Weekend Microbiology Supervisor & Administrator

Minerva A. Garcia, MS, MLS, MT (ASCP)

** ******* **. ****** ******, New York 10302

Cell: 646-***-**** email: *********@*****.***

Weekend Genera Supervisor Apr 2013- Current Wyckoff Heights Medical Center Brooklyn, NY

In-charge of the laboratory operation during the weekend. Worked with BD blood culture instrument BD BACTEC™ FX blood culture system

Cepheid GeneXpert, BioFire FilmArray BCID2 and Meningitis Panel (CSF specimens), BD BACTEC™ FX blood culture system, Phoenix Antimicrobial Susceptibility, MediTech LIS

Pulled positive, gram stained and plating: Urine, wounds Aerobic & anaerobic, stools microaerophilic, body fluids, tissues, tips, send out specimen’s reference lab, accessioning, proficiency testing, LIS review staff entries and assist staff as needed

100% in CAP inspector 2024 new role as Microbiology Administrator. No issues left uncovered nor unresolved during my work performance during weekend. No complaints by hoes staff, clinicians nor staff, worked with all staff= Successfully. Available to assist when needed.

All laboratory issues solved in a proficient and timely manner All TAT. Instrumentation issues investigated/followed up as needed/as mandated

Associate Director Microbiology Dec 23, 2013- June 6, 2025 Jacobi Medical Center Bronx, NY

In-Charge Microbiology laboratory Operation/Sitting-in the as bench Technologist to meet patients’ needs and assist all the Technologist, including physicians with understanding and interpreting microbiology testing, especially unusual cases. Current NYS & CAP Checklist. 100% PT & Inspections.

Daily oversight of the Microbiology Dept, /Staff performance, Employees’ Evaluations, Payroll, NYS and CAP proficiencies entry/monitoring, and representation in PI Committee, Infection Control, etc. overseeing new instruments implementation

Responsible for SOPs writing/validations and comparisons studies and the lab orders, teaching Residents, Medical Students, etc. reviewing all microbiology LIS patients’ result entries. Worked closely with Infection. Disease, Infection Prevention, Pharmacy, etc. & Meeting Sales Rep’s.

Responsible for payroll for all the Microbiology staff, gram stain reading of blood culture, CSF, wounds, respiratory, biopsies, tissues, bone marrow, aseptic technique plating, performing PCRs platforms (BioFire, Cepheid GeneXpert, Infinity, GenMark, B-T-Alert a

Lab Week celebration/evaluate speakers for the lab and represent the Microbiology lab in its celebration by making posters, other ideas for the benefits of the betterment of the lab celebratory events.

Submission of proficiencies via online of: NYS (in the past), CAP & trained Management on PT Entries (NYS & CAP) on 2014

Education staff through lectures and Continuing Education (to satisfied CEUs criteria) *Trained staff for CAP Inspections

Parasitology Dept. guided the supervisor’s questions and concerns as it relates to updates, etc.

Lab Week Celebrations and newly elected as President for Lab Week

Teaching Medical Technology students from three major universities/colleges and Residents rotations in Microbiology

Meeting with various manufacturers, Pharmaceuticals Representatives and hospitals’ Administrative

Representation in meetings: Infection Prevention, Antimicrobial Stewardship committee, PI (Performance Improvement) and departmental representation in various meetings/committees

Preparation of Antibiogram and writings for online publication and distribution

Implementation/training/writing of SOP on new molecular test: Cepheid FLU PCR

Implementation and design of an inexpensive Gram Stainer to meet EPA citation and Guidelines

Representation at Annual ASM Convention, Boston, MA and NYC ASM

Instrumental bringing Cepheid NAA (February 2014, BioFire FilmArray testing 2022, BioMerieux blood culture Virtuo, new CLSI updates susceptibilities (MIC lowest breakpoints) and latest MDRO testing/antibiotics e.g., Cefepime-Enmetazobactam (CEF-ENM), Plazomicin (Acinetobacter spp. or P. aeruginosa), Imipenem/cilastatin/relebactam for cUTI and cIAI indications at a dose, Eravacycline (ERV), combat CRE by evading resistance enzymes, Ceftazidime-Avibactam, CZA (CEF/AVI) complicated intra-abdominal infections, urinary tract infections, and pneumonia., Ceftolozane/Tazobactam (CT), Imipenem/Relebactam (IPR), Merpenem/Vaborbactam (MEV), Minocycline (MC), Ceftriaxone (TX), Tigecycline (TGC), Vancomycin (VA), Polymyxin B (PO) Levofloxacin (LE) and Ciprofloxacin (CI)

