Jan 11, 2019 / Spotlight
Get to Know our SRH Staff: Linda Weatherwax, Administrative Assistant / Program Coordinator, Hand Services
What is your role at the hospital? What do you do on a daily basis?
I support Dr. Oishi, Dr. Stutz and the rest of the hand team. I am also the program coordinator for the six-month Pediatric Upper Extremity Surgery Fellowship and the six-month A.C. and Eleanor M. Garison Fellowship in Hand and Upper Limb. I coordinate and support the rotating hand fellows from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the hand fellows and plastic and reconstructive surgery residents from UTSW Medical School. I also help the Orthopedics department with ordering supplies and submitting expenses in Lawson for upcoming events, etc.
What skills do you need for your job?
I have found that good organization, great communication and computer skills are a must, as well as the ability to multitask. There is no task too small and I try do everything in my power to help where ever it is needed.
What led you to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children? How long have you worked here?
A friend mentioned that she had found the perfect job for me at the hospital and once I met Dr. Carter and Dr. Ezaki, I knew she was right. Dr. Carter told me he was looking for someone to “man the foxholes” and to be the voice for our department. At the end of this January, I will have been here for 16 years with the hand team.
What do you enjoy most about Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children?
I love the fact that every person who works here is appreciated for even the smallest of jobs. We are all here for one purpose and that is to improve the lives of the children and families we serve. This is a wonderful place and I am very proud to be a part of it!
What was your first job? What path did you take to get here?
My very first job was in the U.S. Army, right out of high school. I was a 31M (Multichannel Communications Equipment Operator) and I enjoyed every part of it. I attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, was in Fort Gordon, Georgia for schooling and then stationed in Fort Richardson, Alaska, where I was lucky enough to meet my husband of almost 40 years.
I am very proud to have made it all the way up to the rank of E5- Sergeant before completing my service at the end of three years. After we both completed our Army service, my husband and I moved to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where we both started out working at 7-Eleven stores. I then moved onto a local jewelry store, where I was the head cashier. After that, I worked at a produce company. It was there that I worked my way through being a cancer patient to a cancer survivor - this year will be 30 years cancer free!
I went on to work for a court reporting firm where I learned to manage a busy office and how to do medical transcription. This made our move to Dallas in 1995 much easier. First, I was an executive secretary for an insurance company, then moved onto doing medical transcription. I truly believe that the many jobs I’ve held have all given me the accountability and experience to do a great job at Scottish Rite Hospital!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am a huge reader and absolutely LOVE to sit and read as much as my Kindle can hold. I have read thousands of books over the years! My favorite books are about time travel or along the lines of Lord of the Rings. Anytime I find a well-written series like that, I’m in! Otherwise, I enjoy spending time with family or watching TV with my husband and our two cats. Hopefully this year, we’ll have a great garden as well.
What is your favorite…
I support Dr. Oishi, Dr. Stutz and the rest of the hand team. I am also the program coordinator for the six-month Pediatric Upper Extremity Surgery Fellowship and the six-month A.C. and Eleanor M. Garison Fellowship in Hand and Upper Limb. I coordinate and support the rotating hand fellows from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and the hand fellows and plastic and reconstructive surgery residents from UTSW Medical School. I also help the Orthopedics department with ordering supplies and submitting expenses in Lawson for upcoming events, etc.
What skills do you need for your job?
I have found that good organization, great communication and computer skills are a must, as well as the ability to multitask. There is no task too small and I try do everything in my power to help where ever it is needed.
What led you to Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children? How long have you worked here?
A friend mentioned that she had found the perfect job for me at the hospital and once I met Dr. Carter and Dr. Ezaki, I knew she was right. Dr. Carter told me he was looking for someone to “man the foxholes” and to be the voice for our department. At the end of this January, I will have been here for 16 years with the hand team.
What do you enjoy most about Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children?
I love the fact that every person who works here is appreciated for even the smallest of jobs. We are all here for one purpose and that is to improve the lives of the children and families we serve. This is a wonderful place and I am very proud to be a part of it!
What was your first job? What path did you take to get here?
My very first job was in the U.S. Army, right out of high school. I was a 31M (Multichannel Communications Equipment Operator) and I enjoyed every part of it. I attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, was in Fort Gordon, Georgia for schooling and then stationed in Fort Richardson, Alaska, where I was lucky enough to meet my husband of almost 40 years.
I am very proud to have made it all the way up to the rank of E5- Sergeant before completing my service at the end of three years. After we both completed our Army service, my husband and I moved to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where we both started out working at 7-Eleven stores. I then moved onto a local jewelry store, where I was the head cashier. After that, I worked at a produce company. It was there that I worked my way through being a cancer patient to a cancer survivor - this year will be 30 years cancer free!
I went on to work for a court reporting firm where I learned to manage a busy office and how to do medical transcription. This made our move to Dallas in 1995 much easier. First, I was an executive secretary for an insurance company, then moved onto doing medical transcription. I truly believe that the many jobs I’ve held have all given me the accountability and experience to do a great job at Scottish Rite Hospital!
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I am a huge reader and absolutely LOVE to sit and read as much as my Kindle can hold. I have read thousands of books over the years! My favorite books are about time travel or along the lines of Lord of the Rings. Anytime I find a well-written series like that, I’m in! Otherwise, I enjoy spending time with family or watching TV with my husband and our two cats. Hopefully this year, we’ll have a great garden as well.
What is your favorite…
- Hospital event: Spring to Health Cleanfest
- Food in the cafeteria: Stir fry!
- Place in the hospital: The Hand Service
- Place to travel: Prosper, where our daughter lives
- Type of food: Burgers and fries
- TV show: The Voice!
What did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to raise horses.
What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
Joining the Army was the biggest. Learning to ride a motorcycle and buying my own Harley Davidson motorcycle was definitely a close second!
What’s the last book you read?
I am currently reading the Chaos and Retribution set, by Eric T. Knight.
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