The Hidden Team Behind Lifesaving Care and Research

UH Research & Education Institute

Most patients never meet the professionals working in a hospital's Blood Bank or Morgue. Yet these highly skilled teams play a vital role not only in patient care, but also in advancing medical knowledge, training future healthcare professionals and helping address growing workforce needs across healthcare. From supporting emergency transfusions and cancer treatments to conducting autopsies that inform education and research, their impact extends far beyond the bedside.

A recent behind-the-scenes visit by Daniel Simon, MD, President of Academic & External Affairs and Chief Scientific Officer at University Hospitals, offered a closer look at the expertise, compassion and innovation found within two of the health system's most essential and least visible departments. What he discovered was a workforce whose impact spans the entire continuum of care while also helping educate healthcare professionals and advance understanding of disease and treatment.

Solving Medical Mysteries in the Blood Bank

Dr. Simon's visit began at the Blood Bank at UH Cleveland Medical Center, where caregivers test, store and distribute 100 to 150 units of blood each day for hospitalized patients. The department manages a steady flow of lifesaving products, including red blood cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate.

Behind every transfusion is a team of medical laboratory scientists who perform complex testing to ensure blood products are safe and compatible for each patient. Their work includes blood typing, crossmatching and screening for antibodies that could trigger dangerous reactions. The team also investigates transfusion complications and supports surgeries, trauma care, cancer treatment and obstetric emergencies.

"The whole lab is the black box of the hospital," said Laboratory Director Ruth Natali. "Our job is solving mysteries."

Those mysteries often need to be solved quickly. When trauma patients require massive blood transfusions, the Blood Bank supplies emergency products to clinicians caring for critically injured patients, often with little time to spare. The department supports such emergencies on a near-daily basis.

During his tour, Dr. Simon observed specialized testing procedures, verified his own blood type and learned how blood products are prepared for vulnerable populations, including newborns and cancer patients. He left with a deeper appreciation for caregivers whose work directly affects patient outcomes, even though most patients never see them.

Supporting Families Through Loss

While the Blood Bank helps save lives, another team provides care during some of life's most difficult moments.

At UH Cleveland Medical Center's Morgue, a staff of licensed morticians supports families immediately following the death of a loved one. Unlike many hospital settings where multiple departments may share responsibilities after a death, UH's morticians remain involved throughout the process, helping families understand next steps while ensuring their loved ones are treated with dignity and respect.

The department's eight full-time morticians all bring experience as licensed funeral directors. They meet with families soon after a death occurs and provide guidance during a period that can be overwhelming and emotionally challenging. The team also helps ensure proper burial arrangements for individuals who may not have family members available to claim them.

"Having our team involved from start to finish is very unique," said Jessie Ferenczy, MBA, CT, MB (ASCP), Vice President of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. "These professionals are among the unsung heroes of healthcare, combining technical expertise, emotional intelligence and unwavering compassion to honor the lives of those who have passed while supporting the loved ones they leave behind."

Dr. Simon was struck by the depth of experience and empathy required in the role.

"These are individuals who are highly experienced, with a sophisticated understanding of the psychology of dealing with families who have just had major loss," he said.

Advancing Medical Knowledge

The Morgue also serves an important educational and scientific purpose.

The department conducts approximately 100 autopsies each year, helping physicians and families better understand disease processes and causes of death. The work supports medical education as well, with residents participating as part of their clinical training. Cases involving trauma, suspected overdoses and forensic investigations are referred to the county medical examiner.

During conversations with pathologists' assistants and other team members, Dr. Simon saw opportunities for aspiring healthcare professionals interested in anatomy, physiology and pathology. He noted that these roles can provide valuable experience for students considering medical school and other advanced healthcare careers.

Building the Next Generation of Healthcare Professionals

One theme emerged repeatedly throughout the visit: a growing need to strengthen the workforce pipeline for laboratory and pathology professions.

Leaders explained that individuals with backgrounds in biology, chemistry and related sciences can often pursue specialized certification pathways that prepare them for careers in these high-demand fields. For some, these roles serve as a bridge to medical or graduate school. For others, they become rewarding lifelong careers.

"They're being much more creative in the training funnel because they have to be," Dr. Simon said. "The pipeline becomes very critical."

As President of Academic & External Affairs, he sees growing opportunities for colleges, universities and healthcare organizations to work together in building awareness of professions that are essential to patient care but often overlooked by students exploring healthcare careers.

The Caregivers Few Patients Ever Meet

By the end of the day, Dr. Simon had gained a new appreciation for teams that rarely receive public recognition despite their vital role in healthcare.

Whether supplying blood during a lifesaving emergency, advancing medical knowledge through pathology, or guiding families through loss with compassion and professionalism, these caregivers help fulfill University Hospitals' mission every day. Their work may take place behind the scenes, but their impact is felt throughout the patient experience.

"They are so important in the chain of patient care," Dr. Simon said. "They are behind the scenes. They're the shadow warriors."