In celebration of April’s Administrative Professionals’ Day, get to know Tonja Rhule, administrative staff specialist for the non-invasive cardiology team at the Pauley Heart Center. Tonja is just one of several administrative professionals who coordinate and support the work of our cardiologists and surgeons across Pauley. “Our fantastic team of administrative professionals here at Pauley keep us on track, every day,” said Pauley Heart Center Director Greg Hundley, MD. “We have not and cannot move forward without them.”

Name & title:
Tonja Rhule, Administrative Staff Specialist

Location:
I work in the Heart Station on the second floor of the VCU Health Gateway Building.

Where are you from?
I moved to Virginia from Dallas, Texas in 1999.

What is your role at the Pauley Heart Center? What do you hope to contribute to the work & mission of Pauley?
I provide administrative support to the non-invasive cardiology team, which is comprised of 15 physicians. This includes our offsite locations Tappahannock, Community Memorial Hospital in South Hill, and Williamsburg. As the non-invasive admin, my goal is to take as much as I can off my physicians’ plates so they can concentrate on patients and more important things.

What makes you most excited about working at Pauley?
It’s nice to know when I show up at work, I can rely on a great team of my fellow cardiology administrative assistants—I work closely with the entire team, and we provide each other support, morale, and tips. We recognize each other’s challenges, and we know the importance of helping one another. I also work with an outstanding team of doctors who are passionate about what they do and who make a positive impact on everyone around them.

Name one fact about yourself that you think surprises other people.
I played softball for 40+ years. Retired four years ago.

If I could have my own “walk up” song, it would be:
“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars

I can’t believe more people haven’t read:
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius

What is the best advice you have ever received?
No one is in charge of your happiness but you.