{"id":12072,"date":"2024-11-25T16:00:30","date_gmt":"2024-11-25T16:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/?p=12072"},"modified":"2024-12-04T16:01:15","modified_gmt":"2024-12-04T16:01:15","slug":"explore-your-alter-ego-what-drives-personal-happiness-can-fuel-professional-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magazines.uthscsa.edu\/mission\/explore-your-alter-ego-what-drives-personal-happiness-can-fuel-professional-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Explore your alter ego: What drives personal happiness can fuel professional success"},"content":{"rendered":"

Learn what inspires some of your colleagues to make lives better, both on and off campus<\/em><\/span><\/h4>\n

 <\/p>\n

Clark Kent and Superman. Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Beyonc\u00e9 and Sasha Fierce.<\/p>\n

Alter egos aren\u2019t only for superheroes and superstars. In a quest to discover the multifaceted personas around UT Health San Antonio, we recently invited our university community to reveal their alter egos. The responses poured in, and we were not disappointed. We were amazed.<\/p>\n

Which raises the question: How well do you know the people you chat with in the breakroom or see in the lecture hall? Each of us is more than our particular focus at work or in the classroom or lab, and often what we do in our off-hours energizes the passion we bring to our work and studies.<\/p>\n

In this compilation of alter egos, learn what inspires some of your colleagues to make lives better, both on and off campus.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Brian Purcell: Texas Highway Man<\/span><\/h4>\n
\"Brian
Brian Purcell, IT security systems architect, Department of Information Technology Security Engineering. Photo by Billy Calzada\/San Antonio Express-News.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

By day, Brian Purcell is an IT security systems architect in the Department of Information Technology Security Engineering who navigates the complexities of its ever-changing technology. But outside the office, he\u2019s better known as the \u201cTexas Highway Man,\u201d a local legend when it comes to all things transportation.<\/p>\n

With a lifelong passion for roads, highways and urban planning, Purcell has spent decades curating his website,\u00a0TexasHighwayMan.com<\/a>, where he shares comprehensive insights into local roadways. His deep knowledge even earned him the prestigious Road Hand Award from the Texas Department of Transportation in 2020 for his contributions to preserving San Antonio\u2019s transportation history.<\/p>\n

\u201cTypically, this award is given to local politicians and community leaders who help champion projects or otherwise have supported TxDOT\u2019s efforts in their communities, so as someone who is neither in the road construction business nor politics, it was quite a surprise and honor to receive this recognition,\u201d Purcell said.<\/p>\n

His interest in transportation was enriched by time spent in Germany, where he gained an appreciation for trains and public transit, a subject he continues to explore through his\u00a0companion website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

With a busy family life and a full-time career, Brian\u2019s alter ego shines as a quiet community resource, helping San Antonians navigate their roads with precision and passion. His knack for directions and his ability to simplify complex transportation issues have made him an unsung hero of the roadways.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kelley M. K. Hitchman, PhD, MS, F(ACHI): Top organ donor<\/span><\/h4>\n

At work, Kelley M. K. Hitchman, PhD, MS, F(ACHI)<\/a>, pairs kidney donors with recipients, helping to save lives one transplant at a time. But her commitment to the cause goes beyond her professional life.<\/p>\n

\"Kelley
Kelley Hitchman, PhD (bottom row, second from the left), on the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro with members of an international Kidney Donor Athletes team.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2021, Hitchman made the remarkable decision to donate one of her own kidneys to a stranger, a life-changing experience that ignited a new personal mission \u2014 scaling the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro as part of an international\u00a0Kidney Donor Athletes<\/a>\u00a0team. Her goal? To raise awareness for the need of kidney donation and to inspire others to become donors.<\/p>\n

\u201cFear holds a lot of people back from donating a kidney, or a portion of their liver,\u201d Hitchman said. \u201cOne of the most vocalized myths is that most folks don\u2019t have the same quality of life and health after living donation. What better way to prove that this myth is just a myth than to climb the tallest freestanding mountain in the world \u2014 with one healthy kidney.\u201d<\/p>\n

