Department Spotlight: Core Laboratory at Renown South Meadows Medical Center
Those of us who live in the Reno area have seen firsthand how much our region has grown since the pandemic. Our population has boomed – increasing by 6.25% since the 2020 census – and that number is only expected to increase, especially on the south end of town. As South Reno continues to grow, so do the healthcare needs of its residents. When it comes to unlocking the secrets of your health, the lab is one of the best places to start. And in south Reno, we are fortunate to have a department that is skilled at doing exactly that.
The Renown South Meadows Core Lab team is flourishing in their revamped space within the new Specialty Care Center. From advocating for preventive care to being a key player in the diagnostic process, these medical lab scientists and clinical lab assistants (CLAs) are ready to jump in to help at a moment’s notice.
Providing Clarity One Vial at a Time
Offering patients fast, reliable results in an intimate, refreshed setting, the Core Lab department at Renown South Meadows provides you with the answers you need so your provider can monitor and treat you throughout your healthcare journey. Like their counterparts in the Core Lab at Renown Regional Medical Center, our South Meadows team analyzes patient samples for a diverse array of tests, including:
- Blood Gas
- Chemistry & Immunoassay
- Coagulation
- Hematology & Differentials
- Microbiology
- Phlebotomy (featuring a new outpatient lab draw station)
- Urinalysis
Processing hundreds of tests per day for both inpatients and outpatients, everyone on this team succeeds by working together and having a set daily routine that they follow the minute they clock in for work.
“Every day is different, and that’s what I’ve loved for the past 38 years I’ve spent as a Clinical Lab Assistant,” said Brenda Buist, Outpatient CLA Lead. “Our team works together so well, and we’re always ready to jump in wherever we’re needed.”
“My day starts with quality control — I make sure the machines are running properly, and I check if there are any patients who need close monitoring; for example, if someone has a condition where we’re monitoring hemoglobin levels, that’s my priority,” added Jacob Johnson, Medical Lab Scientist. “Communication is key, and I am constantly working with the team. Precision and accuracy are everything.”
“We see about 100 patients a day,” added Elizabeth Ploumen, Outpatient CLA. “We’re out in the field calling patients, taking blood and urine samples and processing everything. We spin samples down, and we know exactly which tube to use and how to handle it. It’s not just about drawing blood — we are involved in every step of the process.”
Instead of feeling intimidated by the ever-increasing patient flow and the fast-growing healthcare needs of our community, the team channeled that energy into action. They worked together to bring even more tests, systems and processes to the lab.
“We’ve added so many tests since I started,” said Alexa Steiskal, Medical Lab Scientist. “The turnaround times have improved, and people are often surprised at the testing we can do here. For example, we are currently investigating the clinical utility of ionized magnesium, which is just as important as iron. The community really benefits from having these options locally.”
“When we moved into our new lab, I was in charge of getting a blood culture instrument up and running,” added Jacob Johnson. “I did all the correlation studies to make sure everything worked properly with our system. It was a big task, but now it’s working perfectly, and I’m proud of that.”
Speaking of that new lab, our Core Lab team could not be more thrilled about their stunning space in the Specialty Care Center at Renown South Meadows. They moved in and officially opened for patients in Jan. 2025 – and it’s a significant source of pride for the entire department.
“The opening of our new Specialty Care Center lab was a massive undertaking,” said Elizabeth Ploumen. “There was so much moving and transitioning, but we all came together. We put in the extra hours, and now it feels like a second home. We handled the chaos together.”
Even in a refreshed space of healing, it’s natural for some patients to still feel a level of anxiety when getting their blood drawn. Fortunately for them, the Renown South Meadows Core Lab team fully understands those feelings and is equipped to help each patient in any way they need.
“The patients are our priority, and we try to accommodate their needs, whether it’s helping them find the right room or just giving them a little extra time,” said Lori Seidler, Outpatient CLA.
“When I’m doing outpatient draws, I enjoy spending time with the patients and making that connection," added Zaya White, Outpatient CLA. “I have the chance to get to know them well.”
“Greeting patients with a smile and a kind word makes a difference, and I enjoy helping my patients feel comfortable,” added Brenda Buist. “I had a patient who was terrified of getting her blood drawn because of an unpleasant experience elsewhere. She came in and I could tell she was anxious. I took the time to walk her through it, comfort her, and even gave her a hug. The next week, she came back and gave me a bouquet of flowers. That really made my day.”
No matter if it’s a routine blood test or a more complicated immunoassay, the entire team is devoted to both patients and processes. Your health? Their priority.
A Commitment to a Healthier Nevada
Renown Health’s new vision, unveiled earlier this year, is to create a healthier future through exceptional care and discovery. Our Renown South Meadows Core Lab department is a fantastic example of living out our vision. After all, the results that emerge from the lab can provide life-saving insights into your health.
“Lab work can save lives,” said Alexa Steiskal. “I had a condition that was only diagnosed because I got routine lab work. If I hadn’t done it, I wouldn’t have known. Over the years, I have seen several patients who came in feeling ‘off’ and ended up being diagnosed with cancer. It’s so important to get your lab work done.”
