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Med tech remembered for camaraderie Hala Peeler, a medical technologist who worked in the Lab Services Department, died May 27 after an extended illness.   A Charleston native, Peeler began working at MUSC in October 1981. She received her bachelor’s in science in geology from the College of Charleston in 1975. She worked in several areas during her 19 year career at MUSC including cytogentics, hematology, research and flow cytometry before joining the Lab Services Department in 1999. There, she was a cytogenetics technician and culture room trainer for new employees.   A quiet, easygoing individual, coworkers describe her as caring, dependable and patient.   Peeler was the wife of Alfred Peeler of Charleston and is survived by her husband, son, Alfred Jr., and daughter, Caroline.   She will be greatly missed by family and friends. Funeral services for her were held June 1 at the Church of the Holy Communion, downtown Charleston. Memorials in her memory can be made to MUSC Bone Marrow Transplant Unit, 18 Bee Street, Charleston, S.C., 29425. I will always remember Hala as a good-natured and incredibly patient person. At work, she was always a team player and was willing to help out in any way possible. By many she was regarded as the “den mother,” as she cared deeply and genuinely for everyone she knew. Outside of work she was also a great caregiver for her family and friends. Hala was very generous with her time and skill and will be sorely missed by her coworkers and friends. —Denise I. Quigley, Ph.D., Associate director, Clinical Cytogenetics Laboratory Hala was the most patient person I had ever met. She was dedicated and passionate about her work; she knew that her work made a difference in the treatment and care of the patient. She was often recognized by new employees and students for her teaching abilities—she was thorough and patient. Hala would always volunteer for tasks that no one else wanted to do—she did not care what she was doing—as long as it contributed to the success of the laboratory. We will miss her expertise, dedication and gentleness.  —Joyce Foster, Lab Services Department When Hala left the cytogenetics laboratory due to her illness, there was a great void—both technical and spiritual. Her technical experience, consistency and work ethic were unparalleled. But more importantly, her willingness to help others, her ability to train, her willingness to take on jobs that no one else wanted, her positive attitude and her beautiful smile were what made Hala so special. Hala gave so much of herself to serving others. MUSC was blessed to have Hala as an employee and I was lucky to also call her my friend. —Daynna J. Wolff, Ph.D., Director, Clinical Cytogenetics Laboratory Hala trained most of the people that now work in cytogenetics in the techniques and procedures we use. Her meticulousness and knowledge were what made her the best lab technician we have ever had. She could answer any question, and for those of us who did not listen too closely, she would answer them over and over again without fail. Hala would always talk affectionately about her family, especially her children (including her three Bichon dogs)...she was so proud of them...Anytime I see someone eating chicken salad with sesame seeds or shuffling their feet, I will think of Hala. —Jenny Morse, Lab Services Department     Friday, June 9, 2006 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publication at 849-1778, ext. 201.