Staff Spotlight: Tamara Zurita, Budget/Fiscal Analyst

UW Dermatology is fortunate to have a small, but passionate team of administrative staff members whose talent and dedication to our faculty, trainees and research teams help make our division such a great place to learn, work and teach.

Check-out our Staff Spotlights to learn how our staff contributes to our academic, research, patient care and service missions.

Meet Tamara Zurita (she/her/hers), Budget/Fiscal Analyst for the UW Division of Dermatology!

Where did you grow up?

I was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, but moved a lot as a kid. The longest I ever lived anywhere was Westchester County, New York for 15 years. Prior to that it was in Michigan and California.

What is your work and educational background?

I have a BA in Finance from Pace University in New York. My career started when I accepted an internship for a startup software company. That led me to learn more about the hedge funds and Wall Street. I worked for several years at New York hedge funds or administrators for hedge funds.

What drew you to your current role at UW?

I knew I didn’t want to go back to working at an organization that started the day on market time. I did not want to be in the office at 5 or 6 a.m. I love finance so I have a friend, Stephanie Timm, Manager of Dermatology Education & Training Programs, who invited me to apply for the position of Fiscal Specialist. Thanks to Stephanie here I am.

Tell us about your position; what does a typical day look like? 

I’ve recently received a promotion to Budget/Fiscal Analyst which will give me more freedom to pursue my dream analytical role. I get a lot of satisfaction out of seeing the big picture in terms of our division financial health. Since I enter the orders and reimbursements that gives me a better understanding of what each budget looks like. Ultimately, I want to create an awesome tool where the PIs can see their numbers weekly and in a functional format. I’d also like to become an expert in Microsoft Power BI and Tableau.

What’s your favorite memory from working at UW Dermatology? 

I do miss going into the office and seeing coworkers.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

There is not a lot of free time but I enjoy cooking, yoga, relaxing, maybe reading a good book and hanging out with family and friends. If I had a money tree in my backyard I’d pluck what I need to travel Bucket list: Fiji, Argentina, Portugal, Sweden and Japan.