Melissa Brown

Melissa Brown is so passionate about the benefits of rehabilitation that she has spent her entire career in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. “Helping people reach their maximum potential in spite of disabilities, and regain a quality of life that may look different but is still good and worthwhile is exciting and very fulfilling,” she says. Ms. Brown, a Department Administrator, hopes to stay in PM&R until she retires. “With our new Chair [Dr. Kathleen Bell], we have a vision and direction to become a substantial force and contributor to the specialty of Physical Medicine nationally,” she says. “I would like to continue and end my career at UT Southwestern as a part of that.” Ms. Brown is active in the music ministry at her church and other Christian organizations. “I love to sing and I particularly love to sing about something I believe in.” She has a daughter, three dogs, and two cats.

Josie Cuento

The coolest job on campus may belong to Refrigeration Foreman Josie “Joe” Cuento, who celebrates 30 years at UT Southwestern as a part of the Facilities Management Utilities Department. Mr. Cuento credits the work environment for keeping him at the Medical Center and says he hopes co-workers find him helpful and understanding. “The working environment here is great,” he says. Mr. Cuento’s objective has always been simple – improve his skills. “My goal is not to be better than anyone else, but to be better than I used to be,” he says. One of the most rewarding aspects of his job is that it “allows me to contribute to investigators’ research by keeping what needs to be cool during experiments,” he says. Mr. Cuento enjoys gardening, fishing, and cooking. He has been married for 33 years and his daughter recently graduated from UT Dallas.

Karen Elmore

In her role as Nurse Manager at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, Karen Elmore has one simple goal – help as many people as possible. Ms. Elmore, who serves at 6 South Obstetrics and the Women’s Resource Center, says she wants to be known as someone who “cares about patients and staff.” Her efforts have not gone unnoticed – she was named a Dallas/Fort Worth Great 100 Nurse in 2014. Ms. Elmore began her career as a 3-11 Charge Nurse in the Emergency Department at St. Paul University Hospital. She says the most rewarding part of working at UT Southwestern is “the many opportunities I have had to grow and learn more.” A native of Toronto, Ms. Elmore’s long-term goal is to “keep improving care on my unit for moms, babies, and staff.” Away from work, Ms. Elmore enjoys spending time with her two sons, mother, two brothers, and three grandchildren.

Dave Gresham

There is speculation that, outside of some health care professionals, Dave Gresham has the best job at UT Southwestern. Mr. Gresham travels the length and breadth of the campus, at all hours, to record the goings on and the faces that participate in those moments. As Chief Medical Photographer in the Office of Communications, Marketing, and Public Affairs, he also took every picture for this special edition of Center Times, which honors longtime employees at the Medical Center. Beyond those who do their jobs every day, he has photographed renowned visitors to the campus, including politicians, scientists, and philanthropists. Best of all, he seems to treat every photo and every subject as important enough to take the time to speak with them and put them at ease. “It was my first time to have such an experience,” one recent subject said to him in an email. “Thank you for making this so enjoyable. I will for sure work harder and publish another good story.” He and his wife, Maureen, have been married 28 years, and have three adult children, four grandchildren and two dogs.

Cynthia Owens

For Cynthia Owens, working as Senior Administrative Assistant in the Information Resources Financial Control Department means processing daily purchase requests, along with checking vouchers, yearly maintenance renewals, and invoices. As she celebrates her 30-year anniversary with UT Southwestern, Ms. Owens wants to be known as someone who “takes pride in my work and who cares about those around me.” Friendly, sensitive, and caring, Ms. Owens began her career in the Purchasing Department. She says her co-workers, excellent benefits, and training have kept her at the Medical Center. Learning to use PeopleSoft, the University’s new financial reporting system, is one of her major accomplishments. Ms. Owens has seven siblings and enjoys singing and teaching classes at her church. She has two daughters and one granddaughter. “I am a God-fearing woman,” she says. “I’m genuine and take pride in what I do for others at UT Southwestern.”

Steven Childs

Arlie Jenkins