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Pam Corley: Housekeeper to UHCS Director

Director Pam Corley’s evolution at University Health Care System can be attributed to her conviction, passion, hard work, and leadership skills. Her mentor, Resident Regional Manager Graham Mitchell, saw Corley’s potential and coached her on the expert management skills necessary to advance her career. Corley, the mother of four boys, started at UHCS in 1992 as a housekeeper and is, in 2008, the director of environmental services. The challenges she encountered while being promoted through the ranks inevitably helped to prepare her for further advancement.

There were several defining moments of Corley’s personal journey; Corley’s advancement was an outcome of her dedication to a work ethic and values that she focused on every day. Looking to her faith for direction, she received the courage to pursue higher-level positions.

According to Corley, she came to work for UHCS housekeeping because she wanted to pray for the sick.

Defining moment #1: “As I cleaned, I noticed that I was surrounded by the people I had come to serve. Soon I was having conversations with them while cleaning and making them smile. I knew then, this job is not just about cleaning, it’s about making a difference in the lives of the people.”

The next 2 years were difficult for Corley, working and raising kids on her own. She experienced trials that her own associates still face every day. When Corley lost her car, she called her manager, not knowing how she was going to juggle everything.

Defining moment #2: “It was like a miracle – he was kind and told me that he’d work with me on it,” she recalled, “That was the break I needed. Understanding that need for compassion prepared me for the role of assistant director.”

When asked to supervise a team of co-workers, Corley encountered what many first-time managers fear when they are promoted within the ranks: challenging people issues.

Managerial courage moment #1: “I knew that I needed to be in charge of that team. This conviction helped me pass that trial.”

A similar experience occurred as Corley was then promoted to Assistant Director. People who had supervised her would now be reporting to Corley. Again, she needed to understand the obstacles in leading people who once lead her.

Managerial courage moment #2: “Compassion, Integrity, Accountability ... demonstrating these values with my supervisors won me their respect and helped form a solid team.”

It was Corley’s own spirit of compassion that inspired the service spirit in her team. “You can’t teach compassion,” Corley reasoned. “You have to model it.” She also felt that it was essential to have a passion for your work. “It says to an individual…I am going to put my heart and soul into it; I am going to make a difference while I’m here.”

Corley began a practice that the team still honors every day: reciting the Crothall Values together each day. “Once they learn the meaning of these words and see them in practice, the Values provide a road map for their decisions. They’ve learned that practicing values like Compassion and Integrity bring a joy like no other.”

“I thank God for a wonderful management team, a team that strives for excellence and is willing to change as business and customer service dictates,” said Corley. “I am also very grateful for the wonderful associates that work diligently every day, making a difference in the lives of others. Each team member and associate works very hard so that we can be recognized as the premier provider."