Taryn Waraksa-Deutsch

About Taryn Waraksa-Deutsch

Where you start matters – especially as a medical laboratory professional beginning your career. On my first day as a cytologist, I met my mentor, my cytopathology supervisor. I remember his belief in my abilities, both personal and professional, long before I saw them in myself. His mentorship shaped me into the leader I am today.

The signs appeared early: “Try this, I think you’d be good at it,” or “I need your feedback – what do you think?” Soon, I was learning senior-level tasks, assisting with managerial responsibilities, and contributing to business decisions and delegation. Years later, I no longer recognized the shy cytologist who once hesitated to speak up. I was driving goals, encouraging buy-in, and – most importantly – mentoring others. When my mentor announced his retirement, he gave me a knowing look and said simply, “You’re ready.”

For me, mentorship is exactly that: giving back to those who help us grow beyond what we imagined. Reflecting on my own early experiences, I began to notice the challenges others in our field faced – resistance to change, difficulty adapting, fear of the unknown. The common thread was a lack of mentorship. As I worked on the dissertation portion of my doctoral program, I set out to explore how to help laboratory professionals not only cope with change but embrace it.

Through surveys of ASCP members, my research showed that laboratory professionals respond best to change when guided by leaders who use transformational approaches. Such leaders act as role models, create belonging, inspire shared vision, encourage intellectual growth, and tailor development to individuals. All of these are, at their core, principles of mentorship.

When I published my findings, I sought to apply these lessons – sharing them with my team and with the broader laboratory community. My mentor once helped me break my own glass ceiling through patient, intentional guidance. Today, that is how I lead. To be the best version of yourself professionally, you must also nurture your best self personally, and mentors help make that possible.

Mentorship through transformational leadership motivates laboratory professionals to embrace change, deliver high-quality patient-centered care, and continue breaking their own glass ceilings.