Car accident a good omen for Gold ‘U’ recipient Becky Gilbert

Becky Gilbert had a good feeling about UNMC, even after she was rear-ended on the way home from applying for a job here exactly 17 years ago this week.

There were three inches of snow on the ground as she left the Munroe-Meyer Institute that day, but that was nothing for “a Minnesota girl” like Becky.

Becky Gilbert

But for the car traveling behind her, navigating a vehicle in the snow was more difficult. The driver hit Becky at the intersection of 42nd and Center streets. Thankfully, she wasn’t hurt and eventually made it home OK.

“I took it as an omen and thought something good would come of this,” she said. “Soon after, I was called in for an interview.”

Since her acceptance of the position of programmer/analyst in the patient information office at MMI, she’s done nothing but impress her superiors.

“Becky works tirelessly to improve our human genetics laboratory’s information systems,” said Joanne Johnson, Gilbert’s supervisor. “She is a tremendous asset to MMI — the kind of employee that everyone at UNMC would be delighted to work with.”

For her efforts and excellence, Gilbert received the Chancellor’s Gold ‘U’ Award for the month of January.

Below, we learn more about Gilbert.

Describe your job in laymen terms.

I am a programmer/analyst in the patient information office and assist the human genetics laboratory. My job includes developing and coding new applications, project management and overall software support among other things.

What is your best on-the-job memory?

Most recently, attending the Gold ‘U’ breakfast, when Chancellor (Harold) Maurer described three types of workers: those that are loved, those that are respected and those that are loved and respected. He then said to me, “You are one of the loved and respected.”

What is the best part of your job?

I love the people I work with and strive to make their jobs as painless as possible. I take great pride in the human genetics laboratory, which is at the forefront not only in testing, but with its’ genetics applications. I thank Joanne Johnson for her support, leadership and management, as well as Dr. (Warren) Sanger and Dr. (Mike) Leibowitz.