenging—and with that challenge comes growth. It's demanding, stimulating, rewarding, and ultimately, inspiring. Throughout the program, I gained invaluable hands-on experience from outstanding medical laboratory scientists and learned from professors whose knowledge and dedication pushed me to become the best version of myself. More importantly, I discovered just how much I was capable of accomplishing. Today, I am an ASCP Board-Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist, and I was fortunate to begin my career within the RWJBarnabas Health system immediately after completing the program. What I value most, however, isn't just the credential or the job. It's the friendships I built, the colleagues and mentors who supported me, and the deep sense of accomplishment I carry with me. This program didn't just prepare me for a career, it also inspired me to keep growing wherever this profession takes me. So, if you're someone who's looking for more—more challenge, more purpose, and more opportunity—my advice is simple: take the challenge, look it in the face, and say, "Bring it on."”
Jacqueline Provost
I am forever grateful for the opportunity to study in the Medical Laboratory
Program at Monmouth Medical Center. This program definitely exceeded my
expectations in terms of pacing and content; however, this intensity allowed
me to gain much more theoretical knowledge and practical skills than anticipated.
As a kinesthetic learner, I appreciated being able to apply the material
taught in lectures through hands-on testing during clinical rotations
at various hospitals. All of my trainers were knowledgeable, patient,
and supportive, especially when it came to answering questions and helping
me overcome any obstacles that came up. Alongside the students in my program—who
are now my colleagues—I grew both as a person and scientist, discovered
more about myself, accomplished my goals, and set new ones for the future.
This professional year of learning and training was a valuable investment
that provided me with all the resources necessary to earn my ASCP Certification
and begin a career within the RWJBarnabas Health system.
Thank You!
Jenisha Patel
“After graduating with a BS in biology, I wanted to go further academically
without being forced to specialize in any one topic. I had a deep love
for scientific benchwork, as well as a desire to learn more about physiology
and pathology. I'm glad I discovered the perfect fit: the field of medical
laboratory science, and the path to becoming an MLS generalist through
this program at Monmouth Medical Center.
I learned so much during the didactic portion thanks to our professors, who went above and beyond in developing lecture and laboratory activities to help us digest the material, and who were very familiar with tackling the challenges of the ASCP BOC exam. The hands-on experience at multiple facilities in the RWJBH system during clinical rotations allowed me to meet and talk with others in the field, and gave me an appreciation for the day-to-day workflow and scope of practice of the laboratory.
Overall, the educational opportunity Monmouth Medical Center’s MLS program provided was irreplaceable for my professional growth, and empowered me to become the kind of scientist needed in the clinical laboratory - a provider of reliable, consistent, and reproducible results for optimal patient care, as someone with a thorough understanding of immunohematology, clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry and immunology, hematology, and body fluids analysis, and how preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical factors can affect each of those results.”
Christina Sun