If Helen Foreman’s career were a tree, then its cross section would show 45 years of growth and layers of meaningful UT Southwestern connections and memories within its tree rings.

Since she started working as an admitting clerk at the former St. Paul University Hospital more than four decades ago, Ms. Foreman has been taking special care of patients. She is now the Lead Bed Control Coordinator at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, responsible for assigning rooms and keeping track of every patient who checks in and out of the hospital system.

“In this position, you are controlling everything that is going on in the hospital and trying to make sure everything is done correctly,” Ms. Foreman says. The ultimate objective of her role: to see the forest for the trees and optimize patient care. She helps with the flow of the clinic by effectively communicating and coordinating among wards, departments, clinical teams, and services outside of the hospital.

With a warm and friendly demeanor, she is proud of the relationships she has built with her colleagues, staff members in various clinicians’ offices, and other departments in the hospital.

“I love working with my co-workers,” she says. “Anytime the people on the floor have a problem, they call me. I’m always willing to lend a helping hand.”

Because she displays immense expertise in her field, others are quick to follow her advice and leadership. Ms. Foreman readily takes on the role of a mentor to those who are new to the team, showing them the ropes.

“I’m a problem solver, and I’m glad that I’m able to help them out,” she says. “I know I would want to be able to pick up the phone and call someone if I were in a situation where I needed help.”

She says the fact that she “loves helping people” is one key to her long-standing success.

Ms. Foreman says the strong interpersonal bonds she has developed throughout her life give her grounding. Outside of the hospital, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her sisters, brothers, and other family members, including her son, Ken; granddaughters, Briana and Kiana; goddaughter, Gabrielle; her special great-nephews, Kor’Dae, Kharami, Marquin, Ayden, and Dallas; her beautiful niece, Daisy; and her very special friend, Leonard.

“Leonard and I love spending time together and travel to different places every year, like Florida and San Diego,” she says.

Ms. Foreman also enjoys attending Mt. Zion Church of God in Christ, where she serves as Public Relations Coordinator and as a Pastor’s Assistant, helping out in the Special Event and Banquet and Anniversary Departments, plus anywhere else she can be of assistance.