She reached the top of the iconic mountain on World Kidney Day, March 14, 2024, in honor of her work and the many lives touched by kidney transplantation.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiving organ donors can continue to live full and active lives in every way,\u201d she said. \u201cI am fortunate to know many donors who participate in marathons, triathlons, weightlifting, cycling \u2014 you name it! Donors continue to live normal lives following donation with no restrictions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hitchman said that most donors are advised to refrain from vigorous activity or heavy lifting for about eight weeks following donation, but after that, \u201clife moves on. I walked around the hospital the day after my donation without assistance,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI did not require any pain medication by the third day after my donation, and I could walk four miles within a week of donation. I continue to work full time, exercise and parent my two children without at all physically noticing that I only have a single kidney. The donation was a wonderful experience for me \u2014 one that I wish everyone could experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hitchman is an associate professor in the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine in the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine and the Mal\u00fa and Carlos Alvarez Center for Transplantation, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Innovation. She is also the section chief and director of the Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics (HLA) Laboratory at University Health.<\/p>\n

\u201cNormal people can do extraordinary things and can keep living full and active lives,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Macie Randol, BSN, RN: Heart Healer<\/span><\/h4>\n
\"Macie
Macie Randol, BSN, RN, registered nurse\u2013intermediate, Wellness 360 Pediatrics, outside of Respite Care of San Antonio.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Macie Randol, BSN, RN, is the dedicated primary care nurse at the School of Nursing\u2019s\u00a0Wellness 360<\/a>\u00a0pediatric clinic, located at\u00a0Respite Care of San Antonio<\/a>, a foster home for children with developmental disabilities and their<\/p>\n

neurotypical siblings. During the workday, she provides primary care services to the children in residence, though her care extends beyond just meeting their physical health needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy heart really grew towards these kids,\u201d Randol said. \u201cI kept thinking, \u2018I don\u2019t have any control over where they came from or where they\u2019re going next, but maybe I can teach them to have faith.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Every other Sunday, she shifts from devoted nurse to faithful guide by leading a voluntary-attendance children\u2019s church program at the foster home in her free time. On those days, toddlers to teens gather in the group home\u2019s large dining room.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe watch a video Bible story and then do a craft or activity together, allowing time for the kids to ask questions or just enjoy some time together. Sometimes, I have three kids join, other times I have 15 kids,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Her leadership has built a sense of community and belonging among the children, creating strong, lasting bonds that go beyond traditional caregiving. Through this experience, the children now see Randol as more than just a nurse. By knowing that time with her isn\u2019t always about a clinic visit, it has helped them feel more comfortable and cared for, both in body and in spirit.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Carlos Hernandez: First-gen overcomer<\/span><\/h4>\n

First-generation graduate and first-year dental student Carlos Hernandez has faced a challenging path to be where he is now, including the experience of his childhood home burning to the ground. Raised alongside his\u00a0seven siblings by a single mother, first in Mexico and then immigrating to the U.S. as a boy, Hernandez learned early on the value of hard work.<\/p>\n

\"Carlos
Carlos Hernandez, first-year dental student, in the School of Dentistry\u2019s simulation laboratory.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Every summer, he and his brothers worked on fields in Indiana to earn money for school clothes, guided by their mother\u2019s wisdom that anything worth having must be earned. His grandfather pushed him to pursue his education by reminding him that without a focus on his future, he could spend his life in those fields.<\/p>\n

Hernandez credits his family and Mexican-American heritage for teaching him resilience, the importance of community and a deep sense of responsibility.<\/p>\n

\u201cI grew up in a household where taking the first step was the hardest part,\u201d he said. \u201cAs a first-generation Latino student, we often don\u2019t have guidance and are afraid to take risks. My mother always told me, \u2018Vergu\u0308enza es que te pesquen robando, no por andar pidiendo ayuda,\u2019 which means, \u2018Shame is getting caught stealing, not asking for help.\u2019 This reminder has helped me overcome fear and push forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

