When Joyce Williams was offered a temporary job in 1968 at the old Carter County Memorial Hospital she wasn’t even looking for employment.

“I had three small kids to take care of. I already had a job,” she said. However, she recently celebrated 50 years of employment at the hospital.

She explained she had gone to the unemployment office with her husband, Joe, who was looking for a job. “Jack Hathaway, who was over the office at that time, told us he didn’t have a job for Joe, but had one for me, and it was at the hospital in dietary. I argued with him a little bit, but decided I would check it out. I went to talk to them that day, and after I got home they called and asked if I could come to work the next morning?  They then asked if I had a hair net. I told them ‘no,” but my mama had some. I would get one from her. So, the next morning I went to work,” Joyce shared about her unexpected job at the hospital.

She began in dietary as a salad maker, and then went to the snack bar. Soon after that, there was an opening in clerical and she was able to transfer. “That’s where I’ve been ever since,” Joyce said.

“I remember a Mrs. Snodgrass hired me, and was very good to me as was almost everyone else,” she said.

In her job, Joyce works three floors. “I take care of all the charts, make appointments, call consultants for doctors, order all supplies, take care of the paperwork as well as the copier,” she shared. That’s just a few of the many things she does. In fact, she keeps up with everybody and everything. If a doctor or nurse wants to know something about a patient, they go to Joyce.

During her 50 years at the hospital, she has seen a lot of people come and go, including doctors and nurses, as well as changes in the workplace. “The biggest change has been technology — the computers. Everything is on computers such as patient information, charting, and doctors’ orders and diagnostic reports. It has made a big difference in how records are kept,” Joyce explained.

When Carter County Memorial was closed, and the new Sycamore Shoals Hospital was opened, Joyce moved to the new hospital.

“I’ve enjoyed my work at the hospital. I’ve met a lot of people, made a lot of friends and seen a lot of changes. I think one of the biggest losses was the closing of the birthing center and its move to Franklin Woods. It was so convenient for people in Carter County. We had a lot of babies born at Sycamore Shoals,” she said.

Another big change she has witnessed is the hiring of hospital doctors. “Very few doctors make hospital calls now. Patients are seen by the hospital doctors. Before they leave the hospital we make them an appointment for follow-up with their primary care physician,” Joyce added.

She had nothing but good to say about the nurses at Sycamore Shoals. “We have a lot of good nurses. They really care about the patients and most go out of their way to make patients comfortable and see to their needs. I would put them up against nurses at any hospital,” she said.

Joyce is married to Joe Williams and they live in the Valley Forge community. She is the mother of four grown children — Robert, Marilyn, Keith, and Mark. She also has two grandchildren, Madison and Jessica.

Does she plan retirement any time soon? “I plan to work as long as my health is good. I enjoy my work and the interaction with the staff and the people who pass through the halls on their way to visit patients,” she said.

A couple of weeks ago she was recognized by hospital staff with a reception and a special cake recognizing her half-century of employment with the hospital.

She continues to be a vital part of the hospital staff.