Having accrued more than five decades of expertise, Mary F. Beland, MT (ASCP) has built herself an honorable career in information technology for the health care system. Ms. Beland was initially inspired to join the field of information technology by a nuclear physicist with whom she worked. The nuclear physicist’s work pertained to computerizing the chemistry analyzer she was running manually, which sparked her curiosity about computerization and information technology within the medical and scientific sectors. Subsequently, Ms. Beland realized this line of work was an excellent fit for her skill sets and interests, leading her to focus her studies on medical technology and engineering.
To prepare for her career, Ms. Beland matriculated at Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts, where she attained a Bachelor of Science in medical technology and a Master of Science in medical technology in 2019. Subsequently, she obtained a Master of Science in computer systems engineering from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Massachusetts. Well-qualified in her field, she is a certified medical technologist through the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
In the early years of her career, Ms. Beland served as a clinical chemist for a hospital laboratory before joining the Harvard Medical School Southborough Campus in 1967 as an administrator of information technology. For 39 years, she focused her efforts on managing and directing all the software and hardware associated with the facility while managing several employees in her department. She excelled in her position until the start of her retirement in 2006.
In a career filled with highlights, Ms. Beland notes one of her most memorable achievements was producing images of certain viruses and documenting their interactions with the human cell. She also fondly remembers the beginning of computerizing equipment that she now uses consistently, as well as working on a machine that resulted in 15 different determinations with one blood sample. Ms. Beland attributes her professional success to her efforts to be a lifelong learner, along with her genuine interest and passion for her work.
To remain abreast of developments in her industry, Ms. Beland was a member of the American Society of Clinical Pathology and the Digital Equipment Corporation. Likewise, she has contributed various publications to PubMed, a free search engine accessing databases of references and abstracts on life sciences and biomedical topics. Throughout her decades of experience, her advice to women aspiring to enter a career in information technology in relation to health care is to be confident and not allow men to attempt to intimidate them in the workplace.
Outside of her primary work endeavors, Ms. Beland has served as a cantor for her local church and a vocalist for the Assabet Valley Mastersingers, a regional chorus with performances in Shrewsbury, Westborough, Northborough, Southborough and Marlborough, Massachusetts. With music as a significant aspect of her personal life, she enjoys incorporating music into her life in any way possible. Looking toward the future, Ms. Beland intends to continue to enjoy her well-deserved retirement. She currently resides in Westborough, Massachusetts.
