Heather J. MacDonald, MS, M(ASCP), MB(ASCP), has built an esteemed career in health care, marked by her dedication to clinical laboratory management and her commitment to patient care. Pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy in health sciences at Rush University, she already holds a master’s degree in clinical laboratory management from the same institution. Alongside her academic pursuits, she secured a regulatory body certification in addition to certifications in microbiology and molecular biology from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Since 2020, Ms. MacDonald has been the system manager at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, where she oversees the microbiology laboratory, anatomic pathology and histology, and the advanced diagnostic lab that performs molecular and genetic testing.
Prior to this role, Ms. MacDonald managed the advanced diagnostic laboratory at ADL Health and worked as a medical technologist in a clinical laboratory. Her early career included a stint as a pediatrician in a microbiology laboratory. One of her most significant achievements in recent years was validating COVID-19 testing for patients in March and April 2020. The pandemic caused many health care services to shut down abruptly, leaving patients without access to essential treatments like chemotherapy and critical surgeries. The medical staff had to halt all services until they could safely test their patients for COVID-19. After testing was validated, they resumed essential services, a major challenge that Ms. MacDonald and her team overcame to provide necessary treatment. She also has made notable contributions to the academic and professional communities, publishing papers with Dr. Darris for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and writing courses for a web-based company, MediaLab Inc., for its quality management platform. Ms. MacDonald’s achievements in publishing and course development highlight her dedication to advancing knowledge in her field.
Ms. MacDonald credits her success to the opportunities she has had to work with providers and medical directors who prioritize investing in their teams and patients. Throughout her career, she has been fortunate to develop relationships with excellent mentors who have contributed significantly to her achievements. Moreover, her memberships in the American Society for Microbiology, College of American Pathologists, and American Society for Clinical Pathology reflect her ongoing commitment to professional development and excellence.
Striving to give back as much as possible, Ms. MacDonald expresses gratitude to those who have helped her along the way. Her advice to aspiring members of her industry emphasizes the importance of trusting their instincts and not letting anyone undermine their worth or capabilities. Further, Ms. MacDonald encourages following one’s passions and not allowing obstacles to hinder one’s goals, especially for women, whom, she notes, may face additional challenges in the health care field.
From a young age, Ms. MacDonald was naturally caring, finding fulfillment in helping others, including people and animals. She would often bring home injured animals she found while playing in the woods. This nurturing character extended to her family when her grandmother, who dealt with pernicious anemia, lived with them and required frequent transfusions and home health care. These early experiences sparked Ms. MacDonald’s passion for helping people, particularly patients, and ultimately led her to pursue a career in laboratory medicine and health care. This same sense of devotion is why, today, she is also a longtime, dedicated donor to the Furniture Bank of Metro Atlanta.Looking ahead, Ms. MacDonald aims to continue growing in her field. As she completes her doctorate, she is considering roles such as a lab director or other positions within her current company. She also aspires to become an adjunct professor, teaching programs for future medical technologists and health sciences professionals. This would enable her to give back to the upcoming workforce by passing on the insights, hands-on experience, and guidance she received during her career. In her personal spaces, Ms. MacDonald relishes time with her family and friends and enjoys hiking local trails with her dogs, cooking, and trying new recipes and restaurants.