After a few decades working in the old lab, its time to say goodbye.
While its bittersweet leaving St Peters Bender Lab behind, it will be great to move into our new facility at 137 Columbia Turnpike, East Greenbush.
There’s no doubt you read the news that St Peters is exiting the environmental testing niche to further focus on health care and other related industries. We couldn’t be more thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working with all the fine folks we have grown to know over the years!
As mentioned in our previous blog post, we are anticipating a grand opening within the month of October. There is much to do when opening up a new business and moving an entire lab. While we know the laps in testing coverage is an inconvenience, we know our added capabilities and new location will be refreshing for us all.
Please spread the word about our new website, our new contact information, and our new location! Also, wish us luck on a non-eventful laboratory relocation š
This lab has a rich and long history. It started as Bender Hygienic Laboratory around 1898. Then it was a clinical laboratory serving the capital region. It moved a couple of times ending up on 9 Samaritan Drive. While there, the environmental portion of the lab was developed, I believe in the 1970’s. I personally joined the lab in 1983. Strong competition from larger clinical labs caused the lab to announce its closing and the lab was acquired by St. Peter’s about 1998 when they decided the Bender tradition was important enough to carry on in the community. Since then the environmental portion of the lab has been relocated from 9 Samaritan, to the hospital at 315 Manning, to 19 Warehouse Row, which is the current closing location. The lab was so much a part of the community for so long that even today faithful customers from old still refer to us as “Bender Lab” out of habit. With such a rich history as encouragement, current employees of the lab felt the need to continue the tradition, if not the name, and are purchasing the remnant and moving to a new location at 137 Columbia Turnpike in East Greenbush. Though it will no longer be Bender nor St Peter’s Lab, some of the personnel and the friendly tradition will be carried forward. I personally will help launch them and wish them well in their endeavor.
Well said Bill!
As a home inspector, I have relied on this lab for many years. The fact that they will continue to offer their excellent service is very welcome news!! A great strength of the lab is their friendly helpful, knowledgeable people, and hearing that they will continue to be there is also welcome news!!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Wendell! We have enjoyed working with you throughout the years!
I worked from at Bender Laboratory from August of 1992 until it closed at the end of August of 1997. At which St Peter’s Hospital took over. It than became Bender / St Peter’s Lab. Still worked at the original building on Samaritan Dr off of Hackett Blvd in Albany.
I started as the Receptionist. Greeting people as they came in to have blood work to taking phone orders over the phone from Drs office. And answering that never stop ringing phone. Lol. It was very busy and demanding job. But I took pride in it!!
The take over by St Peter’s was very difficult for former Bender Lab employees. Sometimes I had to work at hospital entering lab tests and patient information. I remember the Environmental lab or as we called, the Water Labs upstairs. Testing for E coli and water chemistry.
I’m glad that the Environmental lab is continuing on. It was a great service to the community!
I remember all the people that worked in these labs. Wonderful , friendly people!!!
Bender Laboratory was a icon for many years to the health of the people of Albany. A Treasure!
You cannot find service like this in the medical field any longer!!
I wish all my old and the new, colleagues all the Best in there New Location!!!
A former Bender Laboratory Employee,
Barbara Taaffe. Living now in York, PA.
Thank you, from all the current staff, Barbara! When you’re ever in the area, please stop in for a visit. It would be wonderful to talk š