Kelsey Van Thuyne and Amanda Leonhard, two medical technologists at Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD), share a bond formed over centrifuges and rare blood phenotypes. Their days at BBD’s Immunohematology Reference Laboratory (IRL) are marked by a shared commitment to the intricate puzzles of blood banking and camaraderie that thrives on their small team’s close-knit dynamic.
Van Thuyne and Leonhard, who started at BBD around a year ago, begin their days immersed in a whirlwind of tasks that demand precision and critical thinking. Their responsibilities vary depending on the assignment—packing and shipping samples to partner facilities, extended phenotyping, patient workups, rare inventory management, or overseeing donor testing. No two days are alike, each bringing its own challenges and priorities.
Van Thuyne and Leonhard’s work goes well beyond matching basic blood types. They handle specialized transfusions, where compatibility involves much more than blood type. Patients may need blood that matches rare genetic markers or requires careful screening for antibodies to prevent dangerous reactions.
The lab, divided into distinct benches with specialized roles, operates like an intricate machine. One bench is responsible for antibody titers, antigen orders, and patient workups—complex cases that hospitals send when they can’t identify problematic antibodies in a patient’s blood. “It’s like solving a puzzle,” Van Thuyne said. “You eliminate possibilities, test again, and slowly piece together the answer. It’s challenging, but there’s never a dull day.”
Another bench focuses on extended phenotyping and managing BBD’s rare inventory—a collection of uniquely tagged blood units critical for patients with special transfusion needs. For individuals with sickle cell disease or those requiring antigen-negative blood, these rare units can mean the difference between life and death.
A third bench, bridges departments and plays a pivotal role in mass screening for antigens like big C, big E, and big K. This work, vital for building the lab’s antigen-negative inventory, ensures that patients with complex needs have access to compatible blood. This bench runs a flow cytometer in tandem with the automated mass antigen screening, performing one aspect of product QC to ensure the quality and safety of all products collected by BBD.
For such a nuanced and delicate process, BBD relies on a team of professionals who approach their work with exceptional detail and care. Their supervisor, Chloe Homich, Manager of the Immunohematology Reference Laboratory, speaks about them with visible pride. “You don’t give yourselves enough credit,” Homich told them during our interview. “You’re both phenomenal MLSs—exceptional blood bankers. I knew you’d be great hires, but you prove me right every day…I have that external perspective, having known you before I hired you.”
Homich taught Van Thuyne and Leonhard’s blood bank laboratory courses at the University of Delaware from 2021-2022. Dynamics like this help cultivate the close-knit environment they now have in their department and division.
“Even if the doors are closed, every door is open here,” said Van Thuyne. “There’s no time when I’m scared to say something to my boss,” Leonhard added over her. Both technologists expressed that Chloe and Kristin (Frederick, Senior Director of Laboratories) create such a comfortable environment where they feel encouraged to ask questions and seek help. “We wouldn’t be able to learn and do as much as we do without them.”
The lab’s small size benefits teamwork and chemistry. “You can tell when someone needs help,” Leonhard said. We’re all trained on every bench, so if someone’s swamped, we just step in. No one hesitates.”
Both technologists noted that the team’s warm, close-knit dynamic extends even to the attitude of the donor base. The lab’s proximity to the donor floor offers a rare glimpse into the community that supports their work. “Sometimes donors come in, and they’re so excited to give,” Van Thuyne said. “I feel like it’s because donating at our facility is a good experience.”
Kelsey’s brother, an O-type donor, began giving blood a few years ago when he was eligible. His enthusiasm has only grown. “He was so excited to donate,” Van Thuyne said. “When I brought him in July, he couldn’t stop talking about how great everyone was. ‘All the phlebotomists wanted to talk to me,’ he said. ‘Everybody was so nice, chatting about whatever.’ Now, he’s asking to come back at Christmas.”
The outstanding donor experience is reflected in laboratory services. Exceptional turnaround times and the laboratory’s ability to provide these specialty products and services are made possible by the dedication of BBD lab workers like Taylor Brown, whom Leonhard and Van Thuyne singled out during the interview as a standout team member for her unwavering hard work. Known for her willingness to go above and beyond, Brown frequently stays late to finish urgent workups or saves on-call staff from overnight trips to the lab. “She’s incredible,” said Leonhard. “We wouldn’t expect her to do that, but she often goes above and beyond.”
Despite their heavy workload, the team makes the lab a joyful space. Fundraiser T-shirts, shared jokes, and a genuine sense of community lighten the weight of their responsibilities. For Van Thuyne and Leonhard, the joy is in the blend of science and humanity that defines their roles. “You’re making an impact and helping save lives, and many people don’t even know it’s happening behind the scenes,” Leonhard said. “I think as lab people, a lot of us just love being able to have an impact on patient care while being a little bit more indirect.”
At BBD, every vial of blood tells a story. Their team’s passion, care, curiosity, and commitment begin and end with saving lives. Van Thuyne and Leonhard’s impact is clear: each day, they help save lives, driven by a shared commitment to their craft and the patients who depend on them.