Glen and Michael Ganucheau worked alongside each other as medical technologists in the lab at Ochsner Medical Complex – River Parishes for years. And even though Glen recently retired and Michael took his place, the two will still be seeing plenty of each other. After all, they are father and son.
“It’s been such a pleasure working with my son,” Glen said. “It’s not every day you can say that you’ve grown your replacement. Not only did I make my own replacement, but I gave him all of my tips and tricks and made him an ace tech right from the start … it made for a guilt-free exit. I’ve enjoyed my time at Ochsner and I know my son will carry on my legacy.”
Glen worked as a med tech for 42 years, with 15 of those years being with Ochsner. Glen and Michael worked alongside each other at St. Charles Parish Hospital for four years.
Michael said that from a young age he was drawn to the medical field, and that he enjoyed the time he would spend with his father at work when he would see his school science lessons come to life in labs and through hands-on experience.
“I really loved science,” Michael said of his school years growing up. “I always knew I wanted to go into medicine. I’m so much like my dad that it was really a no-brainer to go into the med tech field.”
Michael said getting the chance to work alongside his father was both a dream – and a joke – come true.
“It was always kind of a joke between us,” Michael said. “Dad loved his job so much he would say, ‘I wish I could give you this job when I retire.’ As he as leaving, a day position opened up and he was telling me how great of an environment it was, and I jumped on it.”
The time the two spent working together, they each said, was special.
“It was really a nice experience to walk into to the lab and see him,” Michael said. “I’ve always wanted to be my dad and I’ve always tried to be as good as him and to be able to work as peers in the medical field is really special. I really take a lot of pride in that and I know he does too. He would tell anybody, ‘Have you met my son? Have you met Michael?’ He was so proud. I’m so glad I was able to give him that.”
Glen chuckled as he listed to his son’s words.
“Guilty as charged,” Glen said.
“The bond me and my dad have is really special and just the fact that we get to talk about our profession together is really special to me,” Michael said. “It’s a bond me and him have that you don’t see a lot in other fathers and sons. To be able to ask him not just for advice in life but also in my career is just really great. I’m really happy to have such a wealth of knowledge at my fingertips with my dad.”
Glen said so far his retirement has been spent catching up with out-of-state family and loved ones, but that he will miss the people he worked with and the job he was honored to do.
“I loved the front lines …. I loved really helping people,” he said. “To change lives and to save lives …. how can you compare that with anything else?”
And as far as his son taking his place? Glen could barely get the words out.
“My buttons pop,” Glen said as he teared up. “I’m just so proud.”
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