In October 1970, former UBC President Walter Gage brought together University administrative heads and long-service staff members to honour them for their contributions to the University. On that occasion, Dr. Gage directed the Personnel Department to create a club for staff members with 25 years of service at the University and this became known as the UBC Twenty-Five Year Club. The first official UBC Twenty-Five Year Club dinner was held at the Faculty Club in November of 1971.
In 2004, the University began recognizing active members who had reached the additional milestone of 35 years of uninterrupted or accumulated service. This year, the Faculty of Medicine’s very own Donna Rota, VFMP Administrative Director, received this honour.
Rota began her career as a cashier at the University’s Finance Department 1970. Over the years she spent time at the Centre for Continuing Education, the Department of Medicine and the Department of Anatomy before settling at the Faculty of Medicine Dean’s Office.
A working mom to four children, Rota says she had always wanted a career at the University. In particular, she was drawn to medicine because of its ever changing nature. In her years at the Faculty of Medicine, there has always been something new to work on, a project to delve into or a challenge to overcome. However, more than anything, Rota values the working relationships she has fostered over the years. “I’ve worked with some really smart people,” she proudly states with a warm smile.
There have been significant changes within the MD Undergraduate Program during Rota’s tenure. What began as a small department with only five staff members, one Associate Dean and 320 students, has grown into a province-wide enterprise with hundreds of staff and over 1200 students. Rota strongly believes that the program’s success comes down to the unwavering dedication of the people involved. “It’s been critical to have a number of brains coming together to deliver the best solutions for a very complicated program,” she explains. “It is really due to the commitment of the people that work here that it has been successful…none of this has been figured out by just one person.”
Working at the Faculty of Medicine has not been without its challenges. Nevertheless, Rota emphasizes that an environment of collaboration and teamwork has been instrumental in overcoming these. “The challenges have been great,” she says, “but when you think of the number of people who have been involved…it just shows that with everyone working closely together you can often figure it all out.”
Ms. Rota’s future plans are to continue to work with the Faculty of Medicine on the implementation of the renewed curriculum. In her personal life, she and her husband plan to continue their travel adventures. “We were definitely bitten by the travel bug when we went to Italy last year,” Rota laughs. The two are also opening a family-run gelateria in Vancouver, which will certainly be enjoyed by their two young grandchildren.