These lessons influence how he approaches life, and now, patient care. For those who, like him, face barriers to accessing health care, Hernandez\u2019s goal as a future dentist is to ensure that all his patients receive the care they deserve, regardless of their background.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Matthew Schott: Volunteer master<\/span><\/h4>\n
\"Matthew
Matthew Schott, MBA, radiation safety specialist, Department of Environmental Health and Safety.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Matthew Schott, a radiation safety specialist in the Department of Environmental Health and Safety, has found a way to live out his values through meaningful volunteer work with the\u00a0San Antonio Food Bank<\/a>,\u00a0Habitat for Humanity<\/a>\u00a0and other organizations. Currently a master\u2019s student studying philosophy, Schott\u2019s academic focus on ethics and human values has led him to explore practical ways to make a difference, and volunteering has provided him with real-world insight into concepts like duty, responsibility and the greater good.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, for me, this was an easy decision,\u201d Schott said after learning that the food bank also services the region of Southwest Texas. \u201cNot only could I help my community, but I could also help smaller communities surrounding San Antonio. The San Antonio Food Bank also works with another nonprofit called\u00a0DaisyCares<\/a>\u00a0that provides for pets. It is incredible what these two organizations can do with the money, food and time that have been donated.\u201d<\/p>\n

Schott has sorted food, organized food drives and served meals. Through Habitat for Humanity, he has worked to build affordable housing, witnessing firsthand the appreciation and hard work of families.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is an incredible feeling to work side-by-side with the future owner of the house you are working in,\u201d Schott said. \u201cThe homeowners and their families are always so grateful for whatever help is there for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

He sees this work as an opportunity to live out his principles through community involvement.<\/p>\n

\u201cFood and shelter are basic essentials, and they are critically important for our survival and well-being. Ultimately, volunteering requires so little on my end, but it offers so much to those in need,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Schott\u2019s goal is to inspire others to join him in giving back, knowing that even small actions can have a lasting impact on the lives of those in need.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Samantha Gonzalez-Davis: Foosball maven<\/span><\/h4>\n

Samantha Gonzalez-Davis, office manager for the School of Health Professions, is very clear about her goal as a competitive amateur foosball player: She wants to win a national championship title.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s no stopping me right now,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"Samantha
Samantha Gonzalez-Davis (right), office manager, School of Health Professions, fist bumps a fellow foosball competitor.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Gonzalez-Davis started playing foosball in 1987 when she met the man who would become her first husband.<\/p>\n

\u201cA year later, we started traveling together. We won our first title. It was mixed doubles. I was just glued. I wanted to do it more.\u201d<\/p>\n

But Gonzalez-Davis stepped away from the sport after her husband died in 1994. \u201cIt was just a constant reminder,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

After a 25-year break, Gonzalez-Davis returned to foosball at the urging of a friend. She now plays goalie and has won awards for her skill in that position.<\/p>\n

\u201cI went back on Feb. 19, 2019, and I have been playing ever since,\u201d she said, estimating that she has competed in at least 2,000 tournaments \u2014 more than three dozen in 2024 alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cI travel. I\u2019ve gone to 17 states,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve played against Canadians, I\u2019ve played against Romanians, I\u2019ve played against Italians. Everybody from everywhere comes. You become family; you become friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beyond the camaraderie and the opportunity to learn new techniques, Gonzalez-Davis enjoys the thrill of competition and the pursuit of victory. To get there, she p<\/p>\n

ractices two to three hours a day at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to win,\u201d she said. \u201cI want people to know who I am on the table. I just want to be able to get on the table and say, \u2018I\u2019ve done it.\u2019 Period.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Jorgie Ann Contreras, PhD, MSN, RN, CPN: Cover band star<\/span><\/h4>\n

By day, Jorgie Ann Contreras, PhD, MSN, RN, CPN<\/a>, is an associate professor\/clinical in the School of Nursing. But in her off-hours, Contreras strikes a different chord. She has been singing since she was five years old, performing everywhere from church and school choirs to talent shows.<\/p>\n

\u201cCurrently, my husband and I are in an acoustic cover band called Wasted Talent. We perform together in and around San Antonio,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

