A passion for making an impact through education

In the field of healthcare, medical technologists play a vital role that often goes unnoticed by the public. Maria Teresa Rodriguez, EdD, MSMT, MLS (ASCPi) CM, a licensed medical technologist from the Philippines with over 30 years of experience, stands out as an inspiring figure. Her journey is a blend of passion and a strong commitment to improving healthcare outcomes through continuous learning and teaching.

A registered and licensed medical technologist, Rodriguez has extensive clinical experience spanning more than 2 decades. For most of this time, she served as a chief medical technologist and college dean of medical technology at Trinity University of Asia Diagnostic Laboratory, followed by a move in 2022 to the University of Santo Tomas, one of the most prestigious universities in the Philippines.

Rodriguez's dual passion for teaching and laboratory work defines her identity. Teaching, she notes, is her calling — a conduit through which she instills the values of excellence and dedication in the next generation of medical laboratory scientists. “Being able to assist the medical technology graduates, assist them in passing the licensure examination to be a registered medical technologist,” she explains, “for me, this is a humbling opportunity.”

To further support the development of her students and practitioners around the country, Rodriguez published two books that are used regularly in university classrooms, and she speaks at events held for her community at the Philippine Association of Medical Technologists (PAMET). As she aptly stated, "When you train medical laboratory science students to provide quality and reliable patient results, it will be in their core. It will be in their heart[s]."

Her contributions, however, have extended beyond the confines of her home country. In the 1990s, Rodriguez ventured abroad, working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a medical technologist at Riyadh Central Hospital. In 2012, something fortuitous happened that brought her into contact with the Association for Diagnostics & Laboratory Medicine (ADLM, formerly AACC) and expanded her reach globally.

She came across an advertisement for the International Travel Grants program, which offered financial support that enabled her to travel to Houston and present a study at the 2013 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting on cystatin C and beta 2-microglobulin as early tests for renal dysfunction.

In 2018, ADLM and PAMET conducted the workshop “Adding Value to Patient Care Using Quality Control” through the ADLM Global Lab Quality Initiative (GLQI). Rodriguez joined 400 of her colleagues to listen to presentations from Victoria Zhang, PhD, Robert Rej, PhD, Sridevi Devaraj, PhD, DABCC, FRSC, and Gary L. Horowitz, MD, as well as former PAMET National Vice President Victor H. Lumboy.

As for her plans and goals, Rodriguez remains dedicated to training the next generation of laboratory scientists. For her, it's not only about competence but also about nurturing qualities such as heart, commitment, and compassion. With two review books for medical technologist licensure examinations and international certifications to her name, she continues to shape the education and training of medical laboratory scientists.

In a world where medical technologists often work behind the scenes, Maria Teresa Rodriguez's journey serves as a reminder that their work is fundamental to patient care. Her commitment to education, collaboration, and continuous learning has not only transformed her own career but continues to exist as a strong passion for her as she perseveres in her work.