During UTMB's 2023 Employee Service Day celebration, Shalonda Turner was recognized for 35 years with the Health System. Turner, lab supervisor in the Porphyria Lab in the Basic Science Building on the Galveston Campus, began her career at UTMB in 1988 as a cytogenetic technician in the Pediatric Cytogenetics Lab.
Between 1988 and now, she's been a research associate I and II.
The attraction of working on Galveston Island was what first brought Turner to UTMB. But what's kept her here for more than three decades?
"I’ve enjoyed the work and most of the people I’ve worked with," Turner said. "I meet some of the nicest people that turn into family. Some have moved on, but we remained friends."
Turner shares a moment from early in her UTMB career when she got to experience care here as a patient.
"When my son was an infant, he had an appointment in UHC," she said. " I needed to change his diaper, and there were no changing tables in the lady’s restroom.
"After many suggestions from other employees, I decided to reach out to (then) President John Stobo via e-mail explaining my experience as an employee while being a patient," she said. "After a few weeks, I did get a response and changing tables were added to restrooms in UHC."
The responsiveness from the president's office made Turner feel heard and that stuck with her.
For new Health System employees, Turner suggests being a team player, enjoying the work, taking breaks and attending UTMB campus events.
The Health System's dedicated team of employees is a huge reason for its success and reputation for excellence—and one thing she'd like leadership to know is that they’re definitely worth keeping.
If she could send the powers that be a message? Employee retention!
"Make everything possible for ALL positions and employees," she said. "Do regular salary evaluation with competitors so you don’t lose your great employees."