Be Bold and Courageous: Turning an Idea into Innovation

Working in Core Lab means managing a fast-paced environment where multiple analyzers, tests, maintenance requirements and quality control processes are happening around the clock. With so much information to keep track of, Tammie Kovacs, Medical Laboratory Technologist, saw an opportunity to make things easier — and took the initiative to create a solution.

Seeing an Opportunity for Change

The idea for Core Lab Hub came from a simple, everyday challenge. While completing maintenance on an analyzer, Tammie realized she had to confirm information before proceeding with quality control. Since the information had previously been shared over email, she had to stop what she was doing, search through her inbox and find the answer.

“It made me realize how much time could be saved if that information were easier to access,” she recalls.

That moment sparked an idea: what if the Core Lab had one centralized place for important information, rather than having it scattered across emails, notes, word of mouth and other sources?

Embracing the Challenge

With a passion for learning and problem-solving, Tammie designed Core Lab Hub, a centralized tool designed to bring important information together in one place and reduce the time staff spend searching for answers.

“I like learning new things,” she shares. “Thinking of ways to solve a challenge keeps me excited and moving forward.”

A key priority throughout the development process was minimizing user error and making the tool intuitive and reliable. She used Excel to build and automate it and continuously looks for ways to improve its functionality and make it as easy as possible for staff to use.

“I wanted to make sure staff could add information without accidentally changing the underlying database,” she explains.

Core Lab Hub is currently in its pilot stage, with work underway to transition the tool from Excel to SharePoint. The goal is to make the Hub easily accessible from computer desktops, allowing multiple users to access and update information in real time.

“The team has already been introduced to the Excel version, and I’m proud to say that the response has been encouraging,” says Tammie. “I’m hoping to launch the SharePoint version next month and give everyone an updated walkthrough.”

Once launched, the Core Lab Hub will provide a centralized record of issues, maintenance and other important information. This continuity will help staff see what has happened across shifts and identify patterns and trends that may otherwise be difficult to track.

Be Bold. Bring Your Ideas Forward.

For Tammie, the most rewarding part has been seeing the team recognize the value of the idea.

“I’m most proud of the fact that everybody’s looking forward to using it and sees the value the tool brings to the laboratory,” she shares.

At the heart of the project was a simple goal: make the busy work of Core Lab a little easier.

“In the lab, minutes are so precious and you’re always doing something,” she says. “I wanted to reduce the small interruptions that add to the cognitive load that comes with working in such a busy environment.”

When asked what Be Bold and Courageous means to her, she described it as having the confidence to speak up when you see an opportunity to make something better.

“If you have an idea, bring it forward,” she shares. “Don’t be afraid to speak up – you might have something really valuable to contribute to the whole system.”

Core Lab Hub is a great example of where curiosity and creativity can lead. What began as an idea has grown into a tool that can help support the entire team and make day-to-day work a little smoother.

Thank you, Tammie, for demonstrating what Be Bold and Courageous can look like in action — being open to new ideas, exploring what’s possible, and finding opportunities to make a positive difference.

This spotlight is part of our Live the Values campaign, a quarterly callout to recognize TeamBCHS members who are living and exemplifying our 2025-2030 Strategic Plan values.