Carol Humber came to work at UAB almost 25 years ago as a temporary employee in the Center for Developmental and Learning Disorders, now known as the Sparks Center.

“I always tried to put my best foot forward, worked hard and treated people like I wanted to be treated,” Humber says. “I tried to show respect and kindness, because it always comes back to you.”

Those characteristics have carried Humber through positions in Purchasing and the Vice President’s Office to her current post as administrative associate in the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology. Co-workers praise Humber’s thoughtfulness and her communication and problem-solving skills as a few of the reasons she is a worthy selection as April’s Employee of the Month.

“Mrs. Humber is without question one of the most dedicated and thoughtful employees I have worked with during my many years as a research scientist and a physician,” says John Mountz, M.D., Ph.D., professor of clinical immunology and rheumatology and Humber’s supervisor.

Humber coordinates numerous duties for Mountz and Associate Professor Hui-Chen Hsu, Ph.D. She supervises one administrative employee and takes supervisory responsibility as necessary for Mountz’ research staff to ensure efficient operation of his laboratory. She also performs a number of administrative functions for a number of people in the lab, including research technicians, students on rotation and postdoctoral fellows.

“Her workload is enormous, but she carries out these duties with the highest degree of skill, speed, commitment, reliability, dependability and an unfailingly positive attitude,” Mountz says.

Mountz is the co-director of the Center for Aging Basic Biology and for the Bone Center, and he is the director of the RDCC P30 and the FACS Core. Humber is responsible for inviting speakers, arranging travel and meetings for outside visitors and prepares briefing material for these meetings.

Hsu says Humber’s work with visiting scientists, physicians, administrative personnel of other institutions, patients and sales representatives enables work to proceed in a precise and cordial manner because these individuals know their opinion is respected and will be considered.

“In this environment where efficient and fast interactions are necessary, I have increasingly encountered situations where thoughtfulness and respect have been lost,” Hsu says. “However, in the many interactions I have seen with Mrs. Humber dealing with difficult people or situations, she places the highest value and utmost respect and courtesy to the individual. She does this while executing tasks with high speed and efficiency. This enables tasks to be completed very quickly while maintaining trust and friendship.”

Colleagues say Humber’s organizational skills keep paperwork flowing throughout the department on or ahead of time — a critical trait for a department that must meet numerous deadlines for grant submissions, manuscripts, journal reviews and peer-review grants among others.

“This is one job where you can’t procrastinate,” Humber says. “You have to do those tasks that you know are two to three weeks in advance. You have to do as many of those as possible because there’s always something that’s going to come up that requires urgent attention. I try to make sure the office runs smoothly so Mountz doesn’t have to worry about anything in here. Then he can spend as much time in the lab or communicating with his lab members as he can afford.”

Helping with grants
Researchers say the current success rate for being awarded a grant is about 10 percent — down from the past success rate of 15 to 20 percent. Despite this statistic, immunology/rheumatology has brought in grants totaling approximately $30 million during the past eight years.

Brett Scullen, director of administration and financial affairs in immunology/ rheumatology says Humber’s organization and attention to detail has been key to the 30 grants awarded to the department during her tenure. Scullen says Humber has strongly contributed to the success of those grants.

“Her efforts have led to a substantial level of successful funding for specific research labs and for the division,” Scullen says. “Mrs. Humber is one of the most consistent and persistent employees in the division.”

Humber’s co-workers do their best to assist her when she needs it, too. Humber recently missed a week of work after her husband Joe had major surgery at UAB Highlands, and she says others in the division stepped in to help while she was away. 
“I love the people here,” Humber says. “They’re family.”