[MUSIC PLAYING, DESCRIPTION] The faces of men and women. Text, 85 UT Southwestern employees are celebrating major milestones. UT Southwestern Medical Center. A man and woman sit next to each other.
JEANNE SEITZ: [LAUGHTER] Oh, gosh.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, 25 or more years of service. A man laughs.
ULYSSES JOHNSON: [LAUGHTER]
[MUSIC PLAYING] Blue circles blink off and on. A blue and white badge. Text, Employee Recognition Program
[DESCRIPTION] Text, Gwendolyn Griffin, Surgical Scheduler,45 years
GWENDOLYN GRIFFIN: It’s been a wonderful ride for 45 years.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, How would your coworkers describe you?
Mother hen, since I’m the oldest in the group. Mother hen.
[MUSIC PLAYING] What do you like most about your job?
I like interacting with people. And it’s a lot of telephone work. But you learn to meet people over the phone, learn that voice. You may never meet them in person, but you have a nice conversation with them on the phone. And I enjoy doing that. Now, when I get home, I don’t want to see the phone.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, What will be the future of U.T. Southwestern?
When I grew up here in 1961, St. Paul was the only little place on the hill. But now you come down Harry Hines, and it’s the Medical Center District. And they come in downtown past Inwood to UT Southwest. And I mean, it is just booming.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, 40 years. Jeanne Seitz, Registered Nurse II. Steve Seitz, Medical Technologist.
JEANNE SEITZ: You have to do what you like.
STEVE SEITZ: And I feel that I owe a debt of gratitude to my employer for all that.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, How did your love story begin?
JEANNE SEITZ: We met in high school. I was friends with his sister. And–
STEVE SEITZ: I stole her from my sister.
JEANNE SEITZ: Well, she’ll say that. Yes.
STEVE SEITZ: Yes.
JEANNE SEITZ: But we didn’t start really going out until after high school.
STEVE SEITZ: Yeah. We started going out in groups.
JEANNE SEITZ: Yeah.
STEVE SEITZ: Ballroom dancing– if you can believe it.
JEANNE SEITZ: Loved to do the ballroom dancing.
STEVE SEITZ: And then we sort of gravitated to each other.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, What’s it like to both be working for UT Southwestern?
JEANNE SEITZ: It’s been nice. We’ve worked together. We collaborated back when we were at St. Paul’s.
STEVE SEITZ: We share our experiences with each other all the time. So I have, I believe, a better understanding of the nursing point of view than probably anybody else in the laboratory.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, What do you like most about your jobs?
JEANNE SEITZ: I like being able to talk with the patients. And I love teaching. And I really like making a difference in somebody’s life.
STEVE SEITZ: What I enjoy is the fact that we’re always learning new things. I like to keep up with the science as best I can. And I get a little excited when we come up with new discoveries or new treatments.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, Ulysses Johnson, Superintendent Utilities, 30 years.
ULYSSES JOHNSON: I pride myself on addressing employee needs and a positive work environment.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, What would your colleagues be surprised to know about you?
I used to be a fireman. I finished third in the Academy out of 150.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, What has kept you at U.T. Southwestern for so long?
UT Southwestern is a great place to work. It really is. It’s a great place to work. I want to quote Maya Angelou. She said, “You can meet someone and forget their name. You can go somewhere and forget how to get back there. Or you can see a place and forget the name of it. But you will never ever forget how someone makes you feel.”
[MUSIC PLAYING] Two women hug.
And UT Southwestern is a nurturing environment.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, Ruth Womack, Director, Faculty Affairs and Administration, 25 years.
RUTH WOMACK: I never expected to stay at UT Southwestern so long. But it’s been a wonderful time.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, What is your favorite memory?
I think the strongest one was when I was working for the late Al Gilman, who was dean at the time. And I had the opportunity to actually sit at a table with Dr. Gilman and the other Nobel Laureates. And for me, that was really a highlight. Certainly, I never thought in my life that a country girl like myself would ever have that opportunity.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, What has kept you at U.T. Southwestern for so long?
I love the people. I think that’s what makes UT Southwestern so unique. We have such variety here of people with different experiences. And the opportunity to really interact with different cultures, which is really, really nice. And people who are just truly genuinely caring and want to do a good job.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, Stephanie Voelker, Registered Nurse, 25 years.
STEPHANIE VOELKER: It’s just amazing making the connection. They’re like, you were my nurse, and I’m forever grateful. It makes it worth it.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, What keeps you motivated?
I love that every day, you never know what you’re going to get. It’s 12 hours of adventure.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, What’s your proudest moment at work?
Every patient is really special, but the quintuplets come to mind. We did tons of planning for that delivery. And I remember it like yesterday. Then we got to see her in the NICU and see her babies grow up. And she keeps us posted on how they’re doing.
[DESCRIPTION] Text, How has your family shared in your enthusiasm for UT Southwestern?
Very recently, my parents, who had been divorced for over 40 years, got married at the chapel here at UT Southwestern. And got married on Valentine’s Day this year, which was amazing. And they wanted to make it special. And they asked me where I wanted it. It’s been a real pleasure working here. I can’t imagine working anywhere else.
[DESCRIPTION] The faces of men and women fill the screen. Text, Employee Recognition Program. Thank you for all you do – this week and throughout the year.
[MUSIC FADES]
