Barbara “Babs” Gately has had a remarkable career here at Bridgton Hospital. Today we are celebrating her official retirement after 44 years of dedicated service to this hospital, our patients and the community. Babs has always valued education: her own and teaching others. She has a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and is board certified as a medical technologist. In 1995, Babs studied for and passed a rigorous exam, earning the additional certification of Technologist in Blood Bank. Babs shared her comprehensive blood bank knowledge while conducting student lectures at Central Maine Community College for their Medical Laboratory Technician program. She also provided clinical training in the lab for some of these students. Babs wanted to ensure future laboratory professionals were well trained to produce quality results. Babs has been a valued blood bank resource for providers, nurses, and co-workers at the hospital over the years. She presented transfusion-related education to nursing personnel; ensuring patients safely receive blood products when necessary. Babs has trained many new lab employees and has always been available for her co-workers when they have a complicated blood bank situation, at times coming in to work in the middle of the night to assist. At the suggestion and involvement of Barbara’s family and with the support of the administration, Barbara was presented with the first annual Barbara Gately Mentorship Award. Thank you, Babs, for all you have given to Bridgton Hospital and its community over the past 44 years! Pictured: Peter Gatley, Barbara Gatley, Sandra Clark
