Sherri Osborne-Lawrence

Sherri Osborne-Lawrence is dedicated to conducting the best research possible with available resources. As a Senior Research Scientist in the Department of Internal Medicine, she serves as laboratory manager and studies the hormone ghrelin and its role in metabolism, mood, and anxiety. She previously worked on the Human Genome Project and the positional cloning of the gene BRCA1. She began at UTSW in 1987 as a Research Associate in Rheumatology. Great benefits, the satisfaction of helping others through her research, and the endless learning environment have kept her on campus for 30 years. “I am proud of UT Southwestern: its growth and commitment to health care and research,” she says. Her favorite memories include the North Campus groundbreaking ceremony and moving into the first lab on North Campus. Co-workers describe her as quiet, organized, hardworking, and honest. Away from the lab, Ms. Osborne-Lawrence enjoys exercise, photography, travel, and – above all else – her family. “No one ever sits on their deathbed and regrets not working hard enough,” she says. “They regret not spending quality time with family and/or friends.” Her vision for UTSW in the next 75 years: “Growing into a world-renowned medical and research organization.”

Reynaldo Ray

As Assistant Nurse Manager for a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, Reynaldo Ray is adept at juggling multiple and complex tasks. In assisting the NICU manager, he maintains the unit’s Kronos timekeeping system and employee files, participates in special unit projects, handles the staff schedule, and helps with annual employee evaluations. Though co-workers might describe him as a “prankster,” he does have a serious side, and he’s proud that when he instituted a change in how the staff cared for central line catheters, the central line-associated bloodstream infection rate went from the 30th percentile to zero for the next three years. Needless to say, he’s come a long way from his first UTSW job as a Staff Nurse in 1987. Away from work, Mr. Ray enjoys building and renovating. He and his wife, Connie, have four grown children and five grandchildren. He believes over its next 75 years, UT Southwestern will become world-renowned.

Priyarama Sen

Priyarama Sen credits the friendly work environment and wonderful support structures for her 30-year tenure at UT Southwestern. “I feel genuinely appreciated and our teamwork is excellent,” she says. “All my co-workers and my supervisor are so nice and funny that I look forward to coming to work every day.” Ms. Sen began working at UTSW in 1984 as a Senior Clerk in the Department of Microbiology. Now as an Administrative Coordinator in the UT Southwestern Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, she is responsible for program administration of the Cancer Biology and Integrative Biology Graduate Programs as well as the Mechanisms of Disease and Translational Science Graduate Track. Co-workers describe her as focused, loyal, kind, intelligent, and compassionate. Away from work, Ms. Sen enjoys reading, traveling, and music. Her husband, Anjan Sen, is retired, and her son, Sreejon Sen, is a software engineer for General Motors in Austin. Ms. Sen expects that within the next 75 years, UT Southwestern will become the No. 1 research institution in the nation.

Victor Stastny

Victor Stastny’s UT Southwestern connection dates back to 1976 when he helped in the lab of the late Dr. Donald Capra, an international leader in immunology. “Being a member of Dr. Capra’s lab during my high school summers and working under several of Don’s graduate students opened my eyes to the beauty of science,” he says. A molecular biology bench scientist with a background in primary tissue and cell culture, Mr. Stastny is a Research Scientist in the Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research. He attributes his 30-year UTSW longevity to his relationships with great co-workers, the University’s atmosphere of innovation and creativity, and the pursuit and fulfillment of research goals that serve science and medicine. Co-workers might be surprised to learn that Mr. Stastny worked for a year at the Sinica Institute – an academic institution in Taiwan – and that his wife is Chinese. He enjoys mountain biking, windsurfing, snowboarding, and growing vegetables. For the next 75 years, he says, “I envision UT Southwestern strengthening its position as the premier academic medical center in the Southwest and continuing its tradition of attracting and fostering creative, talented people.”

