Betty Tasby

One Christmas Day, Betty Tasby was transporting a patient back to her room and asked if there was anything else she could do. The patient requested butterscotch candy. With a smile, Ms. Tasby let the patient know that she would ask the nurse if it was allowed, and if so, she would bring some back. Later, Ms. Tasby asked the patient if she remembered her – the patient did, but expressed disappointment that she didn’t have her butterscotch. When Ms. Tasby assured the patient that it was in the nurse’s hands, the patient beamed and asked for a hug.

It’s moments like these that earned Ms. Tasby the 2009 Diana and Richard C. Strauss Service Excellence Award, which recognizes employees who exemplify excellent care and service. Receiving the honor is Ms. Tasby’s most rewarding memory at UT Southwestern, which she calls her “home away from home.”

She began working at UTSW as a Housekeeper at the former St. Paul University Hospital. Today, she transports patients for cardiovascular intervention radiology at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. She hopes to be remembered as an outstanding employee who is helpful, a dedicated team player, and someone who cares about patients.

Ms. Tasby sees the future of the Medical Center largely through her own two granddaughters, DeAnna and Brittany, both of whom also work at UT Southwestern. With hard work and willingness to always learn, you can get far in life, she says, and she believes this to be especially true at UT Southwestern – “a place where they can move forward.”

As for her vision for the next 75 years at UTSW, Ms. Tasby sees the institution doubling in size, offering the most advanced technology and remaining a leader among Texas hospitals.

Ms. Tasby says she plans to continue working at UT Southwestern “until I get tired.” She enjoys cooking, shopping, Sunday family dinners, and playing cards. She and her husband of 35 years have two children, five grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren.