Lookin’ at U – Linda Wilkie

Each Thursday, we randomly feature a medical center employee.

This week, we learn more about Linda Wilkie, institutional research analyst/coordinator, office of the vice-chancellor for research.

• Name: Linda M Wilkie
  
• Hometown: Omaha
  
• No. of years at UNMC: 25 this year!

What is your best memory from your time at UNMC?

Linda Wilkie

My only sister was born with Cystic Fibrosis and my family spent many years in and out of UNMC clinics and hospitals with her. Years after my sister had passed from her disease, I was able to invite my mother back to UNMC to listen to a guest speaker talk about the discovery of the genetic markers of CF and the breakthrough in the diagnosis and treatments of that disease. What still moves me today is the number of nurses, coordinators, physicians and researchers who recognized my mother and came up after the talk and asked about her and our family. Such a personal connection so many years later, I can truly say that such caring compassion is what sets UNMC apart.

Our four brand values are leadership, commitment to excellence, working together and being a trusted resource. Pick one and tell us a time you witnessed it embodied at UNMC.

I would have to say that the recent campus sustainability campaign launch was a perfect example of all of our brand values coming together in one room. To see people from all over our campus from every level of the organization responding to the call to make our campus a better place, not only for us to work and our patients to visit but to be good stewards of our state’s resources, was fantastic. But, then again, it was all in a day’s work at UNMC.

List three things people may not know about you.

• I am an avid gardener. I grow and show iris and this year my garden will be on the American Iris Society’s regional tour.
  
• I have recently started exhibiting my photography at a local art gallery – lots of pictures of flowers of course, but I also have fun with scenic and abstract photos as well.
  
• It must be the scientist in me but every plant in my garden is labeled with its own plant tag, which my two cairn terriers do their best to tromp to bits.