Earlier this year, UTMB Pathology Administration senior secretary Rebecca Soliz was honored for her 43 years as a member of the UTMB family. She began her career here in August of 1980 as a clerk typist in the physical therapy department. And although life took her away from the institution twice, she always made her way back.
“I worked 10 years then left to have my second baby,” Soliz said. “That baby now also works here at UTMB. Both of my sons work in the Police Department.
“I came back June 1991 and joined Internal Medicine/Endocrinology as a senior secretary, then an administrative secretary,” she added. “I met the most amazing doctors there, then came Ike 17 years later. I was gone one year 11 months but got back as soon as I could. I’ve been here in Pathology Administration now for 13 years. There are wonderful people here too, but then there are wonderful people all over this campus."
Soliz initially was attracted to UTMB because of its small-town, family feel despite being a huge institution. She stays, she said, because of “friends, family and benefits.”
“UTMB teaches you health and family are everything,” she said. “UTMB values its employees and encourages you to be the best you can be. If you would like to advance, there’s continuing education. If you want to try something different, you can still stay in your little UTMB community.
Some highlights Soliz shares from her more than four decades as a UTMB employee? She met Jerry Mathers (TV's 'Beaver' Cleaver) when he visited; she had her name mentioned in some journal articles; and she's enjoyed working with researchers.
“Being here at UTMB," she said, "I wouldn’t have missed this for the world."