\"Jorgie
Jorgie Ann Contreras, PhD, MSN, RN, CPN, and her husband, Marcos, performing as Wasted Talent.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Her love for music extends beyond the stage, shaping her life as a form of self-care and family bonding. For the past decade, Contreras has had the honor of singing the National Anthem at the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Cattle Sales, and this year she performed at a San Antonio Missions baseball game.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy son plays baseball, and we are huge fans of the sport, so being able to sing at the Missions game was such an honor and so much fun,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Some of Contreras\u2019 most cherished memories include her children joining her to sing and play instruments on stage or at home.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy daughter sings and plays the piano, and my son plays the drums and guitar every now and then,\u201d she said. \u201cDuring COVID, we used to do live shows on social media from our living room to help entertain anyone who was stuck in quarantine. Music truly bonds us as a family.\u201d<\/p>\n

Drawing inspiration from a wide range of artists, Contreras enjoys engaging with audiences by taking song requests to create an unforgettable experience, which even fueled her own educational endeavors.<\/p>\n

\u201cMusic actually inspired my dissertation study for my PhD,\u201d she added. \u201cMy dissertation title was \u2018The Effects of a Music Intervention on Stress, Anxiety and Academic Performance Among New Undergraduate Nursing Students.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Her research found that the students who listened to music experienced a significant drop in their anxiety levels after intervention, which was measured by a test called the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, or STAI. The drop in anxiety was very unlikely due to chance based on her statistical results (p < .001). The same was true when examining changes in anxiety levels, demonstrating music\u2019s positive impact on reducing both stress and anxiety.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Zachary Borrego: Martial arts mentor<\/span><\/h4>\n

Zachary Borrego, a web content producer in the Department of Marketing, Communications and Media, comes from a family deeply rooted in martial arts. Growing up in his father\u2019s gym on the south side of San Antonio, he developed a love for it at a young age, eventually competing in tournaments worldwide. As a teenager, Borrego was selected to represent the U.S. in an international taekwondo tournament in South Korea.<\/p>\n

\"Zachary
Zachary Borrego (right), web content producer, Department of Marketing, Communications and Media, squares up with an opponent in the ring.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cThat was really the first time I saw how far martial arts could take me,\u201d he said. \u201cThe competition is what I\u2019ve always loved.\u201d<\/p>\n

Although he shifted focus to football in high school, which led to a spot on the Angelo State team, his passion for martial arts remained. After graduating and returning to San Antonio, Borrego reignited his martial arts journey. In December 2021, he had his first fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cI ended up turning pro a year later and have been at it ever since,\u201d he said. His dedication and love for the competition keep him focused, and the discipline required for training has taught him valuable lessons that extend beyond the mat, such as respect, humility and a willingness to look beyond first impressions.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think sometimes people just see the fighting aspect of [mixed martial arts]. It does seem very barbaric, and people may think we are some sort of savages,\u201d he said. \u201cMost MMA fighters are the nicest people on the planet and have the utmost respect for every opponent and everyone outside of the cage. It\u2019s just a passion and a desire to be the best you can be.\u201d<\/p>\n

Training to be the best is a challenging process, but one that\u2019s paid off for Borrego. He\u2019s competed on ESPN\u2019s Contender Series, an opportunity to try out for the Ultimate Fighting Championship, or UFC, and has headlined fights in San Antonio, where he said the local support has been overwhelming.<\/p>\n

Borrego also values giving back, especially to fans from the younger generation who look up to him as a role model at his gym. \u201cIt\u2019s a role I\u2019ve slowly embraced and grown into,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Balancing a fighting career with his work in the digital workspace at UT Health San Antonio has been challenging, but his drive to excel in both areas is clear.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow you do one thing is how you do everything,\u201d he reflected, a philosophy that guides him both in the gym and at the office.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What\u2019s your alter ego? Share your story or story idea at communications@uthscsa.edu<\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

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Alter egos aren\u2019t only for superheroes and superstars. In this compilation, learn what inspires some of your UT Health San Antonio colleagues to make lives better, both on and off campus.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":599,"featured_media":12077,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[289,291],"class_list":["post-12072","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"\nExplore your alter ego: What drives personal happiness can fuel professional success - Mission Magazine<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"How well do you know the people you chat with in the breakroom or see in the lecture hall? In a quest to discover the multifaceted personas around UT Health San Antonio, we recently invited our university community to reveal their alter egos. 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