A strong partnership between BGSU and Wood County Hospital results in experiential learning opportunities and job offers for students. (BGSU video/Haven Conn '22)

Michael Becker will continue to call Bowling Green home as he works to support the community

By Branden Ferguson

Born and raised in Bowling Green, Ohio, Michael Becker grew up watching how involved Bowling Green State University was within the local community. Looking to pursue a college degree and make a regional impact, Becker chose to pursue a medical laboratory science (MLS) degree at his hometown university. Now approaching graduation, he has plans to stay in Bowling Green.

"The hands-on experiences provided throughout the program have been extremely beneficial," said Becker. "Labs and classes prepare you for future jobs. The program's director constantly communicates with local hospitals, helping to create additional learning opportunities, and alumni are always willing to help."

Becker has already begun making an impact within his community. He currently works as a lab support technician at Wood County Hospital, one of the University's gold-tier partners. Behind the scenes at the hospital, Becker and the MLS technicians test specimens from outpatient facilities in the surrounding area. While helping residents get much-needed results related to their health, Becker also gains necessary hands-on experience.

"Learning in class and learning in an actual lab are entirely different," said Becker. "You can be taught all you want about how labs function and everything is performed, but you don't honestly know until you see it firsthand.

"This assistant job has taught me how a hospital lab runs and helped connect the topics we learned in class to a real patient specimen. Wood County Hospital has done nothing but assist with that."

Hard work paid off for Becker, who accepted a full-time position as a medical laboratory technician at Wood County Hospital after graduation. Becker will join several classmates who were also offered positions immediately after graduation.

Having Wood County Hospital as a committed partner is something that has benefited not only Becker, but almost every MLS student in the program.

"It’s rewarding to see our students gain real-world experience in a facility that values their skills and contributions, and even more meaningful when students choose to stay and serve the community they trained in," said Jessica Bankey, MLS program director and associate clinical professor. "Wood County Hospital has been an incredible partner in supporting our students' education and career development for many years. Their support helps train our students and alleviate some of the MLS shortages that we see in smaller communities."

Offering an unmatched student experience and preparing students for careers of the future, BGSU was recognized by The Wall Street Journal as one of the nation's best colleges for 2025, ranking as the No. 3 public university overall in the U.S. students said they would choose again for their education. BGSU also retained its spot as the No. 1 public university in the Midwest that students said they would choose again.

"BGSU has prepared me for my future in healthcare, providing a sense of security that students will find a job after graduation," Becker said. "The MLS program touts 100% job placement within six months of graduation, and I am proof of that statistic."

As Becker prepares for a full-time role at the hospital, a familiar face has filled his shoes as the next lab support technician at Wood County Hospital.

"My brother and his classmates accepted the same position I held at Wood County Hospital, allowing him and the next class to receive the same amazing experiences as me," Becker said. "It's nice to see MLS students receive support from BGSU, MLS faculty members and community partners like Wood County Hospital."

As things come full circle with the Beckers, Bankey sees their journeys as a program success story.

"It’s incredibly rewarding to see our graduates step directly into careers where they can make an immediate impact in healthcare," said Bankey. "Working with Michael’s brother to follow his academic journey to become a medical laboratory scientist is a testament to the strength of our program and the ongoing cycle of mentorship and opportunity for future students."