September 22, 2021

When did you join UTHealth? What brought you here?
As I was attending college, I began my employment at a daily newspaper and learned the benefits of daily deadlines. After I graduated from the University of Houston, I began my career as a graphic designer working for several oil industry companies. Then I began working 10 years at St. Joseph Hospital in the Public Relations department, creating publications and illustrations for the hospital. With that exposure to the healthcare industry, I began searching for the opportunity to work at the Texas Medical Center and continue that interest in medical breakthroughs.

When I joined UTHealth in December of 1997, the department called Graphic Communications hired me as a graphic designer, led by Henny van Dijk. The department was composed of designers and photographers, with a heavy emphasis on producing hundreds of slides daily for the faculty to use during their classes and presentations.

Tell me about your work history here.
I continued to work in Graphic Communications and after several years, the department merged with the Communications department of the medical school where Darla Brown was named director of the newly merged department, Office of Communications. The office continued to thrive, growing into other areas such as videography and web design.

I am very proud to be able to say that I have continued creating artwork for the medical school all this time. After several years of working with many friends in the department, I was promoted to Manager, Graphic Services, and been given the privilege to work with and help manage very creative people who work with me daily to maintain and increase the visual presence of McGovern Medical School.

What are you most proud of accomplishing?
Our office has been able to modify, change, and look forward to new opportunities to engage with our clients. There has always been a clear mission of helping our clients (staff, faculty, students, and also outside vendors) to create visual artwork and graphic design to help communicate their needs.

There have been numerous awards that our office has been showered with over the years, but having made lifelong friends with co-workers has been a wonderful benefit of working here for all this time. We spend too much time together in the office to not become close, and it always benefits the institution when you care about those you work with. I am very blessed to have been able to work with some of the best, most caring individuals around.

What do you enjoy most about your work?
The ever-changing landscape of the medical school keeps me going. Of course, the annual events of the school year continue to make things fresh. I think being in the presence of outstanding faculty and staff who are constantly striving to improve our healthcare industry is a positive environment, and I’m proud to be a small part of that endeavor. I want to publicly thank both Darla Brown and Henny van Dijk for being great role models for directors. It makes the office enjoyable when you have great people to work for.

Why have you stayed?
Watching my father work at one company for almost his entire work-life gave me the example that has motivated me to continue working here at the medical school. Along with the help of encouraging employers and motivating co-workers, they have made my time here a joy. I can’t believe it has been over 20 years.

When you are not at work, how do you spend your time?
I have made it a yearly endeavor to travel somewhere because I know that traveling tends to recharge my battery. My favorite place to visit is Cozumel, where sea breezes and snorkeling are a great way to pass the time. I do enjoy painting, reading, and movie watching.

For 40 years I have been a member of the Barbershop Harmony Society, singing tenor in a barbershop chorus or quartet. I have enjoyed this hobby and been able to accomplish several personal goals in that area, from winning two Southwestern District Quartet Competitions to medaling twice at the International Contests. Art and music are a big part of my soul.