Denise Coston, administrative associate for Nick Van Wagoner, M.D., and Todd Peterson, M.D., is a vital member of Medical Students Services (MSS). She has been employed by UAB for a total of 35 years, and she has served MSS for the last 20 years. She was nominated to the inaugural cohort of Medical Education Unsung Heroes by Brook Hubner, Ph.D., director of Academic Success, and Jason Noah, program director for Student Success.

“Every office needs someone to be the heart of the team,” said Noah. “That is Denise.”

According to Noah, she leads with her heart for both the medical students served by the office and her fellow MSS staff. “It’s the way she serves and puts in the hours. It can be something as small as her recognizing that everyone in the office needs words of affirmation in tense weeks.”

Hubner noted she is also like the “MacGyver” of MSS when it comes to knowledge and resources. Coston’s 20 years of experience serving within the office has made her an invaluable go-to for information. Her meticulous record-keeping allows her to recall historical and sometimes obscure answers at a moment’s notice.

What stands out most about Coston, however, is her commitment to caring for the needs in front of her without fanfare. Hubner and Noah both pointed to instances over the years when Coston knew of students with food insecurity, and she discreetly used her own personal resources to ensure the students had food. Noah also recalled a time that a student could not afford a jacket for the winter, and Coston provided one from behind-the-scenes. He said these moments are only a couple examples of many over the years that illustrate how much Coston cares about the wellbeing of the people around her.

Thinking about the impact Coston has on the lives of the people within Medical Student Services, Hubner smiled and said, “If there is an immediate need in front of her, she solves it. She’s just a good soul.”