Mario Mayers is deeply rooted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, dating back years ago when it was known as All Children’s Hospital. His dad worked in environmental services for about three decades, his two brothers had orthopaedic surgery at the hospital, and after Mayers graduated from local Lakewood High School in 2007 in St. Petersburg, Florida, he became an All Children’s employee for the summer, working in food service as a utility aide, doing things like cleaning and restocking dishes.

Fast forward to 2022, the St. Petersburg native has come a long way and worked hard to earn his current position as a medical technologist in the Johns Hopkins All Children’s blood bank.

“It was always on my radar to come back to Johns Hopkins All Children’s and it feels great to be here, and now one of the lead trainers,” Mayers says.

Mayers earned his bachelor's degree in biology from the University of South Florida, became board certified with the American Society of Clinical Pathology and completed a medical technologist certification program.

After his training, Mayers went on to help open a specialized blood testing lab in Atlanta, then worked at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. Getting closer to family in Florida was important to him and his wife, who were expecting their first child, a daughter, during the pandemic.

“When I saw the opening here, it was just a no brainer.”

Mayers’ job is an important one and he is proud of the career he has chosen.

“Anytime physicians or practitioners order lab orders when they draw the blood, we're the people that do all the testing and report the results,” Mayers says. “We analyze it, get their blood type and match them with compatible blood products based on their blood pool and make sure it’s safe from viruses like HIV, hepatitis and pathogens of that nature.”

This helps patients who need blood transfusions for surgeries or other conditions, such as cancer or sickle cell disease. It’s a rewarding job for Mayers.

“I am African American and sickle cell is seen predominantly in African Americans and their blood cells are shaped like a crescent moon, which can cause painful clumping in their vessels. Blood transfusions are their treatment and many of the children we take care of at this facility come from the same neighborhoods as me, and representation matters,” Mayers says.

As Mayers comes up on his one-year anniversary at a place near and dear to his heart and family, he reflects.

“Moving back to St. Petersburg and working at this hospital means a lot to me,” Mayers says. “It feels great to be home and be a part of the booming growth that St. Pete is currently experiencing and working in the same community that helped raise me.”