July 08, 2024
Meet Kamilla McGhee
Musculoskeletal Research Center - Core Administrator
Where are you from? 
I’m from St. Louis. I met my husband after college and once we married, we moved a little south to Arnold. We’ve been married for 23 years now and have two kids. Our son, Cory, is 20 and will start his junior year at Mizzou in August. Our daughter, Kailey, is 18 and will start her freshman year at Mizzou this August also! Now my husband and I have to find some hobbies and activities to fill our time. The last 20 years have been running kids around to school and sports activities, now we have free time and plan to enjoy it!
What brought you to Washington University Orthopedics?
I worked in a cardiac research unit at BJC immediately after college. I left to work in industry for a few years, until my son was born and I decided that I wanted to stay home with him full time. After a few months, I was having lunch with a friend from the cardiac research unit and she mentioned that they would like me to come back, even if it was part-time. I decided it would be nice to be back in the office part time! So, I went back to work (part-time) in the cardiac research unit, but as a WashU employee this time. I was looking ahead at the college benefit it would provide for my kids, and couldn’t pass it up.
After a few years, a decrease in grant funding meant that I needed to find another position. I found my current position in Orthopedic research immediately and it was a great fit, very similar to what I was doing in the cardiac research unit. The Musculoskeletal Research Center had just gotten a P30 grant and needed a Core Coordinator. I’ve held the position from its inception, and couldn’t be happier with the people that I work with! I have such a great team, everyone is so kind and supportive. I’m celebrating 20 years with WashU this September!
How do you support the department?
I’ve held the position of Core Coordinator for the Musculoskeletal Research Center for 15 years now (hard to believe it’s been that long!). The MRC’s primary goal is to support research in the development, implementation and evaluation of animal models for musculoskeletal biology and medicine. This support comes in the form of Core services (histology & morphometry, structure & strength, and animal models) as well as data sharing and education through seminars, symposiums, a website, newsletters, etc. I coordinate all of those activities. The position has grown quite a bit since I started and has many different facets. But I enjoy the wide range of functions that I perform, and I’m always learning.
What aspect of your work do you find most interesting and rewarding?
I love that I don’t do the same thing day after day. Sometimes a request is thrown at me, and I have no idea how to make it happen. It might be an issue in Workday, or a request to add a new feature to the website. Whatever the request, I really enjoy digging in and finding a solution and making it happen!
What is your favorite thing to do outside of work? 
I love to travel! My family has been very fortunate and have been able to travel extensively. Whether it’s relaxing on a beach for week and doing nothing, or walking several miles a day for two weeks in Italy to see everything we possibly can, we enjoy it all! In my opinion, you can’t replace the memories you make with family and friends when sharing those experiences.
What is the best advice you have ever received?
Nothing earth shattering…just treat everyone the way you want to be treated. If you treat others with respect and kindness, most of the time it will be returned to you.
If you weren't in healthcare, what would you like to be doing?
When I was younger, I would have been in graphic design. I can get lost for hours in Photoshop! At this point in my life, I would love to be involved in interior design. I’m an HGTV junkie! I love a good home project and would really enjoy taking that love into a professional setting. I enjoy looking at a space and re-designing it for maximum usage and functionality.
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