Tamisha, Deryck, Natasha, Renia, Robert, and Tia

As Cook celebrates Black History Month, we wanted to take a moment to share stories and insights from some of our employees. Tamisha, Deryck, Natasha, Renia, Robert, and Tia talk about their Cook stories and some of their ideas for the company in the future, including thoughts on inclusion, diversity, and equity.

So, what is Black History Month?

Each year, since 1976, the United States has dedicated the month of February as a nationally observed celebration of Black Americans and their achievements. Other countries, including Canada, Ireland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom also celebrate and observe a month-long recognition of Black history as well.

At Cook, alongside our annual celebration of Black History Month, we strive to understand and welcome diversity and to be inclusive in everything that we do. To take our diversity and inclusion efforts further, our Equity Task Force ensures that the Cook environment is full of empathy and compassion and free of barriers due to differences. Efforts such as these will help us as a company and as individuals to expand our commitments, to remove barriers, to increase our awareness of equity issues, and to make proactive changes.

—————————————

Tamisha Clark

Vice president and general manager, Winston-Salem

What is your “Cook Story?”
23 short years ago, I applied to Cook Winston-Salem after my current mother-in-law (a manufacturing team member) raved about how much she enjoyed the company and told me that they were looking for engineers. I was in Winston-Salem visiting my boyfriend (now husband) when I received a call from Cook asking if I was available to come in for an interview. After telling them that I was actually in town, I was asked to come in for an interview on Saturday. To my surprise, I received an offer on the spot. I joined the R&D team and had the incredible pleasure of contributing to many life-changing devices. I then became more involved in manufacturing engineering, then manufacturing management, and currently serve as vice president and general manager at the Winston-Salem site. I consider myself extremely lucky to work with a great team who share a similar passion for people and patient outcomes.  

What are you passionate about outside of work?  
When I’m not working, my first love is spending time with my beautiful family. We enjoy camping together in our RV (well, actually it’s probably closer to “glamping”), and our Friday night ritual of eating out. When not with them, I like to shop- shoes are my weakness and the team in Winston-Salem can probably tell you how many pair I own! I also love to dance and serve as youth dance leader at my church as well as spending time with my sorority sisters (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated) making a difference in our community.

What do you want to see for Cook in the future? 
I want to see Cook continue to grow and have a sound presence in the medical arena. The values that our company was founded on are rare and the kind that govern decisions that I would like to see dominate healthcare for the best patient outcomes. I am excited about our direction and believe wholeheartedly that continued efforts to embrace differences within our team will result in even greater innovation to support those outcomes.    

—————————————

Deryck Marks

Human Resource generalist, Park 48

What is your “Cook Story?”
My Cook story started in 2007. I came in as a production coordinator, helped in the Packaging area and worked with the AAA department. Those involved with my training were: Dave Volz, Shawn Lawson, Tony Koontz, the manufacturing management team, manufacturing employees, and other internal departments.

I was formally moved into the AAA department in 2008. I was eventually put into a management position in January 2010 for the Special Sets Radiology department. During this time, I was also working with the HR department approving merit reviews (manufacturing/non-manufacturing). I was also a member of the Diversity & Inclusion team. In March 2015, I moved into an HR generalist position.

My current duties include:
• Recruiting new hires/rehires for manufacturing
• Approving merit reviews
• Equity Task Force member
• Involved with the new hire orientation (manufacturing/non-manufacturing)
• Other duties as assigned

July 2007 – production coordinator
January 2010 – manager, Radiology Sets Catheter
2012 – Diversity & Inclusion member/ D&I practitioner
March 2015 – HR generalist
June 2020 – Equity Task Force member

What are you passionate about outside of work?
Taking care of my family and helping my two sons (28 and 25) be successful in life.

What do you want to see for Cook in the future?
I would like to see Cook continue to create an environment where people are able to succeed in what they do, no matter who they are. I would also like to see all employees having more of an opportunity to advance in the company.

—————————————

Natasha Tull

Administrative assistant, Cook MyoSite

What is your “Cook Story?”
My Cook Story is an interesting tale! Because we don’t have a ton of time (and I don’t want to bore our readers, lol) I’ll give you the cliff notes version: I have been employed with Cook MyoSite for almost eight years (May 2013 hire date). When I first started, I was a production assistant, then production associate within our Production department, working on our AMDC-USR product line. Nowadays, you can find me at the front desk as part of the Administrative department. I am also a part of the Core Business Committee for our Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Program as the committee chair. I take pride in knowing that my actions are positively impacting our work culture and business initiatives. 
 
