Julie Heyl, clinical services manager, retires

Julie Heyl, clinical services manager, is retiring on June 3 after 27 years of service to the UNMC College of Dentistry.

What have been some of your favorite parts of your job?

When I started in 1994, I really enjoyed getting to know the students and helping them reach their goals. It’s fun to see it come full circle and see some of those students returning now as faculty! As a supervisor, I’ve worked with many staff and faculty members and made many lasting friendships.

What are some of your favorite memories? 

The staff holiday parties, the holiday buffet that staff and faculty hosted for students during finals week, staff potlucks (I think I see a food theme here?), staff retreats and the fun project work days we had during summer breaks. Many of the now retired staff members were very dedicated and knew how to work hard, but also how to make it fun!

What are some of the most significant changes you’ve seen at the college?

Technology has been of the biggest changes in the past 27 years. I served on the implementation committees when we implemented the GSD software, Salud software and later the Salud Electronic Dental Record. Each implementation was a major change for everyone at the college.

As I cleaned my office recently and recycled mounds of meeting notes, flow charts, training tips, documentation of issues and problem solving, I was reminded how much time and effort was spent to get us where we are today with technology.

How will you be enjoying retirement?

My husband retired from the Lincoln Lancaster County Health Department at the end of April. We purchased a travel trailer and hope to do some traveling and camping. We also have grandchild #6 coming in October and are looking forward to spending more time with all of the kiddos. We both held positions that took a lot of time and energy. After my husband suffered two heart attacks in January, we decided to spend more time with family and do some of the things we’ve talked about for so long.

A parting message for my colleagues:

I am thankful for all of the opportunities I’ve been given at the College of Dentistry. I’ve had some great mentors that helped me grow personally and professionally, and many friends that made my job fun.

I am honored and very proud to have been part of the mission of the college and to have assisted in the education of hundreds of dental hygienists, dentists and specialists. I like to think that we are all making a lasting impact and difference in the lives of these future professionals. I hope others can find that same feeling of accomplishment and reward.