Audra Taylor Q & A with

The organization welcomed Audra Taylor late last year as Executive Director, Blood Operations, with South Texas Blood & Tissue.

Taylor, who retired from the U.S. Army last year with the rank of lieutenant colonel, was Division Chief of the Armed Services Blood Program for the Defense Health Agency.

She oversaw a successful rollout of initiatives in information management and technology modernization, strategic communications and marketing, donor recruitment, budget, and contracts for the Department of Defense.

Her work encompassed three service blood programs (U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, and U.S. Air Force), 20 blood donor centers, 60 transfusion services, two whole blood processing laboratories, one blood trans-shipment center, along with blood support detachments and blood product depots.

Here’s a little mora about her:

Where are you from originally?

I am originally from Springfield, Ohio.

How did you wind up in the military?

I attended Howard University on a four-year Army ROTC scholarship. I was commissioned as a 71E (Clinical Laboratory Officer) in the U.S. Army Medical Service Corps in May 1994.

How long did you serve?

I served for 28 Years on active duty in the U.S. Army.

What attracted you to work for South Texas Blood & Tissue?

I have always been aware of South Texas Blood & Tissue. My husband and I have known for several years that we would retire in San Antonio. I knew that if (and when) I started working, I would prefer something “blood -related” and something local, so I started to look at potential opportunities at South Texas Blood & Tissue, just to see what may be available.

So the fact that I really enjoy working in this field, combined with the BioBridge Global/South Texas Blood & Tissue family equals a perfect match!

What are the biggest challenges facing South Texas Blood & Tissue – and the blood banking industry in general?

Three major issues: Continuing challenges with the supply chain; dealing with an aging donor base, growing a more diverse donor base and finding enough donors to support our various programs; and exceeding the growing customer demands. n