SHELTON, WA – When patients want a positive and professional experience getting their blood drawn, many go out of their way to see Laboratory Assistant Lisa Barlow at Mason General Hospital & Family of Clinics’ Professional Way Lab Draw Station. Barlow’s calm and pleasant demeanor has earned her warm praise from both patients and coworkers, and for that reason, she has been named the MGH&FC September Employee of the Month.

Barlow has worked in phlebotomy for more than 20 years and joined the MGH&FC team in December 2014 as a lab assistant. She draws blood from patients and processes the lab work, often working alone at the draw station. Patients have been known to call to make sure she is there when they come in, and others have asked for her when she is absent. Her upbeat attitude makes everyone’s day better, said one of her nominators, and she often sacrifices social events and lab activities to be there for her patients, said another nominator. Her pleasant voice calms nervous patients, especially young children.

“I like the freedom of the job,” Barlow said. “I like that I am able to work by myself, but I am still with others. I love the people and knowing people can count on us to deliver quality care and I love meeting new people every day.”

Barlow is a 1996 North Mason High School graduate and lives in Allyn with her 15-year-old daughter, who is a sophomore at North Mason High School as well. Barlow loves to hike, go on drives, visit with family and bake. One day, she’d love to open her own bakery.

The Professional Way Lab Draw Station is located at 235 Professional Way in Shelton and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday. The draw station is closed for lunch from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and closed second Tuesday of the month at 2:45 p.m.

MGH&FC is certified by Det Norske Veritas (DNV) and is a licensed and accredited acute care hospital with a level four emergency trauma designation. There are more than 100 physicians on staff in 19 specialties. MGH&FC now offers 3D Mammography Services and Virtual Care 24/7.  For more information on 3D mammograms, Virtual Care or to find a health care provider, visit www.MasonGeneral.com.

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