Staff members at Washington University School of Medicine’s Department of Surgery are essential in supporting the institution’s mission of excellence in clinical outcomes, research and education. By providing various management, administrative, technical, financial, marketing and communications needs, staff members allow our healthcare professionals to serve patients in the most efficient way. Meet one of the department’s staff members, Ken Wamsley, below!
Ken Wamsley is the IT Director for the Department of Surgery. He is from Salt Lake City, UT, and loves to travel and spend time with family. Ken is also a Microsoft Certified System Engineer (MCSE) and a Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT).
Could you provide a description of your job?
I have two primary job roles – one focusing on IT, the other on Marketing and Communications.
For the IT side, I work to coordinate IT services and delivery for the Department of Surgery. This includes equipment, software, storage, security, and so on. I also function as an escalation point when additional attention is needed in certain matters.
For the MarCom side, I support and assist our team with efforts around websites, social media, patient education, newsletters, and other related matters.
How long have you worked at the Department of Surgery?
11/07/2005 – 16 years
What brought you to WashU?
I came for a consulting job for an email migration/ training the WashU staff on the new server systems. Offered job to “stay” and the rest is history!
What is your favorite thing about your job?
The help and impact we give in indirect ways to support our faculty and staff in their jobs. (Which ultimately helps our patients.)
What is your favorite thing about your coworkers?
Their drive to learn, grow, and commitment to excellence!
When have you felt most proud of your work?
When a patient makes a successful connection to our services –
And receives whatever care they need from our faculty and staff.
What is your favorite thing about living in the St. Louis metropolitan area?
Love the food, the variety of things we can do and see, not too big and not too small, and most of all the people!
What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Going for walks outdoors with my wife, trying out new restaurants, watching a good action movie, and of course, playing on computers!
What’s a fun fact about you many people may not know?
I taught swimming lessons all through high school and college. (Helped fund my college years.) Taught very young to mature to disabled as well.
Also, my family is originally from New Zealand.
If you were a surgeon, what kind would you be?
Cardiac surgeon – because I believe your heart defines who you are as a person.
Do you have a mantra you live by or piece of advice to share?
Try to remember every day is a gift and celebrate it in some way. (Which is why if you know me, you know I try to say “happy Monday” or happy whatever day it is as a reminder to myself and others.)
Ken mid-air while skiing in 1991. 
Ken riding a horse in 1987.