Staff Spotlight is an initiative sponsored by the College of Pharmacy Staff Council to celebrate the incredibly talented staff within the college and to facilitate awareness and understanding of the unique individuals who make up the pharmacy family. Staff members in a variety of roles and departments will be featured on a rotating basis.

This month, we are learning about Randi Betts, a quality and operational improvement coordinator for University of Iowa Pharmaceuticals.

Tell us about your role at the College of Pharmacy.

I am a quality and operational improvement coordinator for University of Iowa Pharmaceuticals (UIP). So, I am part of the quality team, where we receive raw materials used in the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. We sample the materials for analysis and hold them in quarantine until approved for use. I also perform some of the release analysis on container and closures.

Why did you choose this line of work?

My previous job experience was in manufacturing at a computer manufacturer, Sperry Univac in Clear Lake, Iowa. I held several positions there, including machine operator and quality control inspector.  

Sperry closed the Clear Lake plant and my wife was offered the manager’s job at the Englert Theatre in Iowa City.

After the move, I took a job as a custodian in Quadrangle dormitory and after a few months in the system applied for this position on the job line.

What are your five favorite things?

• Of course my granddaughter, Pipyr, wife, and children.
• My brother is researching our family genealogy, which I find very interesting.
• I love to pedal; I ride to work when the weather allows and have participated in three RAGBRAI’s completing two, the last one in 2014.
• Various types of music: bluegrass, grunge, rock, and country.
• Hawkeye football, it’s kind of contemptuous relationship.          

What is a favorite childhood memory?

My mom passed away Nov. 10, so I’ve been thinking a lot about childhood memories. My most precious is when I was very young, mom would lay down with me to take a nap. I would hold on to her dress, thinking when she got up I would feel her move and wake up as well.

She was always able to leave me while I slept. I would wake up and find her ironing or baking or doing some chore easier done while children sleep.  Memories of my mom are joyful and make me smile, it seems she is just in the next room.

What was your favorite subject in school?

Recess.

Tell us about your photo.

This is a photo of me at a recent Hawkeye football game.