Saeed Shojaee Named MMC Laboratorian of the Year

Please join us in congratulating Saeed Shojaee on being selected as this year’s Memorial Medical Center Laboratorian of the Year. The recognition comes as no surprise to those who work alongside him every day. Known for his dedication, positive attitude, and willingness to step in wherever needed, Saeed embodies what it means to be a true team player.

Colleagues describe him as someone who is “always available to cover any shift” and who “will help anyone out with any questions.” Whether assisting in another department without being asked, helping process specimens during busy shifts, or simply bringing snacks and pastries to share, Saeed consistently uplifts those around him. As one team member shared, “Walking into the lab and seeing Saeed is always a joy.”

Saeed has dedicated 35 tremendous years to Memorial, beginning his journey in the lab after earning his medical technology degree in 1987. After working in El Paso and completing both his degrees, he continued serving Memorial on weekends while teaching full time at New Mexico State University. After 18 years of working at the university, he transitioned to working at the hospital full time.

Today, as a medical technologist, Saeed plays a vital role in patient care. “I run blood tests to see if people are anemic,” he explained. “I test electrolytes to see if the liver is functioning correctly and if the heart is functioning correctly. In the blood bank, we test to see what type of blood they have, and if they need blood, we give them the right type, so the hemoglobin goes up, which helps with oxygen. Once the oxygen is better, circulation is better, and they can go home.”

For Saeed, the heart of the job is helping patients. “You help patients, basically, by running the test, so the doctors can treat them,” he said.

But he is quick to emphasize that success in the lab is never the work of just one person. “Without teamwork, nothing gets done,” Saeed shared. From phlebotomists drawing blood to lab staff receiving, spinning, distributing, and running tests, he notes that “there are so many people involved. One person cannot do the job.”

While he humbly acknowledges that recognition is a group effort, his peers clearly see the difference he makes every day. They describe him as kind, welcoming, knowledgeable, calm under pressure, and always willing to go above and beyond.

Congratulations, Saeed, on this well-deserved honor. Thank you for your years of service, your leadership, and for being a shining example of dedication, teamwork, and compassion in our lab.