An interview with Helen and Alina on friendship within the workplace, by Fiona Farmer BVSc MRCVS
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They say that opposites attract, but in the case of Helen Campbell and Alina Bodnariu similar souls most definitely connect. They work as colleagues at NationWide Laboratories and I was lucky enough to join them for a conversation of work, life and above all; friendship.
I can easily see why Helen and Alina are drawn to each other. Sitting opposite me, two smiling and laughing ladies, extremely humble in their own abilities, but extolling each other’s virtues. I asked what the main attribute they liked in one another was, and unanimously the answer was ‘kindness’. Alina explained that she had read Brene Brown’s teachings on core values, in which you pick two out of 100 different values that resonate with you. The two Alina had picked were kindness and integrity, “It’s not surprising to me that we get on so well. We share the same core values, Helen is very kind, she’s a great friend.”
“We’ve worked together for five years. We work remotely, so aren’t often in the same place at the same time, but we start each day by logging on and checking in with each other. Alina is so thoughtful, so caring and always thinking of others, making sure we’re ok.” It must be so nice to have a genuine friend at work, I asked Alina her thoughts on having Helen in her working life, “I personally believe human connection is a very important thing, at home and at work, when you have friendship, it makes life so much better. I always look forward to the days we work together”
Different pathways to pathology
Helen and Alina journeyed different paths into clinical pathology. Both enjoyed the subject at university, but it was never a predestined goal. Helen had spent five years in mixed and small animal practice, but married to another vet, juggling the pressures of two clinical roles became difficult. “I was thinking about applying for a law conversion course, and that maybe I could work on some health policies, and then I saw the advert for NationWide Laboratories and I’d always liked clinical pathology. I learnt on the job and went through all my exams, and I love it, it’s so interesting. You always see different things which is exciting, it’s also really satisfying when you have cases that read the book too!”
“I personally believe human connection is a very important thing, at home and at work, when you have friendship, it makes life so much better.”
Alina Bodnariu
Alina studied in Bucharest before moving to the U.K working in small animal practice. She then headed north to Edinburgh for her MScs. Coincidently, it was Edinburgh that Helen had graduated from a few years earlier “It’s such a shame our time there didn’t overlap, Helen would have been such a good friend to have had there, but we get to share our love of Edinburgh, it’s such a special place.” Having also enjoyed clinical pathology during vet school, when the opportunity arose to specialise in this field, Alina took it, working for seven years in another lab before joining NationWide Laboratories.
The team working for a patient
The dedication and passion they both have for their jobs is striking, and they both share the same sentiments when I asked them how they feel about their role of working within a wider veterinary team for a patient. They would finish each other’s sentences, nodding along at each other’s opinions “It’s so important to have spent time in practice to do the job we do, it allows you to be more empathetic knowing that the sample is a patient and someone’s loved pet. It also helps to know the pressures that the vets are under and understand what they are dealing with.”
I asked if they felt part of the patient’s team “Yes, absolutely, and being remote from the patient actually allows you to have more perspective, not to get caught up in the emotions, keep your cool and give your best reasoning for the case” explained Alina. Helen added “When you’re in the consult room it can be difficult to take a step back, or you may already have an idea of what you think something will be, our position lets us step back and ask more questions.”
“Enjoy the moment you are in without worrying so much or worrying about the future. Just be yourself and your best is enough.”
Helen Campbell
I wondered what sort of challenges working as a clinical pathologist would have compared to a vet in practice. “Some similar challenges- mainly juggling everything. In practice you have to juggle the pet, the owner and the business. I was always better at looking after the pets than the business though” laughs Helen. She continued “Now it’s about getting through the workload on time to the best standard, I’m a perfectionist! We have some exciting new technologies coming at NationWide Laboratories though, which will really help the whole team in their work.” I pressed her further on the juggling act, a feeling I know is shared by many women worldwide “Oh the juggling – I don’t know about you guys, but I find that I feel like I can never be good enough for any of the roles that I have, but I’m learning to be kinder to myself, and actually, I am, for the number of roles I have, I am doing my best. That’s the message I would give to my younger self – enjoy the moment you are in without worrying so much or worrying about the future. Just be yourself and your best is enough.”
