A lab tech’s journey from military medic to Mission Cancer + Blood
Get to know Ryan Kamerick
Ryan Kamerick, medical laboratory scientist, at Mission Cancer + Blood, part of UI Health Care, brings his experience as a lab tech across clinics and hospitals — and as a medic in the U.S. military — to a new fight: cancer care. We spoke to him about his role, what makes Mission special, and what inspires him about working with patients with cancer.
Tell us about your career path before Mission Cancer + Blood.
I started my health care career as a combat medic in the U.S. Navy. From there, I earned my Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certification and worked three and a half years as a lab technician in the Navy. I left the military to gain hands-on lab experience in medical clinics and hospitals and to be closer to family in Iowa.
My friend and former colleague told me about the great work Mission is doing, and I was intrigued by the focus and care it gives to patients with cancer. I haven’t personally experienced the effects of cancer myself or within my family, so I wasn’t aware cancer-specific clinics like this existed. I was happy to join the Mission team in May 2025 and see first-hand the positive impact we have on our patients and their families.
Can you share more about your current role?
As an MLS, or lab technician, every day is different and varies depending on my location and shift. We rotate between the four Des Moines area clinics — spending about one to two weeks at a time at each of these locations — and between opening and closing shifts.
If I'm on the opening shift, I will conduct all quality control, calibrate our sample analyzers, and prepare the rest of the phlebotomy team for the day. Throughout the rest of the shift, I make sure all lab work is drawn, resulted, and sent to providers as quickly as possible.
If I’m the closing tech, I come in later and often draw blood alongside the phlebotomists. That’s where we really get to know the patients. Some of them will request a specific lab tech or phlebotomist to draw their blood based on the relationships they’ve built. That doesn’t happen everywhere and shows that we’re having a positive impact throughout every step of the patient care process.
What is the most rewarding part of your role at Mission Cancer + Blood?
The patient connection. Having the opportunity to rotate to all the area locations and interact with so many patients makes every day special. Our patients all have amazing stories to share about their lives.
At a bigger hospital, I may not have seen any patients during my shift, or if I did, I wouldn’t have seen them more than once. At Mission, I can easily take a few extra minutes to listen to a story about a patient’s grandchildren, for example. It brings a smile to my face when they recognize me, and I can only hope I do the same for them.
As cancer rates continue to rise in Iowa, what is your perspective on cancer care in the state?
When I started at Mission, my eyes were opened to the specialized care we provide for our patients. Something that stands out to me within this organization is that no matter the location, provider, or team, everyone at Mission cares deeply for their patients. They truly want to make a difference. This lit a fire in me that I didn’t know I had for lowering the cancer rates in Iowa. We provide outstanding care to Iowans, and leaning into UI Health Care’s resources will only make us stronger.
Having their name next to ours puts the spotlight on Mission. If that gets the word out and lets cancer patients know that we’re here for them, then it’s all worth it.
What is your life like outside of work?
I have four young children, so I spend as much time with them as possible. My older two love sports, and my daughter does gymnastics – she was the 2024 Iowa State Champion for tumbling! Watching them do what they love is one of my favorite pastimes. When I’m not with the kids, you’ll find me watching a movie or sports – preferably Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).