|
When did you join UTHealth Houston?
I joined UTHealth in February 1998, right after high school. A family friend who worked at UT encouraged me to apply.
Tell us about your work history here.
I began my career as a support specialist at the Dental Branch in the Office of Continuing Education. Fresh out of high school, I was eager to learn and fortunate to have a supervisor, Yvette Haas, who invested her time in sharing her knowledge with me. Initially, my responsibilities included answering phones and taking registrations for various courses we offered. Over the 5 years I worked there, I gained valuable experience that ranged from basic office tasks to creating expense reports. At the time, I didn’t realize how invaluable this experience would be, but it has greatly contributed to my career growth.
I then transferred to the School of Public Health as a senior support specialist, where I processed travel arrangements and coordinated out-of-town meetings. After a couple of years, my supervisor retired, and I was promoted to administrative assistant. In this role, I was responsible for our monthly reconciliations and ensuring we stayed within budget while managing approximately 15 clinical trials. During my time at the School of Public Health, I discovered my passion for numbers. Each position I held served as a stepping stone toward a career path I hadn’t even realized I was building. After 5 years at the School of Public Health, I decided to apply for an opening in the Medical School.
In 2007, I accepted a position at the Medical School under Jeff Scott. I started as a financial analyst, reconciling approximately 50 accounts each month. Within a couple of years, I was promoted to administrative service officer. At that point, I had reached the highest position I could attain without a formal education. This realization led me to decide whether to remain in my current role or pursue a college degree. With Jeff serving as my mentor and working closely with him daily, I recognized that I had no valid excuse not to pursue a college education.
The following years were challenging, but through faith and perseverance, I graduated with a business degree. As I achieved this milestone, new opportunities began to arise. Our department, Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery was expanding, and I was presented with the chance to move into clinical operations. This transition allowed me the privilege of working with Dr. Hazim Safi and the clinical staff.
Over the next decade, our department experienced significant growth. Dr. Hazim Safi retired, and Dr. Anthony Estrera seamlessly took over as chair. Under his leadership, we have continued to expand. My current position enables me to collaborate with many exceptional individuals, including physicians, administrators, and clinical staff. Each of our clinics is unique and thrives because of our dedicated teams.
What are you most proud of accomplishing?
I am proud to have made a positive impact on some of the lives of those around me. I was fortunate to have a great mentor, Jeff Scott, who taught me valuable lessons and instilled in me the confidence to believe in myself. I have achieved more in my career than I ever imagined possible. Throughout the years, I have wanted to support and uplift others just as he did for me. In recent years, I have had the opportunity to serve as a mentor and witnessing their careers grow has been immensely fulfilling.
What do you enjoy most about your work?
I take great satisfaction in knowing that we are positively impacting the lives of our patients. Even though I may not always interact with them directly, I understand that my work behind the scenes plays a vital role in our overall mission of saving lives and educating the next generation of physicians.
Why have you stayed?
I have remained at the university all these years because of the culture and the relationships I have built along the way. I feel a strong sense of loyalty to the institution, as they welcomed me at a young age and provided me with opportunities to grow. The connections I have formed over the years are invaluable. The people I have worked with are not just colleagues; they have become my work family.
When you are not at work, how do you spend your time?
I enjoy spending time with my family and traveling to visit my oldest son. When I have the time, I love driving to Galveston on Saturday mornings. I don’t need a specific reason to go; I simply enjoy the drive and the tranquility that the island brings me.
| 
