46 Years and Counting

Many might think spending decades at one job would become repetitive or uneventful over time. Not for Doreen Doig. After nearly a half a century with Getinge, she said it never gets old.

“I love my job just as much today as I did when I started 46 years ago,” Doreen said.

Doreen is a Calibration Technician at the Barbour Pond manufacturing site located in Wayne, NJ. She began her career at Meadox Medicals, a medical solutions company originally based in Oakland, NJ, which was acquired over time by Boston Scientific, then Maquet and ultimately Getinge.

She recalled joining the company right after graduating high school. Doreen’s gym teacher approached her with the idea for the job, and you can say the rest is history.

Doreen’s start date was July 11, 1978, and she has been with the company ever since.

“I’ll never forget it because July 11^th is also my father’s birthday. I remember him saying at the time that me finding a job right out of high school was the best birthday present,” she said.

Over the years, Doreen became a jack of all trades, learning one interesting medical device concept to the next. From pressure testing and suturing to heart valves, quality control inspection and microbiology, she ultimately found her niche in calibration.  

“I love working on equipment and calibration is very hands-on,” she said.

Her love of calibration extends to everything in her life.

“A long time ago, we had a policy of get it right the first time, every time. I embraced that concept back then and use it for everything I do, not just calibration,” Doreen said.

Outside of Getinge, Doreen enjoys cooking and spending time with family and her beloved boxer Makenna. She is also an avid Dallas Cowboys fan. Whether she’s teaching her nephew how to barbeque or visiting with a friend, Doreen is surrounded by happiness and people she loves.

“I like to be happy and make other people happy. That’s what it’s all about,” she said.

Doreen said she found long-lasting happiness in calibration with Getinge, but that she never thought her first job out of high school would be her last.

“Back then, I thought it was a job where I’d stay a few months and move on. Over 45 years later, I’m still here. The company has been good, as well as the people, and it doesn’t get much better than that.”

Her years in the medical device industry have come with many changes, as Doreen has seen first-hand everything the company has evolved into, including multiple acquisitions.

“Back in the 1970s, we had dial-up telephones, took computer classes to learn what a computer was, and hand-wrote all of our calibration notes and labels,” she said. “It was tough in the beginning, going from paper to digital, but it has definitely minimized errors and streamlined efficiencies across all business areas.”

Being part of a company with a 120-year legacy and being able to make a difference is what keeps her with Getinge.

“I feel accomplished; I like the people I work with and work for,” she said. “We’re all working together to save lives. That’s what’s really cool.”

Doreen doesn’t count the number of days she’s been with the company, or even how many days she has left before retirement, saying “I haven’t even thought about when I’m leaving.”

She simply loves what she does and who she gets to do it with.

“There’s two parts to why I enjoy going to work at Getinge every day: first, knowing I contribute to the creation of good product by ensuring every piece of equipment is working the way it’s supposed to. Secondly, knowing I’m helping save people’s lives with the team I have, it’s incredible. Everyone works together and the comradery and collaboration goes beyond the calibration team.”