After Decades Working in the Lab, Two Sisters Prove Never to Underestimate the Dedication of Women in Medicine

(l-r) Laura McCoy and Joanne McCoy Davis

9.12.2023

After Decades Working in the Lab, Two Sisters Prove Never to Underestimate the Dedication of Women in Medicine

By Holly Ford
Contributed photos

In recognition of Women in Medicine Month, we’re honoring some of the women who have dedicated their careers to making a positive impact on the lives of patients, women who are furthering our efforts to deliver quality care and women who are shaping the future of healthcare here at UVA Health and beyond.

Amherst natives, Laura McCoy and her sister, Joanne McCoy Davis, have spent 31 and 41 years, respectively, in the Medical Laboratories at UVA Health. In their lengthy careers, they have gained an appreciation for the role women play in medicine, and have words of wisdom for those considering entering the field.

“Women in medicine wear many hats,” says Laura. “My advice is to be compassionate and understanding. Stay confident and true to yourself, and find joy in your profession. The work we do is important and never-ending.”

Joanne adds, “Women may have a different impact, perspective and knowledge (than men). Women should be passionate and follow their dreams. You can be whatever you want to be!”

Get to Know: Laura and Joanne

Tell us about your background.

Laura: I’ve lived in Amherst all of my life and drive 130 miles round-trip daily to get to work. I attended Lynchburg College and Central Virginia Community College, where I studied accounting and computer science, and was hired as a computer programmer while still in school.

Joanne: I attended Lynchburg College and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology, and then I attended Walden University, where I got my Master’s of Science degree in higher education.

Why did you choose medicine as a career?

Laura: After about two years of working as a computer programmer, I realized programming was not what I wanted to do. I wanted to do something new and different that would involve helping others and give me more contact with people. After changing jobs a bit, my sister encouraged me to work for UVA Medical Laboratories. I can still remember saying, ‘OK, I’ll try it for a year and then move on.’ Thirty-one years later, and I’m still here!

Joanne: I chose medicine as a career because I thought I would enjoy being a member of a healthcare team.

Why did you choose to work at UVA Health?

Laura: I started my career at UVA Medical Laboratories as a specimen management tech on the night shift. Later, I was the first employee hired into Customer Service for UVA Medical Laboratories, where I continue to work today. I was instrumental in establishing the Laboratories Call Center, and one of the highlights of my career was serving as liaison and trainer for the opening of the dialysis centers in Amherst and Lynchburg.

Joanne: I chose to work at UVA because I thought it would be challenging and rewarding, and it is a place where I never stop learning and growing. One of the greatest assets is my co-workers! We collaborate a lot.

What is your current role?

Laura: As a customer service representative, I am a resource for our physicians, nurses, and other patient care team members. I answer questions about how to enter orders, which test to order, tube and collection types, minimum volumes, results, and test cancellations. I also assist with a wide variety of other duties like reporting exposure results and COVID-19 PCR [polymerase chain reaction] results, and investigating and resolving problems.

Joanne: I am a clinical laboratory scientist by training and am certified as a generalist, hematology specialist and flow cytometry specialist. I am currently a Clinical Laboratory Scientist 3 in the Core Laboratory. I perform white blood cell differentials, special hematology testing, including bone marrow differentials and blood parasite identification, body fluid analysis, urinalysis, and other manual tests like pregnancy tests, mono tests, hemoglobin A1Cs, blood and serum osmolality, and plasma hemoglobins. I also train employees and other healthcare professionals.

What are the pros and cons of working at the same place as your sister?

Laura: We support and encourage each other. We rely on each other for favors. For example, if I need a slide pulled, and feel that I can’t get to it right away, all I have to do is call her and she will get it for me. Plus, it’s awesome seeing her every morning and having lunch together every day. We celebrate the victories together, and when we need a break, we take off and head to Vegas or the Bahamas to de-stress. Honestly, I can’t think of any negatives associated with working with my sister.

Joanne: I would like to say there are no negatives to working with my sister. We have a close bond and work well together.

What inspires you?

Laura: I like to be challenged and love solving a mystery. A good challenge keeps me engaged.

Joanne: I am inspired by being there for the patient even if it is behind the scenes. Each tube, each specimen, is important to someone.

What do you find most rewarding about your work?

Laura: Making an impact and contributing to patient care, without a doubt, as well as working with a great group of dedicated laboratory professionals who support and inspire one another.

Joanne: The most rewarding thing at work is looking at an abnormal smear. I get to use my morphologic skills, and I am helping the patient.

*****

Thank you, Laura and Joanne, for sharing your story! During Women in Medicine Month in September, Connect will continue showcasing UVA Health team members, including a series featuring pairs of mothers, daughters, and/or sisters — all working at UVA Health. While many of our colleagues offered to participate, we regrettably can not share all of their stories (as much as we would love to!). Connect is incredibly grateful to all of them, including: