Over the past 40 years, Pamela Hewitt has gathered a wealth of knowledge, developed an ability to be patient, and learned to stay flexible through the many changes that have occurred at UT Southwestern. Her job as a Senior Administrative Assistant has its challenges, but also many rewards, she says.

“You have to be a team player and have a sympathetic ear,” Ms. Hewitt says. “So, being able to teach or show others how to accomplish or learn something is very satisfying.”

Being compassionate and a good listener who is available whenever people need help is also important, she says. Ms. Hewitt’s friendly, approachable personality means co-workers feel comfortable coming to her with any issue or question.

“No matter how busy I am, they know I will stop, give them my full attention, and help solve their dilemma,” she says.

Ms. Hewitt is known to be detail-oriented and dedicated to completing tasks or projects. She thrives on learning new skills and is energized by mastering a new process.

Over the years, she has had plenty of opportunities to be energized by new challenges. Her first UTSW job was as a Unit Secretary at the former St. Paul University Hospital, a position she held for 17 years. From 1997 to 2015, Ms. Hewitt worked as a Staffing Coordinator and in 2016 became a Senior Administrative Assistant. She currently works in Patient Care Services Administration.

Since she joined UT Southwestern in 1980, Ms. Hewitt has seen plenty of changes and always adapted along the way. One of the most significant shifts came in 2015 when she started working in the newly opened William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital.

“The hospital was so big and I did not know my way around,” she says. “The only thing I knew was how to make it from the parking garage to my office on the third floor. One of my co-workers had to take me to the cafeteria because I did not know where it was.” Then came 2020, and Ms. Hewitt faced challenges that she never imagined.

“COVID-19 put a halt on the world as we knew it, and we had to learn a new way of living,” she says. “Through 2020 we had to learn how to be flexible, wear masks, and distance ourselves from family and friends. It was hard on everyone, but thank God we are seeing a decrease in cases and looking forward to the day we will be able to gather again!”

Family and faith are an important part of Ms. Hewitt’s life. Away from her job, she is active in her church and enjoys traveling.

“With my daughters being in the military, my husband and I get to visit wherever they are stationed,” she says. “We went to Italy twice. But, due to COVID-19, we are not able to go to Japan.”