"Lab work is the key to diagnosing and prolonging life, even if the answers don’t come right away,” added Brenda Buist. “It’s a process, and we’re part of solving that puzzle.”
“There are so many things we can’t see until we do the testing — whether it’s blood, stool, or urine,” added Zaya White. “It’s the first step to understanding what’s wrong and how to help.”
These team members are strong advocates for preventive care, emphasizing how getting your lab work done helps your providers catch issues early and get them closer to a diagnosis.
“We’re all about preventive care,” said Jacob Johnson. “Getting people in for their annual blood draws is the first step. Growing up in rural Texas, I saw firsthand how lack of access and education can affect people’s health.”
“We’re working to expand our reach, especially to rural areas – the more people we can help through lab work, the better,” added Elizabeth Ploumen.
The Core Lab department places education at the top of the to-do list. Their commitment to training and upskilling benefits both the employee and the patient, who have access to a team with extensive knowledge under their belt.
“I’m proud of how much I’ve learned,” said Zaya White. “Drawing blood was easy for me, but learning the computer and paperwork side was challenging. My team has been incredible at training me and giving me the confidence to succeed. I am more confident every day.”
“What stood out to me immediately when I came to this lab was the learning environment,” added Elizabeth Ploumen. “In other places, you might be left to figure things out on your own. Here, everyone is willing to help — it’s easy to ask questions, and you are truly set up for success.”
“This is actually my third career,” added Lori Seidler. “I was in retail management for 25 years, then stayed home for 17 years raising my kids. My oldest daughter is a nurse at Renown, and my younger one wants to be an EMT. My mom was in healthcare too. When I first started donating blood, I had this moment where I realized that I wanted to do something in healthcare. I looked into it, took a vocational school phlebotomy class and now I’m here. I love being around people and making connections.”
In order to take care of our community to the best of our abilities, we must take care of ourselves. With Renown being a People First health system and our Core Lab being a People First team, keeping Nevadans healthy is an even greater possibility.
“Being a People First organization is a big deal for me – yes, we care for the patients, but we also care for each other,” said Alexa Steiskal. “I make sure my coworkers take their breaks and ensure they are taken care of. I have been in this field for 20 years, and I know how important it is to take care of yourself so you can take care of others.”
Lab-or of Love
The key to a well-functioning team drills down to its people – and Renown Health takes this commitment seriously.
The Core Lab department at Renown South Meadows is no exception. From the first moment these team members stepped into the lab, they felt at peace knowing they were among kind, supportive coworkers who wanted nothing but the best for their team and patients.
“I first got exposed to the lab during my clinicals as a Truckee Meadows Community College student, and I knew I wanted to be part of a team that works toward the same goal — providing the best patient care possible,” said Zaya White. “A huge part of why I came here was the emphasis on teamwork. Here, everyone picks up the slack, asks questions without fear and is truly dedicated to supporting each other. It’s a work climate I align with.”
“Collaboration is an important value for our team,” added Jacob Johnson. “It’s all about working together. We know that the best way to get things done is as a team.”
As evidenced in their camaraderie, this team thrives in the caring environment they have created. When another one of her colleagues was diagnosed with a chronic condition, the team immediately jumped in to ensure she was taken care of.
“Everyone takes care of each other here,” said Lori Seidler. “When I was diagnosed with diabetes recently, my coworkers made sure I was okay. I had never experienced that level of care in a workplace before. It makes me want to come back every day, and I remind others to take care of themselves, too.”
When it comes to values in the lab, it’s all about integrity. Being honest, ethical and committed to doing the right thing with compassion is a must.
“We want everything done right,” said Elizabeth Ploumen. “If something is missing, we go find it. We troubleshoot a lot, and that’s all about making sure things are done properly, not just for the sake of the test but for the patient.”
“Both integrity and compassion are huge,” added Zaya White. “We deal with patients from all walks of life, and even if someone isn’t particularly friendly, you can still make their day better. That’s why I wanted this job — to care for people and be part of a team that shares that mission.”
Renown’s values, coupled with the chance to live in the beautiful Reno-Tahoe region, were large draws for the Core Lab team members. In fact, for one of these employees, those draws were enough for her to decide to end her traveling medical lab scientist career and settle down in the Biggest Little City for the long haul.
“I’ve been a travel medical lab scientist for 12 years and worked in 24 different labs across the country. When I came to Renown and the Reno-Tahoe area, it felt like home,” said Alexa Steiskal. “I’ve always wanted to live on the West Coast. Growing up in a small farming community in Idaho, I didn’t have access to much culture, so now I love that I can enjoy Broadway shows, theater and events like concerts at casinos. Plus, Lake Tahoe is right there for when I want to enjoy nature. It’s a perfect balance.”
At the end of the day, the Core Lab’s dedication goes far beyond fast tests and reliable results; that dedication extends to the way they care for their patients, the community and of course, each other.
“We live our values every day. It’s what makes our team work so well together – and we do it all to benefit the patient,” closes Brenda Buist.