Deborah Dixon Honored as OB/GYN’s July
Employee of the Month
With a
beautiful smile and a pleasant personality, Deborah Dixon graces the halls of
the Maternal-Fetal Medicine (MFM) clinic. The sentiment is that she is a staple
in the team - “Like the glue that holds this unit together,” said co-worker
Rebecca Ellison. It is therefore no surprise that she was nominated and chosen
as the OB/GYN July Employee of the Month.Dixon, a Clinical Assistant/Phlebotomist, is a 29-year employee of UAB. She began her employment as a Research Assistant in the Department of Microbiology,a job that she held for 21 years. Interestingly, her connection to OB/GYN ran parallel, as she recruited women from the Obstetrics Complications Clinic (OBCC) for the 15-year, longitudinal study of Gestational Diabetes, which was conducted by Microbiology. Dixon’s work in recruitment and retention “followed” the OBCC from its initial location at the Russell Clinic (basement), to the 1917 Building, Byrd Building, Cooper Green Hospital, and finally to its present location in the 1500 building. Thus, coming to work at the MFM clinic was just a right fit. She absolutely loves her job and co-workers, as well as the patients. The feeling is most definitely mutual.
Ellison commented, “Deborah is a great asset and I don’t know what we would do without her.[She] is professional in her bearing, and a very calming influence. Patients adore her, and she is SO kind to them. She never complains about anything, and always seems to want to make everyone’s experience here, whether it be a patient or an employee, pleasant.” Ellison added, “She always seems to have the (correct) answer for everything, whether it is a question regarding supplies, what lab test needs to be drawn and how to draw it, or pretty much anything else you need to know.” MFM clinic managers and other nurses echo this sentiment.
Jennifer Kelley and Veronica Smoke, Senior Clinic Director and Nurse Clinician respectively, concur that Dixon goes “above and beyond” her job responsibilities to assure that everything is in “working order and that all loose ends are tied up.” They commented that Dixon “is much more than just our Phlebotomist; her attitude and perception on life brighten the faces of patients and staff alike.”
When asked what she liked most about her job, Dixon answered, it’s “feeling like we’re helping somebody.” She is extremely concerned about the health of her patients and their unborn babies, and her greatest joy is a “good outcome to a bad pregnancy.” She is inspired by her patients and co-workers alike, but mostly her parents, who taught her to help people. Dixon said her parents taught their children to “give it your all or you walk away from it.” She lives her life by this principle, but makes it clear that having co-workers who have similar values and support each other, makes it easy to follow this precept.
Dixon was “quite honored and surprised” to be chosen as the Employee of the Month. “I don’t think I do anything special - just what needs to be done,” she said. “To know people value you that much is an awesome feeling.” She added, “I would like to thank Gail [Williams] for hiring me and trusting me with the responsibilities that she’s given me. Also, thanks to Jennifer [Kelley] for continuing that trust.”
Dixon has been married to Fernando Dixon for 30 years. They are the proud parents of Rebecca (36), Amber (18), and three nephews who they reared as their own: Emmanuel (42), Dwight (36), and Emory (30). In Dixon’s spare time, she enjoys being active in her church, reading, sewing, and gardening.
Written by Tongia F. Feagins
“To nominate an outstanding Department of OB/GYN employee for
“OB/GYN Employee of the Month,” please click here and follow the instructions.”
“OB/GYN Employee of the Month,” please click here and follow the instructions.”
