Without dedicated team members like these, we couldn’t do what we do.

Tara Ruhland is a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) who has been with The Richland Hospital and Clinics (TRHC) since 2000. Born and raised in Richland Center, Tara says she’s lived within three blocks of the hospital for almost her entire life. When she was young, she loved science; when she started college, she took every science class she could. “I knew I wanted to work in health care,” she said, “but I wasn’t sure in what way.”

While Tara was a student, Julie Kepler (then Lab Director at TRHC) invited Tara’s microbiology class to the lab for a job shadow. After her time in the lab, Tara knew what she wanted to do. She moved to Madison and enrolled in a program to become an MLT. Not long after, Julie Kepler called her. “She asked if I’d be interested in working in the lab over the summer,” Ruhland recalls. Tara eagerly accepted, working then as a Laboratory Assistant and getting hands-on experience. She stayed on, working weekends, while she completed her degree in Madison. After graduating, she transitioned to her current role.

Tara’s love of learning didn’t end when she graduated. She continues to learn all she can from those around her. “Many of our providers take time to help us connect our work to the patients we’re helping. They talk to us about why they are asking for certain tests and how they will treat conditions based on what we find.” Tara finds ways to share her love of learning with others. “I taught in the Medical Laboratory Program at Southwest Tech., and I loved it,” she says.

One of the aspects of TRHC that Tara appreciates is its relatively small size. “We still have a family feel,” she said. Within the lab team, the organization’s small size means that each team member needs to develop skills in all aspects of the lab. “In larger organizations, Medical Laboratory Technicians are often very specialized. You might only do phlebotomy, for instance. But here, we get to learn all aspects of the lab, which keeps the work engaging.”

Tara’s enthusiasm for her work is evident, and it’s one of the qualities that make her such a wonderful part of TRHC’s team. Thank you, Tara, for your 24 years of dedication to TRHC. We are lucky to have you!