Podcast
#48: Bloodlines: The Connection Between Blood Donation and Patient Health
Duration: 12 Minutes
Jun 18, 2025
In this episode, you'll hear a conversation with transfusion medicine expert Michelle Mullens about how blood donation underpins patient health and the critical role it plays in healthcare. Discover how donated blood is vital not only for trauma care, but also for cancer treatments, chronic illnesses like sickle cell disease, and a wide range of surgeries. The discussion explores the growing challenges of blood supply shortages, the importance of specialized blood types, and how automation in blood banks is helping labs maintain safety and efficiency despite staffing pressures. Learn how each donation makes a difference and why maintaining a robust blood supply is essential for patient care and safety.
Disclaimers:
This educational podcast activity is brought to you by QuidelOrtho Corporation., and is not certified for continuing medical education. QuidelOrtho Corporation sponsors the program, and the speaker must present information following applicable FDA requirements.
About our Speaker:
About our Speaker:
Michelle Mullens
Global Portfolio Marketing Manager for Transfusion Medicine, QuidelOrtho
Before beginning her career on the vendor side with QuidelOrtho, Michelle was a senior medical technologist at Baptist Health, serving in leadership roles in transfusion medicine and immunohematology for nearly 30 years. With QuidelOrtho, Michelle has served as a technical specialist, business development consultant and clinical science liaison before taking on her current role.
Before beginning her career on the vendor side with QuidelOrtho, Michelle was a senior medical technologist at Baptist Health, serving in leadership roles in transfusion medicine and immunohematology for nearly 30 years. With QuidelOrtho, Michelle has served as a technical specialist, business development consultant and clinical science liaison before taking on her current role.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- The essential uses of blood and blood products in healthcare
- The challenges of maintaining a safe and sufficient blood supply
- How automation is helping blood banks and labs manage staffing shortages and improve patient safety