Sherry Taylor

When Sherry Taylor began working at UT Southwestern, she learned the value of great co-workers. “I was hired at the former St. Paul University Hospital when I was young. I was mentored and groomed by excellent nurses and leaders. I’ve been at UTSW long enough to pay that back many times,” she says. “I count that as a blessing.” Today, as a Business Analyst Architect Lead in Information Resources Electronic Medical Records, Mrs. Taylor serves as a software support analyst for Epic OpTime, Epic Systems’ operating room (OR) module. She also was part of the team that implemented electronic medical records (EMRs) at UTSW. “I enjoy serving the OR staff and working with their leadership,” she says. Outside of work, Mrs. Taylor loves spending time with family and serving and worshiping at their community church. Married for 33 years, she and her husband have three daughters and eight grandchildren. As for the future of UT Southwestern: “I’ve seen so much change in just 30 years,” she says, “in the next 75 years I would imagine that UTSW would still be at the leading edge of the current health care trend, whatever that might be.”

To Thai

To Thai’s job is his passion – so much so that he is often the last to leave work. “I absolutely love the people I work with, and I love what I do,” he says. “This is one of the best places to work. The community is great and everyone is helpful when you need assistance.” First hired as a Research Technician in 1987, Mr. Thai is now a Research Scientist in the Department of Psychiatry, with responsibilities that include conducting experiments in molecular biology and tabulating data for publication. Co-workers describe him as nice, trustworthy, and hardworking. “I never leave the office early,” he admits. Away from the research lab, Mr. Thai enjoys volunteering for the Vietnamese-American Community of Greater Dallas – serving two terms as President from 2004 to 2010 – and Toys for Tots. He always advises members of the Vietnamese-American group to choose a doctor with a degree from UTSW “because they are the best M.D.s in town.” He and his wife, a software developer, have two daughters and a son. Mr. Thai’s vision for the next 75 years: “UT Southwestern will be an international leader in numerous health care fields.”

Angelique Whorton

Angelique Whorton is thankful for the many lifelong friendships she has made during her 30-year tenure at UT Southwestern. She began working in the Department of Neurosurgery in 1987, under the direction of Dr. Duke Samson, and today works as Senior Administrative Associate in the Hamon Center for Therapeutic Oncology Research. Her current job involves handling human resources-related matters. “I’ve pretty much grown up here – and one never quits learning while at UT Southwestern,” she says. “It keeps things interesting.” Co-workers describe Ms. Whorton as free-spirited and nice to everyone. She hopes to be known for her compassion, empathy, and trustworthiness. Among her everyday passions, she works to get in her daily exercise in the form of 10,000 steps. “This takes up a lot of time,” she notes. Ms. Whorton also maintains her court-reporting license. Outside of work, she gets together often with her friends and family, and especially enjoys her grandchildren. Among her favorite vacation destinations are the beach and parts of New Mexico. “I love the big sky of New Mexico and everything the Land of Enchantment offers,” she adds. “I can see myself there one day.”

Norma Williams

First hired at UT Southwestern as a Medical Technologist, Norma Williams was instrumental in the startup of the Zale Lipshy University Hospital lab. During those early years, she co-authored cardiology abstracts and posters related to the protein troponin, subtypes of which indicate heart damage. Ms. Williams credits her UT Southwestern longevity to opportunities to expand her knowledge and work experience, plus the friendships she built along the way. Currently, she is a Business Analyst/Architect Lead in the Health System Information Resources Department and the Technical Lead Analyst for the Quality and Testing Team. “I guide the team’s testing to improve the delivery of application solutions across campus,” she says. A true team player, Ms. Williams goes the extra mile to support co-workers and ensure the success of her colleagues. Her accolades include the Star Quality Exceptional Performance Award, Employee of the Month honors, the Laboratory Performance Improvement Award, three Divisional Achievement Awards, and a PACT recognition. Away from work, she enjoys traveling to unique places.

Valerie Wine

Family is important to Valerie Wine. A native of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, she was No. 6 out of 13 children. In addition to her eight brothers and four sisters, Ms. Wine’s family includes a daughter, Torosha; granddaughters Kiosha and Jabria; and great-granddaughters Zhya, Karian, and Zailia. As for her UT Southwestern family, Ms. Wine says she loves her job and the many friends she has made at work. Her first job was in Housekeeping on the fifth floor of the former St. Paul University Hospital. She later moved into a secretarial role – also on the fifth floor. Now serving as a Health Unit Coordinator in the Obstetrics and Gynecology Department of 6 South at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital, she answers phones and call lights, stocks and orders supplies, and breaks down and puts together charts. Co-workers know her as hardworking, respectful, and helpful. Away from work, Ms. Wine enjoys movies, shopping, and riding around. In the next 75 years, she expects UT Southwestern to continue growing bigger.