Personal

September 2006

Yes, I am retiring. But only from one job.

Here is the best pictures of our time at the AACC/ASCLS convention in Chicago - maybe one of the best pictures of my career. On the left, you see one of my first students at the University of Wisconsin, back in the 1970s. On the right, you see another one of my students, but from this year, 2006. Both were my students. Both are now working in the laboratory field here in Wisconsin. But can you guess another way these two are related?

That’s right. They literally are related.

Julie and Emily Kepner have both been students of mine. It’s a humbling experience, to have taught both mother and daughter. I hope it says something about what and how we teach at the University of Wisconsin. I hope it shows the strong values of work and ethics here in Wisconsin. But I must admit, it chiefly says something about my age.

At the AACC/ASCLS convention, there was a rumor going around that I had retired. Well, it’s true. In mid-July, I officially retired from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. I am now an emeritus professor.

However, I have not retired from Westgard QC, which has been my “moonlighting” job for nearly fifteen years. In fact, it’s a lucky thing that I retired from the University, because the business of Westgard QC has continued to grow so much - my traveling and consulting in particular - that my “day job” was starting to get in the way. Now that I’m “only” working one job, I hope to have more time to devote to Westgard QC and its books, courses, workshops and other services. So you may actually here more from me, not less. (For some, this will come as a disappointment.)

(I should also admit that I really downsized from three jobs to two, not one. I’m an employee of my wife Joan’s antique business, Pieces of Time. She buys the antiques and I fix, refinish and transport them to our booth at the local antique mall. If you ever travel to Madison, we’d be happy to give you a tour. We expect to be adding new inventory soon.)

There’s a lot I want to say about my time at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The state university system in Wisconsin has been very good to me. But for now, I just want to say I’m thankful I could be a part of the public education system for so long. I’ll write more on this in a future essay.

In the meantime, stay tuned. And if you want to contribute an anecdote to my upcoming retirement party, please feel free to contact us, or add a comment the Westgard blog.

James O. Westgard, PhD, is a professor of pathology and laboratory medicine at the University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison. He also is president of Westgard QC, Inc., (Madison, Wis.) which provides tools, technology, and training for laboratory quality management.