Meraida Polak, 50 years

Meraida is a Clinical Research Nurse III for the ALS Center at the School of Medicine.

Tell us about your career at Emory.

I started as a Staff Nurse in General, Vascular, and Plastic Surgery at Emory University Hospital (EUH) and was promoted to Head Nurse in Neurology/Neurosurgery in 1976, before Emory Healthcare was established. In 1988, I moved to the School of Medicine/Neurology to launch the Clinical Research Program in Neuromuscular disorders. In 1994, I focused exclusively on ALS research and have continued in this area ever since. I became the Supervisor of a wonderful team of research coordinators and nurses, and together we conducted important projects that led to significant discoveries in ALS. In 2021, I stepped down from my leadership position and am now finishing my career by managing a project that I am very passionate about.

What are some of your favorite Emory memories?

My favorite memories are of getting lunch almost daily when my daughter was an undergraduate student at Emory, where she attended and graduated thanks to our courtesy scholarship. I took three months of maternity leave from my job as head nurse at EUH when she was born.

School of Medicine colleagues celebrating Meraida's baby shower.

What are some of the most significant changes you've witnessed?

By far the biggest change was the creation of Emory Healthcare. This is followed by the development of the electronic medical record which merges the record keeping of the hospitals and the clinics.

What do you miss from “back in the day"?

The Calhoun Oak. A giant white oak tree that sheltered the grounds of our hospital for over a century.

What do you hope for the future of Emory?

I hope for better integration between healthcare and research. In the ALS Center, my little world, the relationship is excellent and productive for patients and for science. I hope for better integration throughout the system in the future.

Anything else you would like to share?

When I first came to interview for a job as a nearly new graduate nurse at EUH in 1973, I entered through the door near what is now the Emergency Department. At the elevators, there was a brass bas-relief of a WWI Emory Nurse, which is still present today. I knew then that this was a place where nursing was valued. In all my years at Emory, my belief has been confirmed. My contributions have always been valued and I am grateful for that. It is not the case at all institutions.