Inspection 2014 (CAP) and 2024 (NYS): Microbiology, Mycology, Mycobacteriology and Molecular -Result: No deficiencies

Served in the capacity as an “Inspector of the laboratory by CAP” Feb 2015 and have trained staff for inspections

Implementations of molecular testing: Cepheid Influenza NAA and Hologic CT/GC NAA RNA

Served as CAP site hospital Inspector at various hospitals 2014-2024. Current with NYSDOH & CAP Checklist

Implementation of an inexpensive Gram Stainer Disposable Reagent Device tried USA Patent to meet EPA for the lab/Policy written by Minerva

Gram stain morphology and bacterial vaginosis (BV) Northwell Health reference exposure for education purposed communicated to staff

Representation at Annual ASM Convention, Boston, MA and NYC ASM

CAP Inspection 2014: Microbiology, Mycology, Mycobacteriology and Molecular -Result: No deficiencies found, CAP Inspector Feb 2015, May 2016 and Jeb 2017, October 2018, 2020, implementations of two instruments; Cepheid/Infinity instruments NAA (SARS/FLU/RSV, Throat, BC MRSA/MSSA and Nasal MRSA), 2023 BioMerieux BioFire FilmArray: BCID2 and GI and Respiratory Panels

BioMerieux BioFire FilmArray research studies approved by Director of Laboratories, MedMed Research Studies approved by Director of Laboratories, 2025 BioMerieux Virtuo blood culture instrument and Diasorin MeMed/Candida auris molecular platforms

2025 GeneBio Systems, Inc SkinnyTube 10X Dx Viral Transport Medium System

100% in all CAP proficiencies and inspections (CAP, NYSDOH, EPA, JACHO, Fire Dept. and mock inspections)

Assisted all clinicians and Microbiology staff with guidance/interpretation of lab results and testing

CDC isolates for Microscan antimicrobial susceptibility new breakpoints testing for ATCC Isolates

Validations and comparisons performed utilizing two methodologies: MIC (E-test vs. Microscan)

ASM 2025 metal received for speaking at major ASM symposiums, presenter posters and major speaker at numerous conferences/symposiums 2009-2025 conferences of major cases. Published scientist, Teaching: New students Lab Technology, Residents, Pharmacy students, medical students, etc., the many aspects of Microbiology. 100% in all inspections & 100% in all proficiencies.

Microbiologist Jan 2020-Jan 2025 Dr. Craig Campbell Staten Island, NY

Reading of patients nail samples by preparation via KOH Prep (wet mount). Utilizing a microscope for fungal elements like hyphae and spores. Prepared with a potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution, which dissolves the keratinous nail and skin cells, making the fungi viable observation. preparation.

Microbiology Technologist 2021- 2023 Maimonides Medical Center Brooklyn, NY

Reading of gram stains in all CSF specimens (STAT). Worked to assist with enormous testing CoVid (SARS/FLU/RSV) Testing and microbiology testing (CSF, malaria smear, C.difficile, MRSA NAA, Strep Ag, Strep NAA, and as needed and send out to reference lab. Instrumentation (Cepheid Infinity, GenMark and BioMerieux BioFire FilmArray. Placing calls to floors on all Panick, Critical calls and answering calls incoming.

Microbiology Supervisor 8/2006-Dec 20, 2013 Flushing Hospital Medical Center Flushing, NY

Daily oversight of the lab and staff performance, Employees’ Evaluations, Payroll and all proficiencies monitoring and competency

SCC (SOFT) Microbiology implementation new LIS for the lab & Prepare yearly Antibiograms

Oversee regulatory compliance including Daily Review, Critical Values, QCs, Reportable and Microscan reports

ECLRS Reporting to NYS, implement and ensure compliance with SOPs All validations assurance performance

Conduct budget planning and budget for maintenance, yearly instrumentations PM’s, Management assessment on reagents, Reagents ordering, etc.

