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Betty Belton began her career in TCOM’s early days in their office of admissions. She watched the school morph from a stand-alone osteopathic college into a bustling health science center during her time at the university. The school grew, as did her career when she transitioned from her first role in admissions into an indispensable employee in the registrar’s office.  

“Anything she could do, she would get it done,” said Dr. Thomas Moorman, Belton’s former supervisor. “She was student-centric and did not tolerate taking shortcuts—especially when it came to students.” 

Belton’s can-do attitude was instrumental in establishing the campus’ White Coat Ceremony we see today. She assisted with the grant application process to secure the funding needed to host an annual White Coat Ceremony for the students. During her time, she also oversaw the university’s Commencement from conferring degrees, setting up the convention center to ordering regalia, a task she thoroughly enjoyed. Her role, mostly during Commencement, was a job she was proud of because she was able to see students graduate.  

When asked about her time at the HSC, she described the atmosphere as supportive and encouraging. She spoke fondly of her role in the registrar but pointed to a specific time in her career when she was diagnosed with breast cancer, where she was proudest. “It was a highlight to work there. It was wonderful and unbelievable to have all of your physicians there to help you, assist you and encourage you,” Belton said. “It was a nice environment for them to embrace you during that time.”  

Thanks to her efforts during the White Coat Ceremony and Commencement, former students celebrated important milestones during their career. Dr. Moorman said she did a lot for the students. Based on Belton’s personal experiences, she said they did a lot for her, too.  

“We were like a family. It was close-knit. From the students to the President,” Belton remembered, “it was unreal.”  

Betty Belton retired from HSC in 2010.

Honor your HSC hero today! Please make a tribute gift, submit a photo or share a story that you value. Join us throughout 2020 as we celebrate the people, events and innovations that made UNTHSC all it is today — and look ahead to the next 50 years. For the 50th anniversary, team members nominated people whose contributions make them HSC Heroes. Each week, a new Hero will be revealed. View the list of all our Hero profiles published so far this year. There is a new one each week.

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