What are you passionate about outside of work?
Outside of work, I am passionate about making sure I make time for my family. I also love looking at different types of art styles online, reading good books, cooking (Pinterest is my best friend in the kitchen, lol) watching various shows across the streaming sites and HGTV. 
 
What do you want to see for Cook in the future?
I would like to say that I hope that Cook continues to remain a people-focused company in the future. While it is no secret that Cook cares about their employees’ wellbeing, it has never been more evident than in this past year. Listening to the series that was released by the Equity Task Force, has really impacted me in a positive way.They have given voices to different perspectives and allowed others an opportunity to learn through someone else’s experiences. This was a refreshing twist to the standard approach to establishing a Diversity & Inclusion presence and I hope we can continue to see more of it in the future.

—————————————

Renia Foster

PEG department group leader, Cook Winston-Salem

What is your “Cook Story?”
My Cook journey started in 2004. When I went in for an interview and did a tour in different departments, I knew then that this was definitely a place that I wanted to be. My first eight years here, I was an assembler in the Etching department. I will never forget how nervous I was, thinking, “Will I ever learn how to work with such small components?” Yet, I was so eager and determined because these products were so interesting and none of which I’ve ever seen before in my life. Not to mention, we’re making all these different products for a patient that is in need so I knew that I had to build the products as if they were being used on me or a family member. My eight years in the Etching department, I assembled Subs and Finished Good products because I wanted to learn as much  as I could so I was open for any training opportunities that were offered. Little did I know, I received an opportunity to move to Charleston, South Carolina, to pursue, to me at the time, what I thought was a great opportunity. Well, after one whole year, I returned to North Carolina and immediately called Cook Medical to see if they had any job openings. I returned to Cook in 2013, starting back in the Etching department. After one year, I transferred to the  QCP department for four years. Now, I understand how the products are packed and shipped out for Sterilization. Basically, how Production and Post End go hand and hand. Well again, there’s plenty of room to grow, right. I now want to help others in the company as well as the patients. So, currently I am the group leader for the PEGS department. I enjoy being available for my team with any concerns or issues that they may have. And, to do whatever I need to do to lighten the load for them and the department as a whole. My plans are to grow within the company and retire from the company.   
 
What are you passionate about outside of work?
My passion outside of the company is the same as I have for the inside, just a different environment. I enjoy spending quality time with my family, gathering together, and just having a good, laughing time! Family to me is priceless and I savor every moment that I share with them. I will do whatever I can for my family because to me, family is everything.

What do you want to see for Cook in the future?
When we transition to our new facility, I hope that the customer demand will increase and to have more job opportunity for others.

—————————————

Robert Booker

Senior engineer, Cook Vandergrift

What is your “Cook Story?”
This is new to me and the first time anyone has ask me to tell my story. I have been with Cook for over 38 years. I started out in manufacturing doing laser welding and making small parts in the machine shop. I had no background in engineering, machining, or anything that had to do with medical devices. I graduated from college with a BA degree. After several years here at Cook I was unofficially asked to work on the development of a new product. At the time there were not many engineers working here so whoever could help was given an opportunity to try. I took advantage of the opportunity and was successful in designing and developing that product and numerous other products over the years. My main focus was on Lead Extraction and eventually I designed and developed nearly all of the Lead Extraction products, along with making significant contributions to just about every product line we currently produce and am named on numerous patents. As of last year, after over 30 years working in engineering I was officially given the title of senior engineer and recently under new management I have been given the title of Lead Extraction specialist. With no background in engineering I was blessed to be given the opportunities to do the work I have been doing for many years and even more blessed to have found success. For that I am truly thankful. That’s my Cook story.
 
What are you passionate about outside of work?
The same thing I am passionate about outside of work I am passionate about at work, trying to do good and loving others as Christ loved me.
 
What do you want to see for Cook in the future?
What I would like to see most for Cook in the future is something I have never seen firsthand since I have been here, a person of color in a management and leadership position here at Cook Vandergrift. I would also like to see a more transparent view of the way we determine compensation for everyone. That’s part of what this equity thing is about, right, knowing that you are being fairly dealt with and compensated.

—————————————

Tia Reed

MedSurg district manager, Houston, Texas

What is your “Cook Story?”
Kelly Roles saw something in me as a tech that I didn’t see in myself. Kelly was my rep at the time and set herself apart from other reps with her passion for her products. I embody that passion for Cook products and want to continue to spread passion while representing our company’s culture. 

What are you passionate about outside of work?
Better question is what am I not passionate about. To narrow it down I love community outreach, art, and dance. 

What do you want to see for Cook in the future?
I want to see a platform for field based employees that provides a clear route for career advancement.