BLD Alumni and Friends Board of Directors

Cindy Raven, MT(ASCP), CHS(ACHI), (BS ’72)
Board Term: (2024-2027) President 
Cindy (Mero) Raven graduated from Michigan State in 1973 with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology and completed her internship at William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, Michigan. Her work experience includes two years in the Blood Bank at Parkland Hospital, Dallas, Texas; one year as a laboratory generalist at Ingham Medical Center, Lansing, Michigan; and 42 years at Versiti-Michigan (previously known as Michigan Community Blood Centers and Michigan Blood), Grand Rapids, Michigan.  While at Versiti-Michigan she was certified by the American Board of Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics as a Histocompatibility Specialist, CHS(ABHI), and was Director of several laboratories including the Histocompatibility Laboratory, Immunohematology Reference Laboratory, Stem Cell Laboratory, Cord Blood Bank, Component Laboratory, Donor Safety Testing Laboratory and Special Testing Laboratory. Finally, she served as Director of Histocompatibility Operations, Versiti Michigan and Indiana. Recently, she worked remotely for the University of Maryland’s Immunohematology Department as a PRN Technical Specialist. 

Cindy is a member of the American Society for Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (ASHI) where she has served on the ASHI committees of Technologist Affairs, Membership as Chairperson, and Quality and Standards as Chairperson.

Cindy is now retired and, in her spare time, enjoys traveling and spending time with her family. She regularly attends Michigan State football and basketball games and Broadway shows at MSU’s Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Cindy previously served on the BLDAF Board from 2020 to 2023, the last year as President, and is excited about the opportunity to give back to Michigan State by serving on the BLDAF Board once again. Past president: Molly Orluck, (Human Medicine-Medical Technology '79)

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Molly Orluck, (Human Medicine-Medical Technology '79)
Board Term: (2026-2029)
Molly graduated back in 1979 with her degree in Human Medicine-Medical Technology. She completed her internship in Cleveland Ohio and returned to Michigan to begin her career at St John Health. Soon she was promoted to lead technologist while working on her Master of Science Administration. Her career took her to becoming part of the Senior Management Team in creating an IDN out of St John Health System which became part of Ascension Health. This afforded the opportunity to lead Ascension Laboratory Value Analysis and Contracting bringing the 67 hospitals to one voice with standardized contracts and laboratory strategies. After this opportunity Molly joined the DMC University Laboratories. With her team they made operational and transformational change. Molly is now with Labcorp as their Hospital Key Account Executive for the state of Michigan. In her free time, Molly continues to work with the youth at her church. She also enjoys running 5K’s which, she says, provided much direction regarding the laboratory strategy during the start and peak of COVID. 

Ellen Rzepka, (BA '75)
Board Term: (2026-2029)
Ellen Rzepka retired in February of 2023 after 38 years at MSU (35 years with the BLD Program). During her time in BLD, she enjoyed meeting and working with the BLD alumni over the years. Ellen graduated from Communication Arts and Sciences at MSU ('75), but her heart is firmly part of the BLD Program and she joined the BLD Alumni and Friends Board this year. She's looking forward to continuing her connection with BLD through the BLDAF. In her spare time (a lot more now that she's retired) she enjoys traveling, golfing, reading and attending MSU sporting events.

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Steven A. Gustafson, A.A., B.S. D.O., HT(ASCP), FASCP, FCAP, C.S.
Board Term: (2024-2027)
Dr. Steven Gustafson began his career in laboratory medicine after completing a training program in histotechnology. Worked as a phlebotomist and forensic autopsy assistant (Sparrow hospital) during his undergraduate years at MSU. After graduation from the medical technology program in 1989, he went on to Osteopathic Medical School (DMU). His post graduate training began with an AOA, transitional rotating internship (now McLaren Macomb). Residency in anatomic and clinical pathology (UMCK, MO, ECU, NC) followed by several fellowships, notably in hematopathology (MDACC, TX and George Town University, DC) Chemical Pathology (MDACC, TX) and pediatric pathology (Christus Santa Rosa Hospital, UTHSC, TX).

