Return to Main Menu

An MUSC Hero Retiree honored for enthusiasm, thoughtfulness globe by Cindy Abole Public Relations Mornings won’t be the same for patients and staff connected with the sixth floor’s General Clinical Research Center (GCRC). The smile that welcomed patients and greeted staff members daily has retired after 32 years service to the institution. That smile belongs to administrative specialist Jonetta Lee.  Jonetta Lee, right, cuts her retirement cake with the help of GCRC administrative manager, Vickie Wickman, during her retirement celebration April 11. For three decades, Lee has been the rock in a busy environment of research studies, protocols, reports and evaluations. Her positiveness, customer-centered attitude and friendliness have set the mood for a revolving group of patients, researchers, private invest-igators, nursing, laboratory and dietary staffs. “Jonetta is always cheerful, always helpful and the oasis of calm when it’s busy,” said Deborah Brooks, R.N., “Many times our patients need to change appointments at the last minute or show up on the wrong day. Jonetta, or ‘Ms. Flexible’ says ‘no problem’ when I tell her I need to reschedule or register someone. She has a heart for people and has been a fine example for many of us.” A Charleston native, Lee started her career at MUSC in January 1971 where she worked for five years in the Department of Benefits and Records (now Human Resources). She later transferred as administrative support for the Department of Clinical Pharmacology and the GCRC for the past 27 years. “Jonetta is one of the happiest and most balanced people I know, despite the daily challenges and frustrations that discourage many,” said Brent Egan, M.D., professor of medicine and pharma-cology. “We’ve been assured that in this world we will encounter trouble, but Jonetta rises above the daily grind and brightens the day for everyone.”  Even Lee’s calm demeanor and sense of humor goes a long way among friends and colleagues. Within her work area, she’s quietly known as the office’s “go-to” girl—the one who can tackle any task based on her experience, knowledge and network of friends. “She has always been the investi-gator’s friend, helping to achieve the bureaucratically impossible and approaching her responsibilities with good-natured professionalism,” said Tim Garvey, M.D., director of Endocrinology, Diabetes and Medical Genetics. “However, it is her sense of humor that I will always remember. She made me realize not only how therapeutic it is to laugh, but also how therapeutic it is to know and work with her. She’s the best.”  This wife, mother and grandmother who retired April 15, now sets her sights on other horizons. This time, she’ll be providing management support for Quality Touch Janitorial Service in North Charleston. “Jonetta can and has done almost everything in the GCRC,” said L. Lyndon Key, M.D., director of MUSC Children’s Hospital. “She is one of the people who have given warmth and character to the GC RC creating an atmosphere of caring and joy. Maybe we should rename her ‘Joy’netta.”   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 petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.