Infant’s needs started mother on life of international medical service

Not long after Jane Norris graduated from Baylor in 1969 with a degree in medical technology and biology, she learned her infant son had a blood disorder that required multiple transfusions. Thankfully her child recovered, but the experience led Norris into a career as a medical technologist specializing in blood banking.

After years of working in hospitals and at blood centers, in 2005 she joined the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) as a consultant. That role has led to her sharing her skills across the globe. Last summer, she spent time in Liberia helping institute the country’s blood safety program and in Bermuda helping the island’s only hospital prepare for accreditation from AABB. She has had assignments in Canada, been a speaker at a conference in Saudi Arabia, and directed a training workshop for hospital and blood center staff in Qatar. Most recently, she has made two trips to Rwanda to help the country improve the safety of its blood supply.

“Over the years we’ve been married, I have heard Jane praise many, many times the classes and training she received at Baylor,” says her husband, Dr. Roy W. Norris, emeritus professor of English at the University of Cincinnati. “She is one loyal grad, and always credits her professional success to the excellent education she received at [Baylor].”

Sic ’em, Jane!