It’s not every day, three members in the same department announce their retirement, but Anita Thompson, Barbara Pudlo and Bruce Sheppard are celebrating their incredible tenure at Texas Children’s and starting new chapters.
Anita Thompson, senior electroneurodiagnostic technologist, 51 years at Texas Children’s
Anita came to Texas Children’s straight after graduating from Neurodiagnostic school in Galveston and has been here ever since. Celebrating 51 years, she remains one of the most dependable and knowledgeable technologists in the department.
In honor of her contributions over her storied career, late last year, the department introduced a new award for excellence to recognize those who go above and beyond and make a positive impact on patients, and Anita was the first recipient of the award. When she received the award, she reflected on her time at Texas Children’s.
“When you enjoy your work, the time flies by so fast. I feel as if I have been a part of an experience that has been so challenging and fulfilling, I do not want it to end. I have worked with such incredible and talented people who I have seen grow up and will become lifelong friends.”
She will miss all the people and patients she’s interacted with over her 51-year career. One of her fondest memories and a point of pride was when she was honored at the 2024 Employee Recognition Celebration at Minute Maid Park. “It was amazing to walk across the stage, receive the flowers and look up at all the faces in the stands. Celebrating 50 years was quite an accomplishment.”
Barbara Pudlo, END technology specialist, 20 years at Texas Children’s
Barbara came to us from Methodist where she helped establish our world class Epilepsy Monitoring Unit in 2005. Barbara mentored numerous staff members and has won the respect and admiration of her peers as the “go to” person in times of need or seeking advice.
Reflecting on her time at Texas Children’s, Barbara commented, “I’m honored to have worked here. When I walk in TCH and I see families in the elevators and I see my patients – I know I am a little piece of the puzzle helping them, and I’ve been so proud to do so.” While she will miss her colleagues and patients, she knows it’s time for something else. Barbara looks forward to spending more time with her family who lives nearby, especially her children and seven grandchildren.
Bruce Sheppard, electroneurodiagnostic technologist, 20 years at Texas Children’s
Bruce began his career at Texas Children’s in the Security department. He transferred into Neurophysiology when the first class of the internal neurodiagnostic training program was initiated and has been with the department for the last 14 years. Bruce with his calm demeanor and friendly smile has been a great addition to the EEG family.
Bruce’s popularity with patients was evident as he was often requested. He feels his time at Texas Children’s was a stroke of good luck as he fell in to the position and really enjoyed it. He loved meeting and treating patients from different countries. As evidence of his positive attitude, he wasn’t even bothered when called in sometimes at midnight as he said there was always something new and exciting happening. When asked what he will miss most, he said, “I’ll miss the people. I’ll miss the experience of it all and the everyday interactions. Texas Children’s is a good place to be.” His plans after Texas Children’s include “hanging out, traveling, staying active and enjoying life.”
Many of Anita, Barbara and Bruce’s colleagues shared their sentiments for their cherished colleagues:
Dr. Anne Anderson, chief, Clinical Neurophysiology said, “Congratulations to all three – Barbara, Anita and Bruce. Thank you for your many years of service in Clinical Neurophysiology at TCH and your friendship and comradery. You all have been amazing colleagues through over the years. I’ve known Anita since I started my fellowship here and then Bruce and Barbara not that long after – as junior faculty. You have made the service areas you served better places and have taken care of many children and patients at TCH through all your years here. Good luck in the next phase of your lives!”
Leigh Ligas, manager, Neurophysiology has had the pleasure of working with Bruce and Anita for the past six years. She commented, “Bruce has always had a wonderful demeanor, smiling and showing up early and ready for work every day. He’s requested by our VIP’s and has received countless “Caught You Caring” notes from families. Over the years, he has mentored so many students here and outside of the organization. His dedication and solid work ethic will surely be missed.”
Leigh continued, “I have great affection for Anita and have been privileged to work alongside her and continue to learn more about pediatric EEG in my six years at Texas Children’s than I did prior to coming here. She’s seen so many families through life events, starting in the NICU to getting EEGs before getting a driver’s license or going off to college. Families, physicians and colleagues have put their trust in Anita over her many years of service. She was my social director and Buddy and would go out of her way to include me and introduce me to others. She was my first friend at TCH and will be greatly missed.”
Lisa Rhodes, manager, Neurophysiology shared her thoughts on Barbara and Anita’s legacies at Texas Children’s. “Barbara has precepted and mentored new technologists in the EMU throughout her time at TCH. Having homeschooled her own children, she has a knack for breaking down complex concepts so as not to overwhelm our new hires. Barbara’s gentle presence and approach to teaching will be missed.”
She continued, “Anita is one of the most thoughtful people I have ever had the pleasure of working with. She thinks nothing of working through lunch to accommodate a patient from the clinic or picking up an extra shift for a team member who had an unexpected absence. She puts our patients and staff first. The physicians love her for her technical skills, plus she keeps the cabinet stocked with candy! It has been a pleasure and honor to work with her and call her my close friend for over 30 years.”
According to Dr. Elaine Seto, “Anita has a big heart.” She went out of her way to take care of others and has guided and mentored those around her for years. Anita was famous for being the candy lady, handing out sweet treats to the critical care physicians to keep them going.” Dr. Seto recalls knowing her when she was just starting out and said Anita “brought us up right.”
Colleague Adam Malin, electroneurodiagnostic technologist, pondered the number of kids, families and lives Anita has impacted over her 51-year career. His calculations conclude it’s nearly 40,000! He commented, “Wow, that’s amazing! She will indeed be missed and never be replaced or equaled.”
Dr. James Riviello, associate division chief for Epilepsy, Neurophysiology, and Neurocritical Care had kind words to share for all three:
“Anita is one of the EEG technologist pioneers on neonatal seizures. She worked doing neonatal EEGs with Dr. Peter Kellaway and Dr. Eli Mizrahi for her entire time at TCH. Dr. Kellaway established the clinical neurophysiology laboratory at BCM and TCH and he was a pioneer in the entire EEG field. And Dr. Mizrahi has been one of the leaders in neonatal seizures and neonatal EEG, but they couldn’t have achieved what they have without Anita’s assistance.”
“If there is a question about whether there is an electrographic seizure on an EEG, I typically do not go to one of the doctors for an opinion, I show it to Anita. She has seen more seizures than anyone who has worked at TCH. Anita always checks the EEG reports to be sure we have interpreted the EEGs correctly and if not, she will contact us to let us know so we can change the report. She is never wrong. She always makes sure that her patients get the best care. She is definitely one of the reasons that we have a great Neurophysiology program at TCH.”
“Barbara exemplifies the perfect EMU technologist: she is extremely capable, does an excellent job and is always pleasant. In addition, she takes great care of her patients. We shall miss her great contribution to the EMU program at TCH.”
“Bruce is a great example of how we increased the pool of EEG technologists at TCH. An EEG technologist is hard to come by, there are not that many trained. When TCH started its in house EEG technology training program (school), we decided to target pre-existing TCH employees and show them what a great profession it is to be an EEG technologist and then have them start in the program. Bruce started out at TCH in security, entered the tech school and the rest is history! He went on to be one of the most requested EEG technologists by the families.”
Please join us in thanking Anita, Barbara and Bruce for their many years of dedicated care, kindness and leadership! Congratulations on your retirement!
