New Hire Orientation saved her life
Pateresa C., a new face on the UPF Project, had an interesting introduction to the world of construction.
In December 2025, she went through the whole new‐hire process—medical examination, paperwork, and background check.
Every person who drives over the blue line as a new employee becomes a part of history. Whatever connection they have to Y‑12, whether a tie to the past, the community, or a new opportunity, employees find their place as they build the future. Meet the newest craft members on site.
“I was sitting in New Hire Orientation when they called me out of the room. My bloodwork had come back, and they caught something,” she said.
Although she felt fine, Panteresa was shocked when she was told she needed to leave and go to the emergency room right away.
“I ended up at Fort Sanders Medical Center, where I received three pints of blood for severe anemia. They told me that I had a mass under my armpit and they were going to do a biopsy. I knew I had a lump for almost a year, but without insurance, I never had it looked at. Three days later, I had a mastectomy because it was cancer,” she said.
The fear of financial strain had kept her from seeing a doctor, but a new fear set in when she was told she needed treatment for cancer.
“I was really nervous because I had just started this new job and I didn’t know what would happen— would the job still be there? But I think it was all about the Lord’s timing,” she said. “I was looking for a job that would help take some of the financial stress off of me and allow me to breathe easier, and that was what I was able to come back to. It says a lot about my employer.”
Through the UPF Hardship Accommodation Program, Panteresa was able to seek treatment and take time to heal knowing that her job was secure. The UPF Hardship Accommodation Program allows craft professionals to submit a request for a hardship through UPF Labor Relations. It accommodates those facing medical care (if they do not qualify for FMLA), death of a family member that requires more time off than the normal bereavement days, etc., on a case‐by‐case basis.
She returned to work in January and has enjoyed becoming part of the UPF team and building a new career. She drove a school bus for 25 years. Now, as a Teamster, Panteresa drives a route to bring craft professionals to and from the site. She finds driving for construction crews is a lot less stressful than her previous job. The kids tended to be very noisy, not always on their best behavior, and it wasn’t always a stable environment.
She has struck a balance with learning a new role and going to radiation treatment five time a week. “There is a reason I am here,’ she said. “I feel like I am going to be taken care of now, and I am so thankful to be a part of this project.”
Panteresa’s son, Andrew, a UPF foreman with the sheet metal union (SMART), had encouraged her to apply to work at UPF. Thanks to her new job, she’s able to see both her son and a future in construction.
When asked what she would tell people who are considering joining the construction industry, she said, “Don’t be scared to have a new adventure. Take a chance because it could be life‐changing.” Or in her case, lifesaving.