Can’t Have Too Much of a Good Thing

TCDRS Member Anita McDowell has worked in the healthcare industry for more than 43 years and has no plans of stopping anytime soon!

By John Martin

 

When you love your job as much as Ector County Hospital District (ECHD) Employee Health Coordinator Anita McDowell, retirement is often an afterthought. Anita has been working in the hospital industry for over 43 years, and her coworkers have become a second family to her.

“I am very blessed to have the job that I have,” Anita says. “We have a family over here. I love the staff, we have a great team and a great CEO. All of the hospital staff are my babies.”

Anita comes from a family of nurses. She and her siblings count four nurses between them, and as anyone who has worked in healthcare knows, the long hours are not always easy. She’s been all around ECHD in those 43 years, working in the ER and at patients’ bedsides, as well as in Human Resources more recently.

“I love working with staff to assist with their health,” says Anita, who helps organize MCH’s flu clinics.

Anita finds high satisfaction in helping others lead healthier lives. “If someone recognizes me in the grocery store and thanks me for providing their loved ones with care during their time of need, I see that as a big win,” she says.

Anita has amassed more than 43 years of service in nursing.

Though she has been eligible to retire her TCDRS account for many years, moments like these continue to remind her why she does what she does. As long as she’s effective at her job, Anita says she will continue to serve her community in Odessa.

But it’s always nice to know TCDRS is in her corner and her money will be there when she needs it, Anita says. “I recently attended a seminar put on by a TCDRS representative, and he told us a lot about our TCDRS benefit. I think I’m going to be just fine.”

Photos courtesy of Anita McDowell

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