A Life-Long Learner: Maria Bachini
1970–1980
Learning, of course, is what it’s all about for students at MIT, but learning permeates the culture for MIT employees as well. For some employees, the ability to consistently learn new things results in an environment that leads to long careers. This is where Maria Bachini comes in—Bachini celebrated 50 years at the Institute in May 2015.
Bachini arrived at MIT in 1965, joining the Physics Department as a secretary. She worked in a combined academic/research setting, supporting a professor of physics who also ran a research group. She remembers it as a “great learning experience.”
After 16 years, she moved to MIT Medical, where she was secretary to several clinicians in the Internal Medicine Service. She became the assistant to Dr. William Kettyle in 1994, when he was named associate medical director. As Bachini recalls, when she started at Medical, she “didn’t know a femur from a fibula.” The transition went well, in part, because she knew the people at Medical through her position in Physics (as part of her role, she had escorted research participants to Medical).
Bachini says she has been fortunate to work for a lot of colleagues from whom she has learned—and who provided a workplace where she flourished.
Bachini supported Dr. Kettyle, who became medical director in 2000, in a full-time capacity for more than 20 years. As an executive assistant, Bachini is widely recognized for her sharp mind and tireless energy in getting the details just right. Dr. Kettyle retired as medical director at the end of 2015, but their partnership continues on a part-time basis.
Bachini notes that MIT is a wonderful place, and “the people are fabulous.” Funny, that’s how Bachini’s colleagues would describe her.
Photo: MIT Medical
Next 1980–1990: Yvonne Gittens
Presented by Human Resources at MIT
Sources
MIT Medical. “The quintessential Maria Bachini.”
MIT News. “Kettyle to step down as medical director of MIT Medical.”