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An MUSC hero OPM manager praised for loyalty, heart by Cindy Abole Public Relations Cindy Garmon wears several  hats as a supervisor, mentor and friend to the people with whom she’s  come in contact throughout her career at MUSC.      Cindy Garmon   As second-in-command or deputy for the Office of Parking Management (OPM) director Melinda Anderson, Garmon has helped manage her own team and guided other OPM staff in meeting employee, student and guests’ parking needs for more than 26 years.      Anyone who’s ever walked through OPM’s doors would not have missed her bright smile, confident manner and natural charm. Since 1981, she’s worked exclusively with OPM, starting out as an administrative assistant within the small, six-member staff and rising through the ranks. In 2004, she earned a certified administrator of public parking designation by the International Parking Institute and University of Virginia, raising the level of excellence practiced in the department.      A Charleston native, Garmon is a natural problem solver at work and she is poised to handle any situation—from responding to general inquiries, to helping others understand the parking labyrinth around MUSC’s growing campus.   “Cindy has always been helpful and quick to respond and always with an orientation to customer service for Ambulatory Care Services’ patients, visitors and employees,” said Dave Neff, Ambulatory Care administrator. “She has always had a ‘can-do’ attitude and I know when I call her, she will do the right thing. She represents the very best in terms of our organization’s values of accountability, respect, excellence and adaptability. She is truly one of MUSC’s ‘star’ employees and we appreciate all that she does.”      In her role, Garmon has interacted with many individuals and departments within the medical center and university, serving as OPM’s liaison for various situations that include patient, student and staff parking; handicap parking; parking facilities management; and after-hours parking. She contributed to several campus committees and organizations representing OPM with the University Commencement, New Hospital Replacement Plan and MUSC Excellence Finance & Administration’s Reward & Recognition committees. She also was a longtime organizer with the Division of Finance & Administration’s employee holiday party planning team.   “Cindy’s unique ability and insight are invaluable,” said Connie Kelly, OPM fiscal analyst. “Her professionalism is utmost in her mind and how parking management is perceived. She carries her professionalism with her whether she’s serving on various committees or as a representative for OPM’s director. Cindy’s sense of humor and caring attitude has been a staple of our office for 26 years. Her dignity and compassion for everyone she serves should be commended and we are proud to call her our coworker and hero.”      For years, she helped MUSC Student Programs by shepherding students through first- come, first-served waiting lines as part of the campus’ returning student parking registration process. The process eventually evolved to a user-friendly online process that was established during the 2006-2007 academic year.      “Cindy has given outstanding support to the returning student parking registration process,” said Robin Hardin, MUSC Student Programs director. “Cindy and other members of the parking management staff exemplified incredible student service by staying after hours on Friday nights and coming to campus at 4:30 a.m. the next day to manage student parking registration.”      “Cindy’s skill in working with people, her ability to find solutions for difficult situations daily, her tireless efforts on behalf of OPM and for the good of MUSC and her honesty and sense of fair play qualify her as a hero to all of us as well as to the MUSC family, “ said Anderson.   When she’s not solving problems or helping customers, Garmon spends her free time enjoying the things she loves: hobbies such as jewelry making, knitting and other crafts and spending time with family, especially her 6-year-old twin grandsons, Cooper and Owen, and other grandsons Peyton, 5, and Tanner, 1.      “One characteristic that I have learned from Cindy is her loyalty to her job and her family,” said Christine Davidson, Infectious Diseases Division. “She knows the right thing to say at the right time. She had a difficult job but handled it with dignity and was always right with her decision making. Cindy is a true hero in every sense of the word.” “I've worked for Cindy for 13 years and during that time we have forged a friendship as well as a work relationship. She's been there as a mentor, a supervisor, and as a friend in all situations. We've become close... so close that I was asked to be a clown at several birthday parties for her grandchildren. Cindy's part of my family. The Office of Parking Management is not your typical department, we're family!” Debbie Humbert, Parking Management “I've worked with Cindy for the past 12 years and I remember when I first came to work in Parking Management, I was introduced to other employees during their morning staff meeting. Cindy looked at everyone in the room and said, "She's mine." And I've been with her ever since. Not only is she my supervisor, but she's also a good friend.” Brenda Marcelais, Enforcement Supervisor, Office of Parking Management "I've had the pleasure of "working with" Cindy Garmon for more than 19 years at MUSC. Her work ethic has always exemplified MUSC Excellence. She is professional, knowledgeable and possesses outstanding customer service skills. Cindy is a valuable asset to MUSC!" Joyce Oltmann, Administrative assistant, MUSC Chief of Operations Office "Cindy is an incredible person with astonishing charisma, and she is very special to all of us in Parking Management. Her sincere and authentic nature attracts everyone she meets. I admire her strong will and genuine personality." Carrie Hackett, Accounting Unit Manager, Office of Parking Management “The one characteristic that I have learned from Cindy Garmon is her loyalty to her job and her family. She knows the right thing to say at the right time. She had a difficult job and yet handled it with dignity and she was always right with her decisions. Cindy is a true hero in every sense of the word. She is the kind of person we should all strive to be like.” Chris Davidson, Infectious Disease Division “Cindy has been my supervisor for 17 years at Parking Management, but most important she has been my friend. The employees at Parking Management is family. Sure do miss her at the office.” Cathy Roach, Office of Parking Management Editor’s note: At MUSC, heroes abound. They exist in the form of caregivers, faculty, students and staff. The Catalyst’s MUSC Heroes is a column that offers employees and staff the opportunity to recognize MUSC’s everyday heroes. Send an e-mail about your MUSC hero to catalyst@musc.edu.     Friday, Aug. 10, 2007 Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Island Publications at 849-1778, ext. 201.