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A Full-Circle Journey: Mary Jane (MJ) Liu Reflects on 31 Years in Pathology

By Lynn McCain | June 26

MJ 500.pngAfter more than three decades of service, Mary Jane (MJ) Liu, BS, MLS(ASCP), will retire on July 3, closing a remarkable chapter in our department.

Liu’s journey into laboratory medicine spans continents and milestones. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology in the Philippines in 1980 before immigrating to Canada, where she completed her medical laboratory science certification in 1989. Determined to expand her opportunities, she later completed her American certification, paving the way for her move to the United States.

She began her U.S. career at Detroit Medical Center, commuting from Windsor across the Canadian border. It was there she met her future husband, an early sign that both her professional and personal life would be shaped by meaningful connections.

Liu’s path to Michigan Medicine was driven by family and perseverance. While on maternity leave following the birth of her daughter, who required specialized surgery at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, Liu took a chance. While her daughter was in surgery, she sought out the hematology lab, introduced herself to the supervisor, and soon accepted a part-time midnight position. That moment in 1995 marked the start of her 31-year career in the Department of Pathology.

MJ Liu in 2005 as she advanced to a Medical Laboratory Scientist.She quickly transitioned to full-time work and steadily advanced through the ranks. In 2005, she became a senior medical laboratory scientist, and in 2015, she was named supervisor, a role in which she would guide her team through years of transformation and growth.

Throughout her career, Liu was known for her drive to learn and improve. She actively sought mentorship and embraced opportunities to grow, developing a particular passion for quality assurance and process improvement. As one of the first members of the department’s Lean team under Dr. Steve Mandel, she helped implement early workflow improvements and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

“Change is not easy,” she said. “But you cannot improve if you don’t change.”

MJ as she became a supervisor in the lab in 2015.Liu played a key role in major departmental initiatives, including the transition from Beckman Coulter to Sysmex instrumentation, a complex project involving validation, training, and implementation. She also contributed to laboratory consolidations, cancer center operations, and the long-term NCRC project, helping to reimagine how services were delivered while maintaining high standards of patient care.

Equally important to her were the people who shaped her journey. She credits mentorship and learning from past and present management and directors, expressing appreciation for their guidance and support. She also speaks fondly of colleagues like Regina Ferguson, whose energy, organization, positivity, and generosity left a lasting impression.

MJ with the Lean Team: John Perrin, Diana LeBlanc, Ken LePage, Phillipe Sammour, Mike McVickers, MJ Liu, and Marlen Woodruff.“What brought me the most joy was working with people,” she said. “We all had different knowledge and experiences, but we shared the same goal: patient care. I learned from everyone.”

For Liu, the laboratory became more than a workplace; it became a community.

“This was my second home,” she reflected. “We shared good times and hard times. Those experiences stay with you.”

That sense of connection carries through to a meaningful full-circle moment as she retires. The daughter whose surgery brought Liu to Michigan Medicine has now earned a PhD in pharmacology and is beginning her own professional journey. My daughter told me, ‘You’re ending your career, but I’m starting mine,’” Liu shared. “It’s a full-circle moment.”

As she looks ahead, Liu is excited to embrace retirement alongside her husband, who retired several years ago. She plans to travel, spend time outdoors, and enjoy her long-term passion for gardening, a love inspired by her father.

MJ with her Akita Taro.“In the garden, everything feels at peace,” she said. “It’s my quiet place.”

Whether tending her plants, running with her Akita near Hudson Mills, or kayaking along the Huron River - with a stop for cider and donuts along the way – Liu is ready to enjoy a new rhythm of life.

Her advice to colleagues is simple but powerful: stay positive, be kind, and listen.

“Celebrate with people, support them, and always be open to learning,” she said.

As MJ Liu retires, she leaves behind not only a legacy of technical excellence and leadership but also one of compassion, relationships, and a love for learning, qualities that will continue to shape the department for years to come.

 
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