The Parkland Retirees Organization (PROs) was founded in 2003 to provide the Parkland Health & Hospital System (PHHS) retirees the opportunity to rekindle friendships formed during their PHHS employment years, to keep updated on the retirees benefit programs and security, and to support the hospital. The PROs also promotes the support of the Parkland Foundation, furthering knowledge regarding the hospital future, and encourages retirees to serve as volunteers at PHHS.

Board Officers

The Board Officers, elected annually, are President, Vice President/ President Elect, Secretary, and Treasurer. They are responsible for managing and control of all Parkland Retirees Organization ongoing programs and services. They oversee and communicate updated retirees benefits and their security. The Board has established various committees that review and report on specific programs, projects, and issues. The Committees also make recommendations to the Board.  The Board Officers and Directors meet once a month or as needed to conduct business.

Directors

The Directors shall be for Programs, Membership, Faculties and Planning, Member-at-Large, Past President and two advisors.

A Brief Biography of 2010-2011 Board

Joy Ashcraft, President: I graduated from Florida State University in 1964 with a B.A. degree in Medical Technology. I did my clinical lab. rotation at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Ga. where I worked for 3 years. I came to Parkland in 1968 and worked in the Hematology Lab. until 1971. I went to Germany and worked in a German hospital. I returned to Parkland in 1973 and worked in the Hematology Lab. until 1978 when my son was born at Parkland. He was premature and was in the NNICU for six weeks. He received excellent care. In 1983 I returned to Parkland and again worked in the Hematology Lab. and the Special Coagulation/Bone Marrow Lab. until 2002 when I transferred to the Immunology Lab. as a Section Supervisor. I retired in December, 2007.

Jeanne Wainer, Vice President/President Elect: I was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, I consider myself an adopted Texan having lived in San Antonio, Houston and Dallas for the last 40 years. I graduated from the University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama with a Bachelor of Science Degree. My Medical Technology Internship was done at Lloyd Noland Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. I began my career at Parkland in Pathology Central Facility and joined the newly formed Lab Central in the mid nineties managing front end operations and different technical areas. My last challenge was serving as Lab Central Automation Project Manager. I retired with 23 years service in January 2010 as Assistant Lab Manager, Lab Central. The teamwork and camaraderie within the Parkland System is something I really miss.

Sharon Carlton, Secretary: Born in Detroit, Michigan; attended Florida Southern College. Employed at Parkland in January 1963 as Secretary of the Environmental Service Department. Promoted to Assistant Director, then to Director. Accepted the position of Safety Director, establishing the Safety Management Department with responsibilities for general safety, fire safety, disaster planning, and Workman’ Compensation. Retired in June,2000. Married; 2 children; 7 grandchildren.

Gwen Roof, Treasurer: February 1981 was a turning point in my life. I began my career at Parkland as a float pool nurse in Medicine Services. Shortly thereafter, I became the manager of 6 South and then moved to 9 South South in 1985 when the unit construction was completed. Prior to my retirement in 2007, I was Unit Manager of the Medicine Specialty Clinics. During my years at Parkland, I served on many specialty projects.

Robert Mitcham, Programs Director: I began my career at Parkland in 1977 as a Biomed Tech II in Engineering. Over the course of the years, I became lead man, supervisor, and finally manager, spending a total of almost 33 years at my home away from home. I spent 4 years in the Navy, which taught me a trade in electronics, and ten years working for defense contractors prior to going to work at the Lands. Parkland fulfilled me in so many ways. I was truly rewarded by being fortunate enough to spend the rest of my career there. I retired from Parkland January 12, 2010. I am married, have a wonderful wife, the most amazing daughter and two awesome sons, a daughter in law and grandson who have all blessed me with their presence.

Jimmy Boyer, Membership Director: I grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated from OSU in 1971 with an associate degree in Electronic Technology and a BS in Engineering Technology. I move to Dallas in 1972 because of a job offer. I started working at Parkland in 1980 in the Biomed Lab. in Engineering. Our duties were to make sure the medical monitoring equipment was working correctly and repair them when needed. When I started, there was still some equipment that used Vacuum tubes. When I left, a lot of equipment was highly computerized. I worked on equipment used in the ICUs, OR, Dialysis, general patient care, out patient clinics, PM&R and was involved in new equipment installations. Part of my duties was to develop procedures to check for proper operation of the equipment on an annual basis. I had a lot of job satisfaction because I knew I was providing a service that made the front line medical staff’s job easier. I took early retirement in Dec. of 2010.

Margaret Hervey, Facilities & Planning Direrctor:   While at Parkland I worked on the Surgery and Trauma Units. I was in the Surgical Step-Down ICU for 1 1/2 years and then back to a surgical floor. I transferred to ACC and remained there until I retired in 1992. After retirement, I was with the volunteer services, assigned to the Gift Shop where I was for 2 years until Home Health Care got very busy. I no longer had time for volunteering which I enjoyed very much. I am still working with a Home Care Agency.

Joyce Huebner, Member-at-Large Director: I graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in July 1971, with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medical Technology. I did my clinical laboratory training in the Department of Pathology at West Allis Memorial Hospital (WAMH) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I worked in the Hematology Lab at West Allis Memorial 11 years before going to Saudi Arabia. I worked in the Hematology Laboratory at the King Faisal Special Hospital and Research Centre in Riyadh from 1982-1997. I returned to the U.S.A. in February, 1998 and started working in Lab Central at Parkland Memorial Hospital in March 1998. I transferred to the Special Coagulation/Bone Marrow Laboratory in July, 1998 where I later became the Section Supervisor. I continued to work at PMH until I retired in June, 2010. I had a most enjoyable and satisfying career in Medical Technology. I especially enjoyed working in multi-cultural work environments and traveling.

Anna Robinson, Advisor: I worked at Parkland for 39 plus years as a Polio Nurse, Supervisor of OB-Gyn, and as the Nurse Liaison to Information Systems in various roles until my retirement. I had a wonderful career. The best part was the opportunity to work with so many of you.