Dr. Margot
Kruskall
Memories of Margot
The decision to dedicate the 2006 MABB Spring Seminar to Dr. Margot Kruskall
needs no explanation. Most of us know her by her life’s work; a tremendous
legacy of accomplishment and contribution to the Blood Bank community. Some
were more fortunate to know Margot on a personal level, and we have assembled
a few of their collected memories to share with everyone.
“I worked with and got to know Dr. Kruskall for five years at BI. The
thing that struck me most about Margot was her humility. Someone like Margot,
who was an expert in her field and who had achieved so much in her lifetime,
never looked down on her staff for asking simple questions. She was always ready
to answer in a way that made us feel like we actually knew something. It takes
a humble person to come across in that way.” —Margaret Leger, President,
MABB
“It’s hard to believe that Margot is no longer here. She was the
laboratory – a big part of its direction, philosophy and mission. I’m
proud to be part of her legacy. During my travels, I’ve had the privilege
to have known and worked with a few famous Blood Bankers. They all possess a
similar trait – that certain spark that ignites others to do better. They
are able to direct an entire lab towards excellence with their presence. Margot
was like that; whether it was running the Transfusion Committee, a seminar at
a hotel on the Commons or morning rounds, Margot turned every experience into
an opportunity to learn and develop. I’m a better serologist because of
her – not because she lectured me, but because I felt compelled to investigate
further. Her spirit guides us every day in the choices we make for patients
and ourselves. Margot, I was blessed to have known you.” —Monique
Mohammed, MS (ASCP), SBB
“I had the privilege of working with Margot for 25 years at Beth Israel;
15 years in adjacent offices. We shared our love of hematology, our work in
laboratory medicine, our three tandem pregnancies, and our parenting and life
experiences. We spoke nearly every day for 15 years and almost always we would
get on to something about our children. Much has already been written about
Margot’s accomplishments, but the legacy I think she would want to leave
is not what she did, but how she did it. What I would like to share is an example
of Margot’s courage ….
'One day as Margot was walking near the hospital, she saw a man collapse on
the street. She immediately ran to his aid. He was not breathing, so she gave
mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to restart his breath, probably saving his life.
HIV had just been identified and in the ensuing weeks she carried the worry
about whether she could have been exposed. This was Margot – courageous,
unfaltering and selfless in her help to this anonymous person.'”
Dr. Justine Carr
From the poem "Remember" by Christina Rossetti, 1849
Yet if you should forget me for a while
And afterwards remember, do not grieve:
For if the darkness and corruption leave
A vestige of the thoughts that once I had,
Better by far you should forget and smile
Than that you should remember and be sad.
In Memory
of Sue Bezanson
It is with deep sadness
that we report the death of one of our MABB and former Board of Directors members,
Susan Eaves Bezanson, on April 3, 2008. Sue was a very respected, trusted member
of the blood bank community. She was well liked and made a deep impression on
those of us fortunate to have known her. Her positive attitude, dedication to
quality, patient safety and other contributions to Transfusion Medicine will
be greatly missed.
Sue obtained her BS in Medical Technology from the University of Vermont. She
started her career at Nantucket Cottage Hospital as the Laboratory Manager/Chief
Technologist. When she moved back to the mainland, she focused her career in
Transfusion Medicine and spent the next several years at Dana Farber Cancer
Institute and Tufts-New England Medical Center. In 1993 she received her SBB
certification from the New England Deaconess Hospital program for Specialists
in Blood Banking. She then became supervisor at Burbank Hospital. In 1994, Sue
accepted the blood bank supervisor position at the Faulkner Hospital and remained
there until her illness forced her into semi-retirement
.
Sue was a very energetic, highly motivated individual who was never content
to do the minimum, whatever the task. After settling into her position at Faulkner,
she became an assessor for the American Association for Blood Banks. Whether
serving as the sole, lead, or a team assessor, she conducted each assessment
with the additional goal of being an educational resource for the hosting facility.
She was always willing to help out her fellow assessors as a last-minute addition
to a team if the national office was having trouble filling an open slot.
Sue joined the MABB and participated in the educational activities offered.
She volunteered to become a member of the Board of Directors and in 2000 became
president. She remained an active member of the board until 2005 and a resource
to board members through 2007.
Contributions can be made to:
Susan G Komen for the Cure
5005 LBJ Fwy,
Ste.250,
Dallas TX 75244
MABB made a donation in Sue's name.
