WashU Nephrology gives a heartfelt thank you to Paul Roberson for his 40 years of service to the Division.
Roberson, with an associate degree in applied sciences degree in electronic engineering technology, began his career at Chromalloy Kidney Center working as a Special Procedures Attendant in reuse and supply management and then an equipment maintenance technician. In 1994, he became the Chief Dialysis Maintenance Technician and was instrumental in the management of purchasing activities, dialysis machine and other equipment maintenance. He led the installation of the Fresenius T dialysis machines at Chromalloy. In 2020, Roberson took over the role of Manager of Technical Services for Dialysis Operations at Chromalloy.
Roberson is quick to recognize his colleagues. “My team are awesome employees willing to work or do anything that needs to be done, along with my ‘boss’ during most of that time, Jodean Baldauf, Sr. Director, Business Operations & Business Development, who provided insight, guidance and the means to let us get what needs to be done when asked. I wish I had half the capacity of Jodean’s memory. She always made time if you needed her assistance.”
Thinking back on other mentors, Roberson cites the persistence of his first boss, Carol Wertz, who would daily ask him if he had joined the retirement program. “I finally joined just to keep her from lecturing me! I appreciate that now.”
He says that Dr. Dan Coyne is another memorable mentor. “He knew so much about everything. I had to do a lot of reading just to make sure I knew the of water and machines as well as he did. He is the type of guy who, when you ask him a question, will give an answer that you can understand.“ Roberson’s coworker/former boss Rick Hasamear was great to work with as well.
“I still have fun coming to work, even though things are definitely more challenging now than back in the ’80’s and ’90’s.” But when the time does come in the future when Roberson decides to retire, he says, “What I am going to miss is being a part of Dr. Humphrey‘s vision for the Nephrology Division moving forward. I have a feeling we may end up being the largest provider of Dialysis in the St. Louis area.”
He says that being a part of an organization that actually cared is rewarding. “I just appreciate my managers putting up with me when I was a kid and realizing that I had potential. They kept me on when I thought I was moving on to bigger and better things by promoting me to bigger and better things rather than letting me walk. In turn, this gave me the opportunity to send my kids to the college of their choice because of the WashU employee benefit.”
In addition to fulfilling all of his managerial responsibilities and technical duties, Roberson is always on board to help out with other problems as they arose. One request still makes Roberson chuckle after all these years: “Turning on a light switch for a doctor (not to be named) when he thought he needed new lamps or bulbs put in. It was funny.”
Thank you, Paul, for your dedication to WashU Nephrology.