Process, analyze and present departmental statistics (Blood, CT/GC Qx DNA Amplification, E-Test MDR, MDR Acinetobacter Imipenem E-Test, & additional Testing (D-test, Cefox Disk, ESBL & Modified Hodge test implementation, upgrade MicroScan to WA96 Maintenance, C.difficile Antigen/Toxin, MRSA Screening, and BioMerieux Previ Color Gram Stainer, and yearly downloaded/reviewed Checklist CAP/NYSDOH for inspection preparedness

Implementation of CAP Inspection Program & overseeing CAP/NYS/JACHO inspectors/ECLRS/Electronic

Proficiency reporting, overseeing all QCs performance & Proficiencies: CAP and NYS Exception Response Form writings

Annual Lab Week Celebration Lab Week lecture preparation

Statistics reports monthly to Chairwoman of pathology Department monitor and maintain department inventory

Corporate compliance Assurance serve on hospital wide committees, i.e. Infection Control, Therapeutic, Nutrition

and Pharmacy and participate in the RSV and Influenza Surveillance Programs

Serve as the liaison with the IT department regarding the lab information system, and train all new hires on the system

Representation of department at Board Meetings: Pharmacy, Infection Control and Controlling of nosocomial infections- Antimicrobial Stewardship Committee. Teaching: St. John’s University Medical Technology students’ and residents and rotations

Representations at major conferences/symposium & responsible for ensuring Microbiology staff meets CEUs for NYS

Serve as a hospital resource regarding Pandemic Influenza NYCDOHMH-BCD procedures and protocols, MRSA, and

The Swine Flu pandemic for NYCDOHMH-BCD & CDC testing, Reporting results RSV/Influenza to the Surveillance

National DATA BASE and special lab test submission via Shipping/Packaging with a Federal Express Form filled out to CDC

Lab Committee member for 1199 SEIU Clinical Laboratory Technical & Professional seminars on Saturdays

Worked closely with Infectious Disease & other Dept in publications of journals

Meeting Pharmaceutical Sales Reps, Inspectors: CAP, NYS and JACHO, and representing my department

As Sept 2011 Antibiotic Stewardship Committee, assisted with EZ- ACCESS and the new EPIC Software (Physicians HIS) and Molecular implementation BD Viper CT/GC NAA Qx DNA Amplification (For Urine & Urogenital specimens)

Implementation and writing of the procedures/staff training of molecular testing for the instrument: BD Viper CT/GC Qx DNA Amplification in urine and endocervical swabs specimens. Also initiated in the revisions on this SOP: (1) all sexually abused cases, culture must be performed before any molecular testing (2) and any specimen(s) with results 800 testing must be repeated to ensure accuracy of the specimen provided.

PNA FISH- Its implementation and writing of the procedures/staff training of molecular testing in the Blood Culture CAP

CAP & NYS Inspections 2007-2013 Microbiology Dept Result: No deficiencies found

Presented case at San Francisco, CA Streptobacillus moniliformis homeless man ER visit unconscious. 2009.

Presented Staph cases: 1st) MRSA (hVISA and 2nd MRSA VISA) and 3nd MSSA (hVISA) wound culture on a diabetic patient

An unusual report patient wound culture with a Moraxella species-stained gram-positive cocci (Pairs) not typical of genus

7/16/86-August 2005 F/T

Clinical Laboratory Technologist Beth Israel Medical Center

New York, NY

August 2005- Sept 2008 P/T

Clinical Laboratory Technologist Beth Israel Medical Center

New York, NY

Served as Lead Tech capacity and directed staff as needed & Committee members on Lab Week

Performed culture identification & susceptibilities with Vitek System I & Vitek 2

Set-up of proficiencies (City, State and CAP) including QC’s

Trained incoming Technologists, Lab administrative personnel, Medical Students and residents (Infect. Disease, Pathology, Pulmonary, Pediatric, Pharmacy students and infection Control nurse practitioners in the many aspects of Microbiology pertaining to Bloods, Wounds, Respiratory, Urine, BF, Genitals, and stools, CSF, Plating, Parasitology and Anaerobic bacterial.

