30 years: MO-Z

Employee Recognition 2015

Long-term employees play an invaluable role in the life of UT Southwestern Medical Center. Their faithful, dedicated service has helped the institution become what it is today. In this special edition of Center Times, we showcase some of these employees and their varied interests.

 

Thelma Morgan

Thelma Morgan is a Medical Transcriptionist at UT Southwestern, working in Clinical Laboratory Services at Clements University Hospital. Some of her duties include transcribing pathology, cytology, and outside consultation reports, answering phones, and assisting in other areas when called upon. Ms. Morgan says she “loves my job, as well as her co-workers and their concern for patient care.” Her co-workers would describe her as many things, from “amazing and helpful,” to a dependable and spiritual person. She is the proud mother of a son, Jermaine, and a daughter-in-law, Ebony. She also has two grandsons, Marcus and Myles. Some of her hobbies include singing, bowling, collecting roosters, and watching Tyler Perry movies.


 

Jorge Ruedas

In 1984, Jorge Ruedas first worked in the kitchen of St. Paul University Hospital. His current job at UT Southwestern is a highly important one. As a Housekeeping Attendant in the Environmental Service Department at Clements University Hospital, part of Mr. Ruedas’ job is to clean the surgery floor with a scrubbing machine. He enjoys what he does, and appreciates what he has around him. “I like the job,” he says. “[I like] the environment and the generous people we have.” Mr. Ruedas states that his co-workers would describe him as an employee who always listens to his supervisor. Mr. Ruedas says he strives to be someone who is always nice and generous. One of his away-from-work enjoyments is babysitting his grandchildren.


Ramona Sheffield

As a Senior Accounting Clerk in Cash Management Administration, Ramona Sheffield loves being a part of all the changes and the growth of UT Southwestern. She processes lockbox deposits for numerous clients. Ms. Sheffield recalls an important memory, and how it all seems like it was not so long ago. “[My] most rewarding memory was receiving my Five-Year Certificate,” she says. “Time passed by so fast. I could hardly believe it.” She is a comical person who is well loved around the office, but she is also strong willed and thorough on the job. One of her long-term goals is to keep up with the many changes of PeopleSoft. She is a big fan of 1970s classic rock and country music, spoils her nieces, nephews, and their children, and also follows the British Royalty Family tree.


 

Barbara Taylor

A Registered Nurse II, Barbara Taylor works in Labor and Delivery at Clements University Hospital, where she takes care of patients and helps deliver their babies. It is a rewarding job, and she has stayed at UT Southwestern because of “the helpful doctors, nurses, lab technicians, and co-workers” around her. Mrs. Taylor is a helpful and easygoing person who is laid back when she is not on the job. Mrs. Taylor hopes to stay in her department until she retires. She is a proud Christian and likes to walk, read books, and babysit as Grandma in her spare time. She and her husband, Tom, will have been married 25 years in June and have three children and two grandchildren.


 

Carrie Tu

 Carrie Tu is a Registered Nurse Surgical Coordinator at UT Southwestern. Her job at Clements University Hospital is to coordinate the Orthopedics Department in surgery. Ms. Tu has stayed at UT Southwestern because of her “good friends and co-workers.” She would most like to be known as someone who is a valuable resource and who takes good care of her patients. Ms. Tu’s co-workers would describe her as hard working and friendly, and she carries those traits outside of the office. Ms. Tu says people would be surprised to know that she remodels houses in her spare time. Her big passion is shopping. She has a sister and enjoys the company of her dogs. 


 

 Freddy Vidaud

For three decades at UT Southwestern, Freddy Vidaud has worked in the Pathology Department as an Office Assistant. Mr. Vidaud’s duties include preparing outgoing mail for distribution, maintaining equipment, and running errands for the office. As someone who enjoys meeting and helping people, he hopes to continue working at the medical center. Mr. Vidaud says his UT Southwestern job remains fulfilling because of “the people, benefits, and all of the friends I’ve made.” His most rewarding memory was moving from the South Campus to the North Campus where he works now. A surprising fact about Mr. Vidaud is that he had a kidney transplant at UT Southwestern recently. In his spare time, he enjoys traveling, going to movies, bowling, and spending time with his family.


 

Winnetka Walton

For 30 years, Winnetka Walton has worked with numbers at UT Southwestern. Ms. Walton started in the Data Entry Medical Services, Research and Development Plan. Now, as a Senior Payment Application Specialist, she posts billings and works with patient payments, among other duties. Ms. Walton loves to make others laugh, and wants to be known as the employee who has a positive attitude toward life. Similarly, her co-workers describe her as a friendly person who loves to laugh and always smiles. A few things people may be surprised to know about her are that she is very energetic, loves to travel, and loves religious study. When she isn’t working, she enjoys skating, swimming, horseback riding, making pastries, and thrift shopping.


 

Linda Watkins

Linda Watkins helps keep vital research going at the highest levels at UT Southwestern. Mrs. Watkins works as a Senior Grants and Contracts Specialist, managing the numerous grants and contracts for Nobel Laureate Dr. Bruce Beutler and the Center for the Genetics of Host Defense’s staff. Her first job was as a Research Tech II for Dr. Bob Lu in Comparative Medicine, a Division of the Department of Pathology. Her career has included a life-changing experience. In 1985, she met her future husband in one of the Arc rooms in the Harry J. Moss Clinical Science Building. Mrs. Watkins has stayed because of her co-workers and the many friends she has made. She and her husband, David, have a son, Tanner.


 

Robert Webb

As a Maintenance Supervisor in Building Maintenance and Sitewide Services, Robert Webb has a challenging job of managing the electrical department. Mr. Webb started his career at UT Southwestern as an Electrician, and he is confident that he, along with his co-workers, have made a difference in medical research and care. Mr. Webb says co-workers would say he is “fair and professional” and, if you ask him, he would like to be known as someone who treats people with respect. When he isn’t working, Mr. Webb likes doing yard work, going to the movies, and skiing, which he won a bronze medal for in the NASTAR Circuit, the world's largest recreational ski and snowboard race program. He and his wife, Susan, have two children, Ben and Amanda.


 

Ray Wheatley

Ray Wheatley, who first came to UT Southwestern in 1984, is Director for Technology Commercialization in the Office of Technology Development. Mr. Wheatley manages the commercialization of intellectual properties developed here. “The people I work with in our office keep  me here,” he says. “They are all dedicated, hard-working people who strive to do the right thing.” There’s strong confidence in his expertise as well. “While meeting with two investigators, one brought up a very serious problem to consider,” he said. “Before I could answer, the other investigator said, ‘Just do what Ray says and everything will turn out OK!’ I appreciated their confidence.” When he isn’t working, Mr. Wheatley spends time with his wife, Vicki, and their daughter, Claire.