ORNL Employee Beats Cancer, Now Safeguards Isotopes That Fight It

Missy Baird's personal journey inspires her work overseeing records for medical isotope production.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 12:00pm

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A translucent, ghostly X-ray photograph revealing the internal structures and machinery of medical isotope production equipment, conceptually illustrating the complex systems that enable the creation of these life-saving treatments.An X-ray view of the intricate systems that produce the medical isotopes used to treat cancers like the one Missy Baird overcame.Oak Ridge Today

At the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where medical isotopes are produced to treat cancers like the one she battled, Missy Baird's leadership has come full circle: the cancer survivor is now the steward, safeguarding the systems supporting the best hope for the cure. Baird transformed personal adversity into a remarkable 32-year career at ORNL, channeling grit, a love of history, and a talent for building community into lasting impact.

Why it matters

Baird's story highlights how personal experiences can inspire a lifelong commitment to important work. Her leadership in overseeing the records and procedures for ORNL's medical isotope production helps ensure the safe and effective delivery of these critical cancer treatments.

The details

Baird began her career at ORNL in 1994 as a security guard, eventually joining the records management team in 2003. In 2010, she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of breast cancer, but persevered through treatment while earning her associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees. Baird's passion for ORNL's history led her to uncover valuable archival materials, which she now uses to connect the lab's past to its present-day isotope innovations. In 2023, Baird became the group lead for the ISED Document Control and Records Management Group, overseeing procedures and the transition to digital records.

  • Baird began her career at ORNL in 1994.
  • Baird joined the records management team in 2003.
  • Baird was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2010.
  • Baird earned her associate's, bachelor's, and master's degrees while working at ORNL.
  • Baird became the group lead for the ISED Document Control and Records Management Group in 2023.

The players

Missy Baird

A 32-year employee at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where she oversees records and procedures for the production of medical isotopes used to treat cancers.

Michele Baker

Baird's supervisor and the Safety Engineering and Support Section Head at ORNL.

Elizabeth Kirby

A procedure writer on Baird's team at ORNL.

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What they’re saying

“Missy has been instrumental in establishing the process for how we conduct business and for integrating our support into the rest of the directorate, especially as the team incorporated additional procedure writers and expanded support to other ISED divisions.”

— Michele Baker, Safety Engineering and Support Section Head

“Missy is a good manager; she's resilient and full of energy. But what I love most is that she brings fun to the workplace.”

— Elizabeth Kirby, Procedure Writer

The takeaway

Missy Baird's personal journey with cancer has inspired her to dedicate her career to safeguarding the critical medical isotopes that help treat the disease. Her leadership, innovation, and commitment to building community at ORNL demonstrate how individual experiences can shape a lifelong passion for important work.