True friendship in the workplace
We spend so much time at work, for many people they spend more time with work colleagues than family and friends. Alina and Helen have found a true friend in the workplace and I was curious as to what that was like “It’s invaluable” they both agreed. “Over the past year we have both had things that have been hard to get through. For me, Alina was amazing, for a start she sent chocolates” Helen laughed before continuing “But seriously she was always there.” Alina continued “And for me, it’s the parenting, we are both mums of small boys and it’s nice to be able to share some of that. Also, as a mum sometimes at work you have things on your mind to do with parenting, and it’s nice to be able to share that with a friend. It helps you get on with your work better, it lifts your spirits!”
Throughout their relationship they have also supported each other professionally and have encouraged one another in progressing at work “We are quite similar, and we give each other confidence at work, such as bringing forward our ideas for changes in the lab.” Alina added “Yes, it’s always nice to have someone to sound out your ideas to before you bring them up publicly!”
One of their greatest combined work achievements was the presentation of the webinar ‘Clinical pathology in cats and dogs and why species, breed and age matter’ with The Webinar Vet. The opportunity was presented to them, but neither fancied the prospect of doing it alone. Alina, inspired by some joint lectures she seen presented at London Vet Show, suggested they did it together. Nerves were high but together they supported one another and both are obviously proud of the webinar, which has been viewed by over 1000 colleagues. “It was scary, I don’t like public speaking, but actually, not being able to see how the audience weas reacting made it harder!” commented Helen. Alina agreed, subtly mentioning that the podcasts they had both done were more up their street “Podcasts fit our personality, it’s just you, the microphone, and no interruptions!” I asked if they would do another webinar, and looking at one another, both replied “Yes, but only together!” Alina expanded thoughtfully, “For me it is fair to say that doing the first webinar with Helen gave me confidence that I could also do it on my own, which is a lovely thing derived from our friendship. And of course it goes without saying that I would repeat the experience with Helen anytime.”
Growing a friendship
Remote working and living in different parts of the country mean Alina and Helen don’t spend lots of physical time together, however this clearly hasn’t stood in the way of their friendship growing. “We call, we WhatsApp and we try really hard to meet up. This summer we had a wonderful time in Oxford, where we brought our kids – who got on great and had loads of fun together. We had a picnic, went to the botanic gardens, it was great.”
They both appreciate the importance of family time at weekends. Helen and her husband have recently opened an orthopaedic referral practice, so time together is valuable, and they enjoy going to gigs “I love live music, I’ll go and see anything!”, as well as spending time with their family on the farm they live on. Alina is a self-confessed bookworm, a passion she has gladly imparted to her son “One Christmas we didn’t have plans so I told my son we could enjoy reading, and now at the weekends he will often ask me “Mummy, can we do some Christmas reading?” it’s special to share that time with him.”
I asked them both to describe themselves in one sentence. They both smiled sheepishly and refused, so I asked them to describe one another. “I can do that” grinned Alina, “Helen is someone I can always rely on, she’s caring and kind, truly a great friend.” Helen happily responded, “Alina is kind, thoughtful, hardworking intelligent and fun!”
I have a feeling these two ladies will continue to have a lot more fun together. It’s a beautiful friendship to witness, of two ambitious and intelligent women supporting and cheerleading one another, armed with chocolates, laughs and respect along the way.
NationWide Laboratories is committed to making a positive impact on animal health by offering innovative products, technology and laboratory services to your veterinary practice. They have been providing a comprehensive range of veterinary diagnostic services since 1983. Their expert teams can assist you in making decisions on relevant testing for companion, exotic and farm animals. They offer full interpretation in a range of testing areas including biochemistry, haematology, cytology, histopathology, endocrinology, microbiology, etc. Their sample collection service is powered by National Veterinary Services.
Email: info@nwlabs.co.uk
Website: https://www.nwlabs.co.uk/
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