Hardy Moore’s first day on the job at UAB was June 18, 2001, and he remembers that day very vividly.It’s the only time he has ever worn hard-soled shoes to work.
“I tell everyone the secret to working at UAB is to wear comfortable shoes,” says Moore, an office services specialist two in the Department of Medicine, responsible for delivering departmental mail to and from the chairman’s office and the Internal Medicine Residency Program. “Whether or not you stay in the office eight hours or go from building to building like I do, you will do some walking.”
Walking is a primary function of Moore’s duties. You may see him in the John Whitaker Building, Children’s Hospital, the North Pavilion or any of the divisions in the Department of Medicine — and anywhere in between. Moore rarely misses a day of work, and he performs his tasks efficiently, thoroughly and always with kindness — attributes that make him a worthy selection for April’s Employee of the Month.
Despite the rough first day — “I decided hard-soled shoes weren’t going to cut it” — Moore says he learned quickly how to handle the rigors of walking Southside. Now, he has up to four different pairs of tennis shoes at one time at his disposal. “My rule of thumb is that I never wear the same shoes two days in a row,” he says.
It makes for more comfortable — and productive — days, something Moore’s co-workers say he always achieves.
“Hardy always does his job,” says Lisa Willett, M.D., associate professor of General Internal Medicine and director of the Internal Medicine Residency Program in the Department of Medicine. “He is reliable and dependable. If he hears of any need by anyone, he stops what he is doing and volunteers to help. He knows all the locations of all the offices on campus and will help any resident or faculty find the building or office they need. He puts everyone else’s needs above his; you can always depend on him to get his job done.”
Tammy Pickens, program administrator in the Internal Medicine Residency Program, says Moore’s selflessness is always on display.
| Nominate someone for Employee of the Month Each month, UAB recognizes an outstanding employee for their dedication, hard work and contributions to our success. If you know of a great employee who exemplifies what is best about UAB and would like to nominate them for Employee of the Month, just send at least three letters of nomination using examples and as much detail as possible to lwaldon@uab.edu. Hard-copy nominations can be submitted through campus mail at Employee of the Month Committee, AB 360, 0103. |
“I have literally never heard a negative comment come out of Hardy’s mouth regarding his job,” Pickens says. “On more than one occasion, he has expressed sincere gratitude for his job here and for the opportunity to work in the Department of Medicine chairman’s office. He shows up daily with a smile on his face and ready to go, and he always makes sure that others are taken care of before him.”
In addition to conducting all mail runs for the chairman’s office and the residency program, Moore maintains the mail and filing for more than 130 residents and sets up and cleans up for seven to 10 conferences a week.
It’s not uncommon for up to 400 applicants to interview for a position during the residency program’s interview season, with potential residents interviewing two or three days a week for a three-month period. And while Moore is typically the one arriving early to make the coffee and prepare the interview rooms, it’s a process he enjoys. He likes to make sure each person who interviews has a pleasant experience. Besides, he’s hopeful they will become as much of a part of UAB as previous residents who have come through the program.
“I love working with the residents,” Moore says. “When you see them graduate after three years and leave, it’s not uncommon to see some tears shed because they don’t like leaving. Some of them would like to stay, but it’s fun to get to see them grow up, especially the UAB home-grown students who have gone through medical school here.”
Moore says that sense of family is what makes UAB special to him. Many of the residents who graduate and leave often send photos for major life events, including weddings or the birth of a child. It’s not uncommon to see bulletin boards filled with these and other images and notes, including Christmas cards.
“UAB has always had a family-oriented atmosphere,” Moore says. “Even though you’re working with people of all nationalities, different types of religions and from all over the country, my general attitude is that we’re all trying to go in the same direction and accomplish the same things.”
Moore worked in retail and specifically in the photo processing business for more than 20 years before joining UAB. He also enjoys taking photographs, and has worked weddings in the past.
He still puts his photo talents to use for the Department of Medicine, often volunteering to take pictures at the Faculty Honors Reception and other residency events.
“Hardy does this because he cares about the residency program and wants to capture the fun and excitement on film,” Willett says. “He always uploads these pictures onto our shared drive for all to enjoy.”
Moore says he enjoys the opportunity to bring joy to others with simple gestures. And, he says, his co-workers are certainly worth it.
“I’ve always considered myself a behind-the-scenes type of person,” Moore says. “I’m probably about as exciting as the guy who voices those Motel 6 commercials. I just like to make sure things flow easy. I’m fortunate to work with a great group of people on our house staff like Tammy, Sheila Ferrell, Elizabeth McAlister and Yolanda Horton. And I’m fortunate to get to do what I do. It would be hard for me to stay in an office all day every day. I have a lot of office work I need to do, but I like getting out and going building to building. I like meeting people and feeling like I’m helping in some way to keep communications going.”