HCMC Announces Department Director of the Quarter

Cutline: Pictured is Department Director of the Quarter at Henry County Medical Center, Christy Roberson, Director of Laboratory Services.  She was recently recognized during the Department Directors’ meeting in April.

Paris, TN – Henry County Medical Center is proud to announce that Christy Roberson, Director of Laboratory Services, was selected as Director of the Quarter at the April Department Directors meeting.

Roberson was selected for all her hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic.  She has been with HCMC since July 1993. She took over the Director of Laboratory in February 2010. She has always been a quiet behind the scenes manager, which is why she will tell you she works in the Lab so she doesn’t have to be front and center.

During this Covid-19 pandemic, Roberson and her Lab team have played a critical role since day one. Literally, she has been on the front line of collection, processing and monitoring of the test. She has been in charge of the testing, resulting and helping define the processes as we go under ever changing circumstances. She has procured testing materials and kept everyone up to date on supplies and what is coming down the pike going forward with COVID-19 as part of our new norm.  She has devoted many hours over the last month ensuring that HCMC is on top of this issue and meeting all guidelines for testing.

Billie McKee, CHRO at HCMC and her Administrative advisor stated “I am very proud of Christy’s knowledge, experience and performance guiding us through this crisis.”

Roberson graduated from Murray State with a BS in Medical Technology and came to work at HCMC two weeks later.  She started in the lab as a Medical Technologist on afternoon shift, then moved to day shift, obtained her supervisor’s license from the State of TN and became the microbiology supervisor, then the assistant director.   She has served as Director for 10 years.

“I knew I wanted to be a scientist the first time I used a microscope in my sophomore high school biology class,” said Roberson.  “A field trip to tour a hospital laboratory that same year helped me decide what my career path would be.  Even though we are usually behind the scenes, the work performed in the laboratory is vital to patient outcomes.  It is estimated that 60-70% of all decisions regarding a patient’s diagnosis and treatment are based on the results of tests performed in the medical laboratory.  I am blessed to work with a wonderful group of laboratory scientists and phlebotomists every day.  We do so much more than put tubes on a machine and push buttons.  Every tube of blood or nasal swab we receive is a human being and we never forget that those are the people who depend on us.”

She is married to Darren Roberson and has two children, Meridith, a sophomore vocal music major at Lipscomb University and a son, Keaton, who will be in 7th grade at Inman.

“I love being a part of the team here at HCMC” said Roberson.  “When I’m not at work, I enjoy cooking, working in my yard, and spending time with family and friends.”

HCMC recognizes department leaders every quarter as well as selecting a department leader of the year at the annual Service Awards Banquet.

For more information about HCMC, check us out online at hcmc.vewebsites.com.

About Henry County Medical Center

Located in Paris, TN, Henry County Medical Center is a progressive, integrated healthcare organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of Henry County and the adjoining region.  Including a 142-bed hospital and other facilities, the medical center provides a variety of outpatient services, as well as inpatient care. Additionally, HCMC owns and operates 7 provider clinics in various specialties.  Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit institution. For more information: hcmc.vewebsites.com.