Spotlight’s On: Andy Gonia

an interview with Andy Gonia from Redwood City Blood Center

BCP has many departments and hundreds of employees. Do you know the function of each department? Or the role of many of our staff members? Each month, we’ll spotlight a staff member or department. Last month we interviewed Denise Sobiek, Napa Center’s Head Nurse/Supervisor. This month, we’d like to introduce you to Andy Gonia!

What’s your job title? And what do you do? My current title is Administrative Assistant II and I am responsible for registering each donor who comes to the Redwood City Center.

Describe your typical day at the Redwood City Center. A typical morning for me begins with printing out the daily appointment schedule for the center, checking voicemails from the night or weekend before, as well as updating the donor eligibility calendar and setting up the reaction tray. I also try to sneak in a cup of coffee somewhere in there also. During the day, I am in charge of the storeroom, stocking the canteen, registering donors, and answering the phones.

What do you like best/most about your job? I think the best part of my job is being able to greet the donor as they walk in the door. Being able to see our regular donors and meet new donors really makes the time pass. Getting to know them and their stories is really interesting.

What are the challenges, if any? How do you overcome them? I would say the biggest challenge is the multitude of questions I am asked on the phones. From lost donors looking for directions, to callers asking if we pay for blood and virtually anything else you can think of. I try to find out as much about other aspects of this company so that I can provide the correct answer for all of the questions I am asked.

How long have you worked at BCP? I’ve worked at BCP for over seven years. I started as a Mobile Technician in July of 2002 and also worked as a Hospital Services Driver for a couple of years. I am lucky enough to have been close to every aspect of the blood donation experience. I’ve worked closely with employees in the transportation department, donor collections department, components lab, the reference lab, and the dispensing lab.

Anything else to add? Before I worked here, I never gave too much thought about how hospitals received their blood or the steps involved to process someone’s blood to turn it into a life-saving component. Knowing the work that is involved and meeting the wonderful people who commit their time and donate their blood is a rewarding experience.

Thank you Andy. Keep up the good work!

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