Courtney Burkley, MS/MLS ’23, said she grew up in a house full of “first responders.”
Her mother was a surgical nurse so Burkley found that she was also interested in all
things medical, however the field of medical laboratory science came to her by happenstance.
“While pursuing another degree, I was introduced to the field of laboratory science and a light bulb went off. That’s when I knew I had found my purpose,” she said.
Burkley currently works as the laboratory operations supervisor at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. In the future, she plans to use her knowledge, skills, and abilities to grow the profession of laboratory science, in addition to bringing innovative techniques into the field of transfusion medicine.
As a student in the post-professional track, she has been able not only to learn, but to teach students as well. “I was able to use my knowledge of laboratory science and become the lab instructor for the pre-professional students,” she said.
Burkley is from Vicksburg, Mississippi, a small town on the Mississippi River. She attended undergraduate school at the University of Louisiana, Monroe where she earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. She later attended Mississippi College and obtained a Master of Health Services Administration degree. At the same time, she went to the Mississippi Baptist Medical Center School of Medical Technology to receive a certification in medical laboratory science.
“I had to take a different route to reach my goals,” she said, “and with the support of my husband and family, I am reaching new heights every day.”
She advises incoming students to “always follow your passion and stay curious. Laboratory medicine is an ever growing field in need of curious minds.”
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