Pattina Traylor has graced the campus of UT Southwestern with her smile for 35 years. As a Unit Secretary in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), that beam is a much-needed warm welcome for the parents – and babies – who arrive to a Unit constantly flowing with big triumphs and hurdles for tiny warriors.

You can’t find a bigger, better smile or a more welcoming person in the NICU, says Nursing Manager Aziza Young, RN. Pattina knows every parent’s name and every baby’s name. She has such a huge heart.

Pattina Traylor

Her former manager, Karen Elmore, RN, recalls Mrs. Traylor’s “great patient care” and how she is full of compliments for her co-workers.

Mrs. Traylor loves to skate and spend time with her family, especially her mother, whom she considers a best friend. She proudly dotes on her four children – two daughters and two sons – and five grandchildren.

Originally a Patient Care Technician, Mrs. Traylor recalls a comedic moment that she’ll never forget.

I had to do a code pink drill, so they had me ‘kidnap’ a pretend baby from the floor, Mrs. Traylor says. Let me tell you when I found out the police were aware of it, I did not realize I could run that fast down six flights of stairs.