When you meet Allison Speagle, it doesn鈥檛 take long to realize she鈥檚 a natural organizer with a knack for connection. Whether she鈥檚 coordinating major events or fostering relationships with residents, Allison鈥檚 ability to juggle responsibilities shines in her role as Education Manager and Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program Co-Coordinator at 黑料网 Radiology.
鈥淲e are so excited to be promoting Allison into the position of Education Team Manager following her years of work as a co-coordinator of the Diagnostic Radiology program,鈥� says Blair Allan, Business Operations Manager. 鈥淎nyone who has worked with Allison can attest to her kindness, patience, and attention to detail in her role. Allison is a cornerstone of not only the education team but our staff team as a whole, and she brings a positive attitude and smile to every interaction. Allison is always willing to drop what she is doing to help out a trainee or other staff member in need, and embodies the culture we strive for in our staff team and department as a whole.鈥�
Let鈥檚 dive into Allison鈥檚 story and learn more about who she is!
From Weddings to Radiology: A Journey of Discovery
Allison鈥檚 career began with event management鈥攁 field that fit her like a glove. Armed with a degree from Johnson & Wales in Rhode Island, she started as a wedding planner and later took on catering management at a country club. But life had other plans.
鈥淎fter that, I ended up at an orthodontist鈥檚 office doing front desk work, which was a surprising but pivotal step,鈥� she recalls. 鈥淚t taught me to handle busy schedules and led me to my first job at 黑料网.鈥�
From classroom scheduling to diplomas in the registrar鈥檚 office, Allison honed her organizational skills across various roles at 黑料网. Eventually, her path led her to radiology, where she found the perfect balance of structure and connection.
鈥淚 wanted to interact with students more, and this position lets me do just that. Plus, it鈥檚 still within the School of Medicine but on a much more personal scale.鈥�
鈥淎llison is always ready to jump in and help out when someone else needs support,鈥� says Gina Besaw, Diagnostic Residency Program Co-Coordinator
Event Planning Redux
Allison鈥檚 passion for planning hasn鈥檛 gone to waste. In fact, it鈥檚 central to her role in radiology.
鈥淚 organize major events like graduation and orientation, and honestly, it feels like I鈥檓 doing more event planning now than I did in my early career鈥攅xcept for weddings!鈥� she jokes.
Home Sweet Hybrid
Living in North Durham, Allison works a hybrid schedule: two days in the office and three from home. Her living arrangement is as organized as her career鈥攕he shares her house with her retired parents, who live in a cozy basement apartment.
鈥淚t鈥檚 perfect. They have their space, I have mine, and it allows me to be there for them as they get older,鈥� she explains. 鈥淎s an only child, it all falls on me, but I wouldn鈥檛 have it any other way.鈥�
Travel, Paris, and Shopping Sprees
When Allison isn鈥檛 working, she鈥檚 most likely planning her next adventure.
鈥淭raveling is my absolute favorite thing to do. Paris is my all-time favorite place. I鈥檝e been to Paris a few times and have fallen in love with the city more each time. People always say the French are rude, but I鈥檝e never had that experience!鈥�
Her bucket list? 鈥淎ustralia. Definitely.鈥�
And then there鈥檚 her love for shopping. 鈥淚t鈥檚 my weakness. I call it my exercise, though it鈥檚 probably more of a sport,鈥� she laughs.
Rapid-Fire Fun
– Superpower of choice: Flying鈥斺�淚t鈥檇 make travel so much easier!鈥�
– Personal chef or trainer? Chef鈥斺�淚 can鈥檛 cook to save my life!鈥�
– Dream dinner guest: Her grandfather. 鈥淚鈥檇 love to learn more about his fascinating life. I didn鈥檛 get that chance before he passed.鈥�
The Work She Loves
What Allison cherishes most about her job is the human connection.
鈥淚 love getting to know the residents and building relationships. It鈥檚 much more rewarding than just being a name on an email.鈥�
Her favorite compliment? A heartfelt thank-you note and Edible Arrangement from an older couple she helped in a previous job. 鈥淚t was so sweet and unexpected. I still have the note鈥攊t reminds me of the impact we can have, even behind the scenes.鈥�
“Even before Allison joined our department a few years ago, we thought we would be lucky to have her join our team,” says Cody Schwartz, Diagnostic Radiology Residency Program Director. “Since joining our department, that sentiment is true, but she means so much more to us. Not only is she a joy to work with, but she is the heart at the center of our educational programs. We could not do this job without her! Thank you for ALL that you do for our department and education programs.”
Wisdom to Share
When asked what advice she鈥檇 give her younger self, Allison鈥檚 answer is both personal and universal:
鈥淒on鈥檛 stress so much. Things will work out, and you don鈥檛 have to be perfect. Just do your best and let go of the things you can鈥檛 control.鈥�
Wise words from someone who鈥檚 learned to balance a life of planning, purpose, and the occasional Parisian escape.
鈥淎llison has been a pillar of our department since the day she started,鈥� says Janet Zhang, PGY5 Diagnostic Resident. 鈥淪he’s been instrumental in keeping our residency running smoothly. I always love stopping by her office and saying hi too–she’s very approachable and always, without fail, extremely helpful.聽We are so lucky to have Allison in our department!鈥�
Thank you, Allison, for all you bring to 黑料网 Radiology!