Goodbye to Nuclear Medicine Laboratory Manager Marissa Bartlett

We wished Nuclear Medicine Laboratory Manager Marissa Bartlett goodbye in July when she retired after almost 25 years.

During her time at RBWH, Marissa has encouraged, inspired, and led a team of incredibly talented and clever colleagues working in the pharmaceutical laboratory. When asked what she’ll miss the most, Marissa said it will definitely be the people on the team and how fulfilling the work is.

“The work this department does is really valuable, I’m going to miss being part of the work we do here and knowing that I’m contributing to our many amazing achievements,” she said.

“It’s a very patient-focussed department. Having the lab situated to close to patients coming in and out gives the work we do a more human focus, especially for someone like me who thinks very technically.

“Looking back, one of the nicest moments I remember is when a baby in Sydney was very ill and doctors needed a particular compound that’s only created in one of three places in Australia, including RBWH.

“Without this compound, the team in Sydney would have to remove the baby’s entire pancreas, leaving the baby a diabetic for life. With the compound, they could determine if only a small part of the pancreas needed to be removed therefore the baby could live without the condition.

“The whole department pulled together to make this possible. Some came in at around midnight to create and test the compound in time to get it to the airport and flown to Sydney.

“It was a great result! The organ was only partially affected and once the doctors removed this the baby was happy and healthy.”

We wish Marissa all the best, she will be missed!