Researching Icare Studies, Levofloxacin in S. pneumoniae & Resistance Imipenem, Acinetobacter, P.aeruginosa, VRE & Emergence of resistant Enterobacteriaceae using E-Test, Disk Diffusion, Vitek System I & Microscan methods

Prepared and conducted discussions and lectures/conferences for fellow colleagues/collected unusual microbes for research and teaching purposes.

Prepared unknowns for Technologist, Residents, Medical students during Microbiology lab rotations

2005-06

Microbiology Manager, Trained staff with MultiData computer system reports entry

Universal Diagnostic Lab

BKLYN, NY

1988-89

Clinical Laboratory Technologist –Microbiology /Chemistry

Doctors Hospital

SI, NY

1988-89

Clinical Laboratory Technologist-Microbiology, Id/Susceptibility Microscan

St. Vincent’s Med.CTR

NY, NY

1982-84

Lab Assistant Preparing chemical reagents undergraduate Chemistry courses

St. Francis College

BKLYN, NY

1985- 86

Training in Medical Technology: Microbiology, Chemistry, Microbiology

Maimonides Med.CTR

BKLYN, NY

1976-82

Medical Assistant: Phlebotomy, booking admission & surgeries

Baldo Bertocchi, MD

BKLYN, NY

1972-76

Candy stripper: Making patients’ beds, feeding patients, taking specimens to the labs

Lutheran Medical CTR

BKLYN, NY

EDUCATION:

MS degree: In Medical Microbiology. Mayor’s Scholarship candidate Long Island University

BLYN, NY

Post Graduate Courses College of Staten Island the City University New York

Staten Island, NY

Graduate courses

Recombinant DNA Techniques & Microbial Pathogenesis. Paper written VRE transfer genes to Staph through transposon in 1994 seen cases 2008 at Flushing Hospital Medical Center. Wagner College

Staten IslandI, NY

Columbia University

Biology of Nerve Cells, Molecular Microbiology Post Graduate Courses

New York, NY

St. Francis College

Bachelor of Science, in Biology with focus on research. Performed researched for chairman of biology

Dr. Dennis Corrigan

BKLYN, NY

Medical Technology Training

Microbiology, Chemistry and Microbiology

Maimonides Medical Center

BLYN, NY

SCHOLARSHIP & HONORS: Mayor’s Scholarship, Spanish, Dean’s List, ASM Medal speaker/poster presentations, lobbied with 1199 SEIU at Washington and Albany 1997, Publication in Lab Weel Professional titled: NYC, The Apple First Lab License by Minerva A. Garcia, Anaerobic Bacteriology certification by Ellen Jo Baron and Scott Finefold (Two leading pioneers in Microbiology).

LICENSURE: NY State Clinical Laboratory Technologist Certifications: ASCP (Microbiology, Hematology and Chemistry)

MEMBERSHIPS: NYC & National ASM, American Chemical Society, New York Academy of Science (active member), Alliance for Prudent Use of Antibiotics, Advance for Lab Professional, ASCP in Medicine & New York Mycology Society

CERTIFICATIONS: ASCP Board of Registry Certifications: Chemistry, Hematology and Microbiology, computer certifications: Introduction to Excel, Microsoft Words, Power Point, E-mails, Leader-ship built-skills, Certified Spanish Medical Interpreter, Anaerobic Bacteriology, CAP Inspector Training Course certificate, Anaerobic Bacteriology, Biological Safety Cabinets, BioSafety Level III Cabinets, Lab Preparedness Exercises, certified in Shipping/Packaging Infectious Substances/Goods & Microscan Walkaway, Annual ASM conference attendance and NYCDOHMH Sentinel Laboratory certificate up to date. Corporate Compliance certifications and Managements courses., certified by 1199 SEIU Employment Fund on “Environmental Green Efforts”, Communication Leadership, ASM, Posters/Symposium speaker acknowledged and medal recognition.

