Terry Harris

It takes a special kind of person to work in the same department at the same organization for 40 years – and Terry Harris is that kind of person.

Her career began as a student nurse in the Postpartum Unit at the former St. Paul University Hospital. Today, she is a Charge Nurse in the Postpartum Unit at William P. Clements Jr. University Hospital. “There was a time that I thought about trying something different, but I’m just so happy,” Ms. Harris says. “This is such a caring and supportive atmosphere, and it warms my heart to say that I’ve worked at UT Southwestern in the same area for 40 years.”

Ms. Harris has seen a lot of changes over the years – from new buildings and new technology to the way postpartum care is handled.

“When I started my career, we didn’t take care of babies in the Postpartum Unit,” she explains. “They slowly worked that into the system, and now we do couplet care – where mothers and newborns remain together during their hospital stay.”

Her compassion for patients earned her the "Spirit of St. Paul" award in 1988, and her tenure has allowed her to see children who were born at St. Paul under her care have their own babies at Clements University Hospital.

When she’s not taking care of other families, she enjoys spending time with her own – her husband of 34 years, Robert, and their three children and five grandchildren. Ms. Harris is an avid traveler who never turns down an opportunity to explore a new location. Alaska is one of her favorite places to visit.

She is also a regular volunteer at her church and a huge Texas Rangers fan whose all-time favorite player is former catcher Jim Sundberg. “When the Rangers first started here, my parents took me and my four sisters. It was just so much fun.” A few years ago, she had the exciting opportunity to receive an autographed jersey right off the back of former Rangers pitcher Derek Holland after winning a game day scratch-off promotion.

While Ms. Harris has plenty of hobbies to keep her busy, she always enjoys returning to work, connecting with her UT Southwestern family and patients.