I am in my 39^th year at the Morehouse School of Medicine (MSM), and in my 15^th year with SHLI.  It has been an “AWESOME” journey!

When you remain at the same workplace for nearly 40 years, it’s more than just a job.  I did not know it at the time, but early on in my career I made a choice to commit to the mission of MSM by helping to educate the next generation of health professionals, serving the underserved, and working with awesome leaders toward eliminating disparities in health and advancing health equity.  There is still much work to be done, and my mantra has always been - Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

In 1982, I started working in the Admissions Office, then moved to the Pathology Department in 1984 where I worked with faculty like Dr. Marjorie Smith and Dr. Sandra Harris-Hooker.  In addition, we had a contract with the Southwest Hospital Laboratory where I transcribed autopsy reports.  Dr. Gerard Verly, Chairman, was also over the Continuing Medical Education Department and that afforded me the opportunity to work with Cheryl Johnson and travel to meetings such as the International Society on Hypertension in Blacks (ISHIB), the National Medical Association (NMA), Georgia State Medical Association (GSMA), and the American Public Health Association (APHA).  In 1999, I began working in the Special Events Division of the President’s Office with Dr. Willie Clemons and Johnetta Hardy and we were supported by Lé Comité – a volunteer group made up of faculty & staff - where we hosted fundraising Galas, Holiday Affairs, Open Houses, and numerous special events – Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

It was in the President’s Office when I started working with Dr. David Satcher.  I feel fortunate to have worked under all six Presidents of MSM.  All with different leadership styles, always making things better, never forgetting what and/or who had gone before, and at the same time charting new paths.  Much like today, the leaders surrounded themselves with the best ideas, the best faculty, the best researchers, and the best staff!  In addition to selecting people with the best credentials, you need people that are committed to the cause, to the mission with an attitude of working together – Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

When Dr. Satcher finished his term as President of MSM and decided to establish SHLI, I followed him.  SHLI is known for its many leadership programs.  One of the most memorable ones for me was the Health Policy Leadership Fellowship directed by Dr. Harry Heiman and supported by Dr. Carey Bayer, Dr. Brian McGregor, Ebony Respress and many others.  The fellowship may have ended, but it is still producing fruit with fellows making a difference all over the world, such as Dr. Alyssa Lee, who serves as the Public Policy Research and Development Director for the Georgia Council on Developmental Disabilities; or Dr. Daniel Vanderende currently in India via CDC to prevent, detect, and respond to healthcare associated infections; or several others, that like me, decided to remain at MSM to further the mission - Dr. Gilberte Bastien, Megan Douglas, JD, Dr. Jammie Hopkins, Dr. Natalie Hernandez – Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

Faith, Family, and Friends have kept me all these years!  I’ve been married for almost 23 years to Milton V. Jones, stepmom to Brian Jones, Councilman in Union City, and Lauren Jones Smith, owner of Lillian Kirkland Photography, proud grandmother of two – 6-year-old Addison and 5-month-old Greyson.  I’m a graduate of Morris Brown College, a Notary, friends for many years with a group of ladies and we refer to ourselves as “Simply Better” and a member of the Hospitality Team at Elizabeth Baptist Church – Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!

I have enjoyed working in the Satcher Health Leadership Institute, and I know under the leadership of Daniel Dawes, JD, that “The Best is Yet to Come” – Teamwork Makes the Dream Work