In addition to her job as a patient service representative at UT Health East Texas Physicians Pediatric Clinic on Fifth Street in Tyler, Christie Henry is a busy mom of six, including two teen boys who love football.
One of their favorite players is Patrick Mahomes, so Henry was thrilled when she learned she was getting tickets to see him speak recently at the UT Tyler Cowan Center.
“When they told me they had chosen an employee to go see Patrick Mahomes and it was me, I was just shocked,” Henry said. “My boys love football, they breathe football, they live football, so it was a great experience for us.”
Leah Dixon, chief operating officer of UT Health East Texas Physicians, said the physician group looks for ways to reward outstanding employees, and the Mahomes tickets seemed like a perfect fit for Henry, who has been with the health system for three years. In addition to the tickets, Henry received a gift card to a local restaurant to complete the evening out with her sons.
“We are constantly looking for ways to reward and recognize our employees and to create an environment for employees to thrive,” said UT Health East Texas Physicians COO Leah Dixon. “Whether that is supporting their career growth through tuition reimbursement and certification opportunities or through recognition of hard work such as with Christie, we want our employees to know we care about them both in the workplace and beyond the walls of UT Health East Texas.”
Henry said she loves her job and she is grateful to work for a company that values its employees.
“I have never experienced or received anything of that nature,” she said. “It was an amazing adventure. It was a great blessing we are forever grateful.”
Henry said Mahomes’ message resonated with her sons Kortland, 14, and Martayvian, 12, who are still talking about what they learned from their football hero.
“He really gave my sons some encouraging words,” Henry said. “He gave them advice about being disciplined, how to be great young men and how they can overcome their fears. He was a great inspiration.”