Following fellowship training, he began teaching in Kansas City, at the Osteopathic Medical School (KCU) and is currently an Associate Professor of preclinical sciences, William Carey University Collage of Osteopathic Medicine in Mississippi, teaching in pathology, physical diagnosis, manipulative medicine, and histology courses.

His passion for laboratory medicine has given him an opportunity to lecture to students in medical technology programs, medical students, and physicians around the world, especially in resource poor countries. Current and past research includes HIV, Malaria, Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, and other projects which have resulted in publication / presentation.

He says “The practice of pathology and laboratory medicine is a complex and an integral part of the highest-quality patient care but is somewhat hidden from public view. Well trained laboratory professionals and pathologist are critical to ensuring quality, evidence-based, cost-effective medical care both nationally and internationally. To be part of that team is a privilege.”

On a personal note, his time at MSU provided a solid education and tremendous personal and professional growth, while on a campus that is like no other. I enjoy photography (especially macrophotography of plants and flowers that are so abundant at MSU), cooking, Tae Kwon Do, and mission trips, locally and around the world.

Sharon Jaksa, (BS, '82)
Board Term: (2024-2027)
After earning my B.S. in Medical Technology from Michigan State University and completing my internship at Sparrow Hospital, I began my career at Foote Hospital in Jackson, where I worked in the clinical laboratory and helped update curriculum for medical technology students as an instructor.

I later joined the American Red Cross, starting as a laboratory technologist and advancing through a series of leadership roles. I served as CEO of Blood Services in Michigan, overseeing operations across more than 60 counties, and was promoted to Division Vice President, responsible for onethird of the country and a blood collection goal of more than three million units annually. After 27 years in Biomedical Services, I transitioned to Humanitarian Services as a Division Vice President, leading teams across 15 states in disaster preparedness, response, and recovery. I retired in 2022 and continue to mentor emerging leaders.

MSU prepared me exceptionally well, and I’ve remained deeply connected to the university as a life member of the Alumni Association, a longtime donor and football season ticket holder, and a board member of the Southwest Florida MSU Alumni Group. I’ve also supported the BLD program as an adjunct professor, curriculum contributor, and mentor for students in the Laboratory Operations Master’s Program. For this work, I was honored to receive the BLD Distinguished Alumni Award.

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Munira Mulani, MPH, MT (ASCP)
Board Term: (2026-2029)
Munira Mulani is the Director of Clinical Laboratory Operations at Northwell Health, one of the largest not-for-profit health systems in the United States, where she oversees the Clinical Trials Department and serves on the Institutional Review Board (IRB). With over 15 years of progressive healthcare leadership experience, her expertise spans clinical laboratory operations, quality management, regulatory compliance (CAP, NY State, IRB), and clinical trials governance.

Munira earned her Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology from Michigan State University and completed her clinical internship at St. John's University in New York. She went on to earn her Master's in Public Health Administration from Long Island University while advancing her career at Northwell Health — rising from Manager to Senior Manager to Director. She plans to enroll in Harvard Medical School's Clinical Leadership Program in 2027.

Beyond the laboratory and the boardroom, Munira lives by a principle that is deeply woven into the fabric of who she is: "Seva" — selfless service.

This beautiful tradition of serving others without expectation or anything in return was instilled in her by her parents, and it continues to guide every aspect of her life. Munira serves as a Volunteer Mentor for the Community Health and Wellness (ICHW) Youth Mentorship Program, where she dedicates her time to mentoring and inspiring high school students to dream bigger and reach higher. She also serves as a Volunteer Director of Operations for the Northeast Region at her Jamatkhana (a place of prayer and community gathering), leading with the same grace, dedication, and strategic vision she brings to her professional career.

Nicole Lipnichan - Advisor Specialist, BLDAAF Faculty Liasion, lipnicha@msu.edu

Monique Tumbleson - Administrative Business Professional, BLD Alumni Relations Coordinator, tumbles1@msu.edu

Ella Wardlow - BLDSA president, wardlow4@msu.edu

Sean Tucker - BLDSA vice president, tucke194@msu.edu