November 16, 2022

When did you join UTHealth Houston?  What brought you here?
I joined UTHealth Houston in July 1981.  After working at NASA-Johnson Space Center for 3 years, I came to the Medical Center looking for a career change.  I worked at Methodist Hospital and Memorial Hermann Hospital for a brief period of time before applying to UTHealth Houston.

Tell me about your work history here.
Since the day that I was hired at UTHealth, I’ve worked in the Department of Anesthesiology. I began working as an administrative secretary in the chair’s suite for the department administrator, assisting her with payroll, finances, and budget preparation. I also was responsible for the department’s procurement. Then, I was promoted to residency coordinator II to work with the Residency/Fellowship Training Programs. I’ve had the privilege of working with seven different residency program directors and five different fellowship program directors.

I was also the coordinator for grand rounds and the CME conference coordinator for department sponsored workshops. I’ve had the pleasure of working with five different faculty, helping them to plan and organize their CME meetings. My first meeting was held in January 2000 in Vail, Colo., and the last meeting that I helped organize was in November 2013 at the McGovern Medical School.  All of the meetings were hands-on, which required tons of work, and it was fun. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the team that helped make them all a success.

As the department grew, my role expanded into several different positions, resulting in multiple promotions. I gratefully accepted each challenge to learn something new that would help me advance in my career. I’m blessed to have a director who has mentored me and allowed me an opportunity to grow.

What are you most proud of accomplishing?
I’m proud of my longevity with UTHealth Houston and the Department of Anesthesiology.  I’m dedicated to my job, and I carry myself as the example of what I expect in terms of work ethics from others.  I’ve seen tremendous growth over the years, and I’m proud that I’ve been a part of the changes.  Due to my vast experience and knowledge of the University’s policies and procedures, I’m happy to assist in any way that I can to contribute to the department’s overall success.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
I like the type of work that I do, and I enjoy the people that I work with.  Over the years, I have worked with some amazing people.

Why have you stayed?
I’ve stayed at UTHealth Houston because I enjoy working in the Department of Anesthesiology.  We have an awesome group of faculty and staff.  When I started in Anesthesiology eons ago, LOL, never would I have imagined the opportunities that I’ve had for growth both professionally and personally.

When you are not at work, how do you spend your time?
When I’m not at work, I spend time gardening and reading. I also enjoy spending time with my husband, hanging out with my family, DIY projects and listening to music. Most of all, I love spending time with my beautiful six-month old granddaughter. It’s fun to watch her grow!