Friday, January 28, 2011

"For Me, It's Been My Career"

Pat Green, residency program specialist at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine, will be retiring Jan. 31, 2011, after more than 30 years of service to the university.

Dr. Thomas Montgomery, professor of internal medicine and program director of the internal medicine residency program, said Green’s devotion to USA is unfailing. “She has the personality and the willingness to help people at any time, and everything she does, she does extremely well,” Dr. Montgomery said. “She has special talents and a high level of expertise, and we sure are going to miss her.”

Green came to USA in 1971 as a purchasing clerk at the USA Medical Center. She also served as a medical education coordinator and a secretary to the hospital administrator before taking a leave of absence in 1978 to have her child.

In 1984, Green returned to USA as the residency program specialist. “I always told myself I was not going to come back, but I did,” Green said. “I’m very glad that I did.”

As the residency program specialist in the internal medicine department, Green said she is part of an administrative team, working with the program director and residents on a daily basis. She is responsible for collecting and maintaining resident data to ensure that educational and accreditation requirements are met.

Green said it is her job to support the residents’ education, as well as help them fulfill their role as doctors. “She has made their residencies easier not so much by addressing problems, but rather helping to avoid problems and worries,” Dr. Montgomery said. “She has had such a positive impact on so many people over the years. Former residents continue to show appreciation for what she did for them here.”

“One of the main highlights of my job has been working with the residents and growing with them,” she added. “It’s important to maintain relationships, and I enjoy staying in contact with them after they leave USA.”

Green said her time at USA has been more than rewarding, and it is the people here that she will miss the most. She said she is looking forward to traveling with her family and enjoying some leisure time after her retirement.

“I’ve grown and worked a lot at this job, and it has been very satisfying,” Green said. “Actually, it has been more than a job. For me, it’s been my career.”