Team Lead Operations Chris Crudden shares her love of working with people, travel and a surprisingly steadfast family tradition.
What is your current title and how long have you been with WashU Medicine?
I currently serve as team lead operations for the New Ballas Road office. I celebrated five years with WashU this past April. I previously worked for TLC Laser Eye Center as a front desk representative and in an optometry office before that. I also spent 14 years at AMC Theatres, working my way up from concessionist to manager.
What do you like most about your work here?
I have acquired a lot of experience working with people, and that is what I enjoy most. I also like being part of a team and solving problems for others, especially related to insurance.
If I weren’t in this position, I would probably be assisting families trying to navigate nursing homes/insurance/financial questions. I honestly don’t know what that would be called, but after going through that process with my mom, I feel like it would be nice to help others going through the same thing. That, or I would be running a coffee shop!
What was your childhood like?
I was born and raised in St Louis. However, I do not fit that traditional St Louis question of “where did you go to High School” because I went to boarding school in Nauvoo, IL. I was in the last graduating class as the school closed the year I graduated. After that I attended Avila University in Kansas City.
I moved to Minneapolis and lived there for almost 10 years, working for AMC Theatres and then an optometry clinic.
I returned to St. Louis nine years ago when my mom was diagnosed with dementia and moved into a memory care facility. Laura Steinmetz and I had attended college together, so she referred me for a front desk position at the West County office.
What spare time activities do you enjoy?
I like going to the Tower Grove Farmer’s Market with friends, reading and seeing movies and shows at the Fox Theatre and Muny Opera. At home, I enjoy relaxing – it’s just me and my cat Winky.
Is there a special something at the top of your bucket list, and why?
I enjoy traveling. At the top of my to-do list are Costa Rica, an Alaska cruise and a Christmas Market cruise in Europe. For now, my five siblings and I take an annual trip to Mexico in the winter.
What would your colleagues be most surprised to learn about you?
I have 5 siblings, 13 nieces and nephews and 10 great-nieces and nephews. My dad’s family puts on an annual family reunion over Labor Day weekend. This coming year will be the 99th annual celebration. On average, there are about 225 in attendance. All the activities and meals are overseen by family members. The event started after two of my great-aunts travelled to Europe in 1927 and were in Paris when Charles Lindbergh landed his transatlantic flight. When they came home, they planned a weekend trip so they could share their experiences with the whole family. It has been going every year since!