22 August 2025

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Administrative professional overcomes health challenges to win award

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When you open the door to the Dean’s Suite at Adams School of Dentistry, you are immediately greeted by a warm smile from Administrative Support Associate Monique Hayes. Hayes has held her position for almost five years and calls it her mission to make every visitor feel welcome. She recently won a H.E.A.R.T Award for her outstanding service to the school.

The H.E.A.R.T (“Helping Everyone Achieve Results Together”) award recognizes staff whose contributions to the ASOD community have been substantial and who embody the shared values of service and teamwork.

Hayes began working for UNC Health in 2017 as a financial navigator. She came to ASOD three years later when she heard about her current position. She loves being a part of a team and interacting with students.

“I love to get to know students and see their journeys. They come back after they finish school and thank me for the support I’ve given. It really touches me,” she said.

When Hayes heard she had won the H.E.A.R.T Award, she was shocked. She felt so thankful that she immediately sat down to compose a thank you email to her co-workers. She was emotional and felt her eyes well up with tears as she typed out her thanks. “I enjoy what I do, and the fact that others wanted to recognize me and notice all that I do means so much,” she said.

One of her favorite moments at ASOD was the Halloween party in 2024. The school always puts on a fun event and awards prizes for creative costumes. Hayes dressed as the Invisible Man and loved that none of her colleagues could guess her identity. She is looking forward to this year’s celebration and is already planning her costume.

Hayes is grateful for every day, especially because of the health struggles she has dealt with. In 2020, she was diagnosed with lupus, an illness that occurs when the immune system attacks healthy tissues and organs causing inflammation.

“Discovering I was sick gave me more of a fighter mentality,” she said. “I always say that I may have lupus, but it doesn’t have me!” Hayes has an unfailing positive attitude and is surrounded by an amazing support system.

Family is one of the things that makes Hayes happy. She has two adult children — a son and daughter — and a preteen daughter who is preparing to enter middle school. She has four grandchildren, Jahaira, 14, Amayaa, 7, Ty’jai, 6, and Mikelle, 2. She especially enjoys vacationing with her family. They’ve been on one cruise and want to go again!

Hayes likes to keep busy outside of work and has many hobbies. She lived in Philadelphia for a time and is a huge Philadelphia Eagles football fan. Her favorite players are Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley. She loves to sing because it makes her feel good.

“Music is therapeutic for me. I turn on my music and go into a zone,” she said. Hayes also spends her time taking care of her pets. She has always loved animals and has four parakeets named Iris, Pepper, Bluey and James.

Source: https://dentistry.unc.edu/