Jeanne Clark

The cryptic phone call from Jeanne Clark came a few days before Thanksgiving 2002.Although Jeanne invited me to a seemingly-innocent lunch, she asked me to keep the information just between us.Since Jeanne had recently been named director and editor of Medical Leader and since I worked for the News-Express, it didn't take much brain power for me to deduce the nature of the lunch - she was going to offer me a job.

I had met Jeanne while working in the News-Express' composing department where, as part of my duties, I designed Pikeville High School's alumni newsletter.Therefore, I thought she was prepared to offer me a job in Medical Leader's composing department.

I was wrong.

Although I have a degree in print journalism, I had worked in the composing and advertising departments at the News-Express.But, in the months before Jeanne's call, I had branched out and started writing.Jeanne liked what she saw and wanted me to start writing for Medical Leader.She said I would be writing community-based stories.
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I leave grateful to Jeanne, to Pikeville Medical Center administrators and my vice-presidents, to my former director and editor Laura Charles and to everyone else who afforded me this opportunity to grow creatively.