Alumni spotlights

Sixteen years after retiring, Tina McCraw is still reaping the rewards of her involvement with AMGO. And AMGO, in turn, is reaping the benefits of her involvement, reaching its 50-year milestone thanks in part to Tina’s contributions to the organization.

Her membership, which spanned 11 years, included serving as AMGO president from 2003 to 2004. She describes her AMGO experience as deeply meaningful both professionally and personally.

“When I think back about that time, what sticks with me most is the valuable opportunity it provided to talk with people who shared a common bond. It was the networking, the camaraderie, the feeling that you were never alone – and the lasting friendships that resulted from that,” said Tina. She remains close with former colleagues, including Deb (Haeg) Krieger from SUNY – Stony Brook and Bonnie Jacobson from UCLA, and continues to see them regularly despite, in some cases, living on different coasts.

Tina also emphasized the invaluable resource AMGO offers for problem-solving and peer support. “As a member, you have trusted colleagues you can turn to who have lived through your budgeting challenges or human resource difficulties or other common issues. They are there for you, sharing their experiences and providing solutions, advice and encouragement,” she explained. “It’s a level of support you can’t get from reading something on the internet.”

She attended her first AMGO meeting in 1999 after being encouraged by a colleague from UC Irvine. After one meeting, she was “hooked,” said Tina. Over the next decade, she witnessed and contributed to the organization’s growth and its modernization through technology, from the development of AMGOnet, an early discussion board, to the launch of AMGO’s website during her tenure as president.

Her presidency focused on two primary goals, noted Tina. One was expanding membership, including recruiting more Canadian members to grow the organization internationally. “We researched all the OB-GYN departments in the United States and Canada. Then we sent letters to their department chairs inviting their administrators to join AMGO.”

Her second primary focus was establishing a scholarship program for members. “We would pay for things like educational seminars, management training, and professional development opportunities, then recipients would report back to the membership at the annual meeting,” she explained.

Another valuable initiative from her tenure: an anonymous salary survey of all OB/GYN administrators. The results were then shared to help members benchmark compensation and advocate for themselves.

She attributes AMGO’s longevity to the relationships established, the resources available, and the depth of knowledge. “It’s a small, more personal organization, so people don’t get lost in it. I think that’s important and leads to meaningful, lasting connections.”

Tina has remained active during retirement, including serving for six years as a volunteer on the Institutional Review Board (IRB) at Chapman University. She has also travelled extensively, both domestically and around the globe.

Her advice to current and prospective members? “Take full advantage of the valuable information and professional support provided by AMGO and the opportunity to engage with others. Just have fun,” she emphasized. “Enjoy the strong sense of community and the enduring friendships that are sure to develop.”