PUBLICATIONS: Damon Lab News, Local 1199 SEIU News, NYC ASM, Advance for Clinical Laboratory Professionals & SHEA. Contributed to all the writings for an abstract publication in SHEA on MRSAhVISA (2008) for our Infectious Disease Director most recently. Vancomycin Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (VISA) infections ARE ON THE RISE, D.Asnis M. Garcia, Published in New York Chapter Americans College of Physicians/Doctors for Adults Sat March 8, 2008, Neurocysticercosis in the Infant of Pregnant mother with a tapeworm (2009) Am.J.Trop.Med & Hygiene, Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus Meningitis New York, NY, USA, 2009, hVISA (MRSA), VISA (MRSA), MSSA-hVISA, Recovery of Streptobacillus moniliformis, a GV-PmBdCurvB from clinical Blood Culture sample in aerobic bottle, Flushing, NY, USA; presented at American Society for Microbiology 112th General Meeting asm2012 San Francisco, California, June 16-19, 2012, and working on MDR and BV. Poster presentation Microbiology Conference at ASM 2013 American Society for Microbiology 112th General Meeting San Francisco,CA paper on “Recovery of Streptobacillus moniliformis, a GV-PmBdCurvB from clinical Blood Culture sample in aerobic bottle, Flushing, NY, USA” written/presented by Minerva A. Garcia C(ASCP)CM, Hcm, Mcm, accepted for Publication Feb 2015 for the JOMM (Jour of Medical Microbiology, Harvard Medical School, New Research science Center at Joseph P. Martin presented abstract at the Society of Biomolecular Imaging and Informatics 2nd Conferences ”Pathogenicity of Mobiluncus mulieris a GVCurB Vital Role in Pregnant Women Sept 5-17, 2015, and ASM 7th Conference on Biofilms abstract presented Oct 24-29, 2015. Abstract accepted at the 32nd ASM Clinical Virology symposium on- RSV: In Immunocompromised /Suppressed Patients, Why Not Treat? New submission STD Prevention Conference Sept 20-23, 16 Atlanta, GA On- Is Chlamydia trachomatis an Indicator for Appendix in Young Women? At ASM Conference Streptococcal Genetics June 2016 GAS: Mother and Newborn is the Same Strain and/or Nosocomial in Nature? Abstract accepted presentation 32nd Clin Virology Symposium, Daytona Beach, FL RSV: In Immunocompromised/Suppressed Patients, Why Not Treat? Accepted for publication JOMM March 2017 Recovery of Streptobacillus moniliformis, a GV-PmBdCurvB from clinical Blood Culture sample in aerobic bottle, Flushing, NY, USA” written/presented by Minerva A. Garcia C(ASCP)CM, Hcm, Mcm, et. Al. Presented at the 2017 ASM Microbe Difficulties Encountered in the Isolation of Streptobacillus moniliformis. RSV: in Immunocompromised/Suppressed Patients, Why Not Treat? Presented Abstract accepted presentation 34th Clin Virology Symposium, Palm Beach, Florida 6th May to 9th May 2018 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach, United States of America. Publication Poetry book collections of poems “The Journey of a Rainbow: My Poetic Journal Mind Views”. April 29, 2019. Keynote speaker at Vancouver, Canada presentation of abstracts and a judge at the 7th International Conference & Exhibition in Bacteriology & Antibiotics. Radio Interviews with Ric Bratton in This Week in America November 24, 2020, Kate DelaneyMarch 10, 2021 and Scott Media Strategies in Spotify/Web Talkradio with Mary Lou Davidson- Podcast show at WebTalkradionet “Meet, Minerva A. Garcia, the Poet and Microbiologist”, nominated for 2021 the ASM Award for Early Career Basic Research, 2023 and 2024 presentation of abstracts in Microbiology clinical cases written by Minerva A. Garcia/peer reviewed and accepted and 2024 Mycoplasma pneumoniae presenter and 2025 poster presentation at ASM Microbe, Atlanta, GA.

Contact this candidate