Tara Davis Thrives as Neurology Grows

Tara Davis enjoys her work in the Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences so much that when dinnertime comes around, it’s not unusual for her to still be talking about the day’s events. A Northwestern employee since 1991 when she started as a clerk typist, Davis is now both a department research administrator and assistant to Chair Jack Kessler, MD, who is driving an intensive research effort in stem cell studies at Northwestern.

Of course, Davis is not alone in being guilty of shop talk in the evening. Husband Percy is an agent for the Department of Homeland Security, which takes him on regional trips to thwart terrorism threats. His line of work also leads to fascinating stories and anecdotes.

"We might be sitting down to the table and still be excited about something that happened," Davis says. "Then we laugh and say, 'We have to stop.' It happens all the time."

Such after-hours enthusiasm is a testament to the vitality of her work in neurology, where she has seen the department grow dramatically in her time at Northwestern from 10 full-time faculty members in 1999, before Dr. Kessler came on board a year later, to 22 full-time members today, with a new recruit expected on October 1.

"When Dr. Kessler became chair, he let everybody know his expectations," Davis recalls. "He said he was going to double the size of the department and laid out a number of goals. Everything that he said he was going to do is coming to fruition now."

Providing administrative support to a department as it doubles in size has been challenging for everyone, Davis says, but it has also helped her learn how to thrive in a high-pressure environment, face uncertainty in a strategic manner, and multi-task, something she gets plenty of opportunities to do in both her positions. Overall, she spends 40 percent of her time providing support to Dr. Kessler and the other 60 percent doing research administration.

With Dr. Kessler, she is responsible for the daily upkeep of his calendar, faculty administration, faculty recruits, and day-to-day business operations. As a research administrator, she focuses on personnel, payroll, lab management, and grant administration for four faculty members: Dane Chetkovich, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neurology; Jaime Grutzendler, MD, assistant professor of neurology; Dr. Kessler, who is the Benjamin and Virginia T. Boshes Professor of Neurology; and Puneet Opal, MD, PhD, assistant professor of neurology.

"I can look back at the transition we went through as a department and say that we've learned and grown from it," she says. "For example, we've become more detailed and organized when reaching out for help."

Working closely with Dr. Kessler and seeing his devotion to his job and family has been a constant source of inspiration for Davis. In 2001 Dr. Kessler's 15-year-old daughter, Allison, lost virtually all movement below the waist in a skiing accident. As a result, Dr. Kessler changed his research focus from nerve disorders to stem cell treatments for paralysis.

"When you're working with someone whose passion is to find a cure for spinal cord injuries, especially with his daughter, you realize how important the research is," Davis says. "The whole mission is so amazing."

Like Dr. Kessler, Davis regards family as one of the most important priorities in her life. She and Percy have three children: Taryn, 19, Percy Jr., 16, and Ryan, 15. Daughter Taryn lives in New Orleans. "My husband, the boys, and I try to do something one day out of the weekend together, whether it's movies or bike riding," says Davis. 

Davis also keeps busy as an English major in Northwestern's School of Continuing Studies and as an avid gardener---she's especially fond of red caladiums---in her family's Highland Park home. Perhaps the biggest highlight of the year for Davis is her family's annual reunion, which includes an extensive planning committee. This year's event was in Houston, and next year's is planned for Memphis.

"The best part is when everyone has Saturday morning breakfast together. Afterward, the men play basketball, and the women go shopping," she says. "On Saturday evening, we have a big dinner at a hotel banquet hall."

Is it a lot of work? Davis laughs, then answers with the same resolve she applies to her job at the Feinberg School. "Yes," she says, "but we like to be organized."